Oddest thing, I drive my 04 T5 to gas sation, turn it off, come back, go to start it, turn the key and nothing happens. The lights, radio and fan come on. It's NOT the battery. I raise the hood, like there is anything I can do at this point of being stranded. I go in and out of park/drive and everything else, still w/n start. Decide to call tow truck but try one more time and it starts like nothing wrong. It has pulled this crap twice in the last 5K miles (it has 46K miles). SOmeone suggested gas and/or heat could cause the engine to run backwards when turning off which locks starter. Any clues?

If that is really what it is, then I should be able to hammer the starter light to unstick it. So where is the starter???

 

The starter will be bolted to the bell housing of the transmission. I am not real familiar yet with my volvo either, but I think they are upfront behind the elec. fan ... if not, directly on the other side towards the back of the truck. If there is a clicking sound, that is ur battery. If u turn the key and noting happens, then its ur started, or a starter issue such as a solenoid. Also, make sure your vehicle is in park. Another issue could be the neutral/safety switch. Or a faulty ignition switch. It could be many things ...