Hi,

I've been driving a Volvo V40 for a while and the only real problem I've had is a hell of a strange electrical issue. It's hard to describe but I'll do my best to be concise. There are two ways it'll happen, the first one is when I'll get in the car and either no lights on the dash show up or they are very dim and the car does not start. Sometimes it starts working after time, other times it starts working after doing something random like pressing the brake pedal (first time the breakdown occurred the dash lit up the very instant I touched the pedal, so unlikely a pure coincidence), but the one thing that so far has fixed it every time completely baffles me. It seems the only solution is to remove a battery lead and have someone lightly touch it to the terminal and while it barely touches the dash will light up and the engine can be started but if it's more than just barely touching the dash goes dark and the car will not start. After doing this, so far there has been a 100% success rate and the issue has not reoccured for weeks after.

The other way this issue surfaces can occur while I am driving. Usually, but not always, a light will appear on the dash, frequently the airbag or traction control light, and the engine will occasionally shudder and lurch. After a while of this shuddering and lurching the car will usually die either while being driven or after being turned off will not turn back on and will exhibit the same symptoms as described in the last paragraph. The same battery terminal trick fixes this too.

The car hasn't died for many months now after I changed the battery after the old one wouldn't hold a charge but it has had part of the second issue recur (shuddering and lurching with warning lights on but not dying, usually at drive throughs when I turn the engine off to conserve fuel) but I know the issue cannot be entirely pinned on the battery, something else must be malfunctioning for it to behave like that. Does anyone know what could possibly cause such a strange electrical fault? Any information at all would be greatly appreciated as I would like to eventually get to the root of these problems.

Thanks in advance!

Car details: 2001 Volvo V40 2.0T, 5 Speed automatic transmission

 

That sounds like a serious nuisance. Have you had your alterna tor tested? In addition ther is something that is often referred to as "the loom of death" that might cause some thing like that. I have not had personal experience with this loom but if you do an Internet search I know that t is often referred to on the volvo uk forum. It refers to a wiring loom that often corrodes and creates all sorts of havoc. it is located in front of the radiator

 

I'm inclined to think its the ignition switch going bad - that would account for the loss of dash lights and the engine shutting down. Another part that may be a cause is the central electronic module (CEM) which is an interior part containing relays etc. As noted it can also be connectors and wiring.