Purchased this car from a friend (for next to nothing with 85K miles -every and all recommended services were always done on this vehicle!! , , i would say at unusually high maintenance expense!1)). .with full knowledge of the continuous problems they have endured with it not starting.
They purchased it about 2 yrs old from the manager or dealer rep of the local Volvo dealership . . .they had it for approx 6-7 yrs . .always a problem.
I purchased it in Dec 2008 and have put over 3K into repairs . .the electrical/starting problem still persists (Repairs involved various other issues as well . .
It has not started now prob 7 times in the last 2-3 weeks.
I'm so frustrated I have been online now over 5-6 hours today and m very excited to have found your site but I'm too exhausted at this moment to list all the repairs that have been done to try to cure the problem . . and ll the $$ spent to have people troubleshoot piossible shorts etc.
I can tell you it has had batteries replaced within only about 13 month , same with the alternator (which would be the thirdalternator!)which I just replaced .had been repaced 13 months earlier . .(of course only a 12 mo warranty) , battery cables replaced, just did the air mass deal and immediately the CEL (Check Engine Light) went on again . code indicated some kind of barometer was bad).but someone said maybe the car doesn't quite realize - this was a mechanic- that the air mass has actually been replaced -he turned off the CEL . .and it didn't come on again . . YEA . ) I'm saying Yea as theyCEL has never stayed off since I've owned the car for more than 10-14 days after it been serviced . . never!!!(prior owners had same constant problem with the CEL constantly on!) it has been a couple months now and no CEL on at all !!!!! the longest time ever!!. . not even now when it fails to start . .Takes a jump immediately . .battery tests fine . .sometimes it is toally dead and other time accessory equipment that was left on will come on for a split second then its totally dead . .after being jumped I can drive as little as a couple miles stop at the grocery and it starts fine when I come out and for another 2-3 days -sometime weeks . . nothing makes sense . . .usually these episodes do not require that I reset the radio and clock (as you do when you change bateries and totally unconnect electrical system . .but once out of the recent 6-7 non-starts did require I reset both of these . .weird . .and that also happened once several months ago . .when I had like three other incidents in a row . .then fine for 6 weeks or so . .
The independant volvo mechnic that I'm currently trying is beside himself ( used to go to his dad for prob 15 year when I had three different P1800's ). .he pulled door panels and got wiring diagrams to try to trace shorts, resolddered a batt cable , found a few sort-of loose wires into the fuse box, did the new alternator and I can remember what else .that was in January , ,no problem for about 5 month . .now its back with a vengence . I'm scheduled to take the car in again tommorrow and decided this a.m there has to be an answer somewhere on the internet, this model has been around too long and of course I now know way too much about the high servicing needed and the problems of this model now . .I'm not certain I can afford to keep this car!!! But the only clues from all these hours f research that I did . .I think actually from your site are maybe there is a problem with the RPM guage or the fuel gauge . .(I don't nkow if this is from general repair info or info on this model . .assume the car has these parts. . .but not sure.)
After a long converstion with this mechanic on Friday - four non-starts in 2 days - . .we decided to try replacing the ignition electrical only - not the cylinder - although the key has to be jiggeled after the car starts. .when it starts . .to get the gear shift out of park . .it used to be only ocassionally but its more frequently required now to get into gear from park . . .????? I've told him this . .he said yes a problem but not connected to starting problems . . .
I do like this car . . but I'm single and it is hard for me to get it in and out of so much servicing -transportation wise . .and guess who ends up jumping me 9 out of 10 times . . the person I bought it from . .he didn't get rid of his problems , ,but, couldn't sell it to anyone in good conscious!! So, this is a horrible situation . .last week I got stranded with my 91 yr old Mom on oxygen .
Well, I'd be glad to submit my entire servicce records , ,and what I have of their records . .quite a bit . .which I've kept religiously . .if anyone can help . . .I have treid to notice all symptoms everytime this occurs . . but the symptoms seems to be diff each time . .there have been clicks , ,short whines . . but never the same noise or symptoms . . but I write it all down in case there is some consistancy that I'm not recalling.
.had a 1990 740 for 15 yrs . 120K great condition . .but getting very old . ..needed this newer car . .I figured I could afford to put some $ into this one . . but nothing seems to fix it. Any possible suggestions would be appreciated . . and I really like your site and learned a lot today . plse excuse all my typos and inversions . . I'm so tired . & need to get up early to get the car in . .
Also liked the "DISC" on the dash answer under the 1998 V70 XC Q&A's . . I have that happening too . .now I finally know why . . that is irratic too so I alway forget to ask about it . .think I tried the manual once . but it had always been a mystery . THanks so much!
Susan alias "notagain" in Denver