I have an XC 90, 2006. The day the car turned 100 K miles I have been having starting issues. From a non-car lingo person I have replaced battery, spark plugs, immobilizer antennae, PEM unit, something to do with the fuel pump, timing belt, amongst other things, trying to find the issue. After the six visit to the dealer, I thought we had finally found the issue… Now two days later only to have it not start again. The dealer has been incredibly awesome trying to help, I wonder if it's a lost cause. At this $3k into these fixes... The Car will just turn over and over and over and over for 15/20 seconds until I release the key. It just doesn't seem to want to catch and actually start. sometimes it'll start right away to then just die. Feels like it is a fuel issue. There appears to be no rhyme or reason when it is not going to start. Has anyone had this issue or can give me a tip what to look for next? I am collecting videos every time it doesn't start so I have plenty of examples…

 

the dealer (or any pro mechanic) should be able to confirm whether it is fuel related with a fuel pressure gauge. you can also just squirt some starter fluid into the intake to confirm it is fuel related (i'd probably pull the air filter, squirt fluid, reinstall filter). it could be as simple as a clogged fuel filter or bad gas.

 

Thank you so much for your response! I have been told that the fuel pressure is fine, though you mention the fuel filter, and I wonder about that. I will ask tomorrow. It is back in as the dealer and they have diagnosed that the PEM unit that they replaced a few weeks ago was faulty, so they are replacing that again. Also the car is throwing a code for the starter. I wonder why every time I go in it's a different code, and we don't get all the codes at one time? Also back to your comment about the fuel filter, I almost feel like they rely solely on codes and not symptoms even though they do ask for detailed reports of my symptoms. This is now my seventh visit and I don't know how much more I can dump into this car without some confidence that we have actually found the issue. I can say that at this point the car feels like it starts better when cold and much less reliable once it's warmer for example after shopping visit or sporting event. Thank you again for your help, I will ask about the filter tomorrow… Any other ideas what would cause a turn on and off and then long crank after being warmed, let me know! Thank you!

 

i've heard crank position sensor can sometimes work when cold but not when hot. one way to troubleshoot is when it is not working to put some cold water on it. I'm not even sure where it is on the xc90 though.


if they checked fuel pressure it is probably not filter but filter is cheap and easy. there is some kind of fuel pump controller that I've seen posts regarding it causing problems in some models. that may be what you are saying they replaced already (or maybe a relay)

 

Hi, I had the exact same problem with my Volvo s60, 2.5T, 2007. I found that the throttle body was very dirty. Then I cleaned it and problem solved. Also assure all air pipes and hoses are well connected, no leaks
Try this, It worked for me.

Regards