[Runner53]

Not truly a new topic. I have seen it or variations of it at least 5 or 6 times in various forums. Never-the-less, I am looking for suggestions and ideas from anyone willing to offer them.<p>Scenario: '98 S70 GLT generally runs just fine. However, every once in awhile, when I turn the key, it will not start. If I am patient and wait a period of time, and try to start it again...Presto! It starts like a champ. This has been going on for around 9 months. At first, the "wait time" was only 10 or 15 minutes. Now it sometimes is 45 minutes or even an hour. I can go a week, maybe even two without an incident, then have 3 or 4 over a couple of days. There does not seem to be a pattern, though just about everybody that has heard me describe it offers up their ideas: temperature, the humidity, the way I turn the key, the way I insert the key, how long the car has been running before it fails, etc.<p>The Volvo mechanic/dealer is at a loss. They replaced the shift interlock microswitch, the starter and solenoid, and the battery. I myself just replaced the ignition switch. With each attempt we thought the mystery was solved. But each time proved to be false hope. I left the car with the mechanic for 2 weeks, but he couldn't find anything wrong (in fact, he couldn't even duplicate the problem).<p>What else can it be? I need a list of things to try. All I can think of next is the lock cylinder. If not that, then the ECM. If not that, then C4 and blasting caps.<p>Getting desperate. I need to solve the problem so my wife will let up on all of her "theories" about what's wrong.<br>

 

[Wayne T5]

Re: 98 S70 won't start --- sometimes... (Runner53)

I'm no mechanic but it sounds as if you have ruled out the typical fuel and spark concerns? Does the car not even turn over or does it turn over but not start?

 

[Runner53]

Re: 98 S70 won't start --- sometimes... (Wayne T5)

Thanks for the response. As the saying goes, there are no bad answers, just bad questions. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/wink.gif" BORDER="0"> <p>I should have mentioned that, when I turn the key, the engine does not even "turn over". The usual "idiot lights" are activated, and there's the little "beep" that says, "Hey, you're turning the key!", but that's it. That's why I don't suspect the coil or anything past the starter. In fact, since the key turns and some electrical response is seen, I have trouble believing it would be the ignition lock cylinder.<p>So what else could it be? <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vortexmediagroup.com/images/banghead.gif" BORDER="0"> <br>

 

[IRoll4me]

Re: 98 S70 won't start --- sometimes... (Runner53)

It sounds like you may have a loose connector somewhere. . . If it is that intermittent and no rhyme or reason to the problem, it sounds like there might be a connection or relay that is working only when it is in the right position to get a good connection. You could open up your fuse box and re-seat your fuses in the engine compartment. Sometimes in certain areas of the country the contacts will experience what is called "silver-migration" that can actually coat a terminal and cause intermittent connections.<p>Just a stab but that's what it sounds like to me. <br>This problem wouldn't necessarily throw a code either. <p>