Tin top trouble!

[JonnyT]

Hi guys,

Sorry to bother you guys with a very boring question but...

I have a Volvo V70 - about 3 years old. Girlfriend took it out for a run today (yes I know that was my first mistake), stopped to get some fuel, paid, got back in and the car simply wouldn't start.

Problem is: key goes in the ignition - everything happens at position 1 of the ignition switch. Turn the key to position 2 and again everything happens - all lights come on and no warning lights / messages. Turn to position 3 and nothing happens. No clicking even and the started motor doesn't even try to turn.

My first thoughts are electrical problem - but with modern electronics etc I'm not sure what might be the cause - on the Cob, my first thought would be sticky solenoid / bad earth - but seems a little new for that. Second starter relay and third problem with the ignition switch.

Question really is am I thinking along the right lines and secondly can I have a look as I would on our proper cars. (If starter relay is a problem - how do I test a relay?) Or any other ideas?

Cheers guys - electrics was never a strong point!

Jon

[bogster]

Hi Jonny

I don't know if you have a similar problem but I had a BMW that did the same thing and it turned out that the memory chip in the ignition system had somehow wiped itself rendering the car useless. Wouldn't turn over although the lights would come on etc.

I wouldn't like to give advice on the modern tin tops. To much electrics!

[cliffords]

My electrics knowledge is v poor yet this happened to me on a Saab.
All lit up on the key but at the last turn nothing, had to go to garage and turned out to be the alarm/immobilizer

[TonyD]

Have you tried the spare set of keys. It does sound like either the chip in the key fob or an immobiliser problem.

Cheers,

Tony

[JonnyT]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I too had the same thought that it might have something to do with the immobiliser and tried the other set of keys. It started fine first time!!

I have now tried all combinations of locking and unlocking with different fobs and using different keys in the ignition and can't get the fault to recur.

So - what do you think - do I go to Volvo dealership with chequebook in hand and say can you find anything (which I suspect they won't given that there are no warning lights or anything) or do I just suck it and see and make sure I take 2 sets of keys everywhere? I know nobody can really answer that but thoughts would be good.

Cheers

[wilf]

Your car is totalled - give it away and start again.

Oh - and please see my sig line...................

[plod]

Jonny, I'd give Volvo a go. I think anything electrical these days is something that the manufacturer can sort out, well usually.

Give them a buzz and book in. I dont think they charge for diagnostics as they know they will want some dosh for parts and stuff later..

[paolo]

Originally Posted by plod

I dont think they charge for diagnostics as they know they will want some dosh for parts and stuff later..

Check first - Ford charge £60(!) for the pleasure of their monkey plugging it in and reading the code. Usually only waived if there is work to do as a result.

[dingocooke]

Ive had this with vw audi, same key supplier as volvo, dont think youll get anywhere with the main agent, they shrugged when I explained it, and just suggested I tried to keep the keys in rotation so that they all remained charged (most keys charge via induction these days) and it keeps the code refreshed. well that was their explanation.

steve

[wilf]

Serious answer:

You may have been affected by some strong radio signals nearby - police cars/mobile phone masts etc.

This has happened to me and my wife in different cars more than once. Leicester railway station car park is a good place - any given day you can see someone scratching their head and pointing a seemingly defunct plipper at their car with little result!