quote:
Originally posted by meinstei:
This morning, my wife tried to start her brand new S60 AWD and it cranked and cranked but didn't start. A message appeared in the message display that said "Start Prevented". The lights were on, so we know it wasn't the battery (it probably wouldn't have even cranked with a bad battery) so we just waited a few minutes and tried again. It started up without a problem. What does this message mean? Any ideas?
I am going to call our dealer as well, but thought I would see if anyone here knew what this message meant.
Thanks.
Michael
Most likely the ECU thought for some reason that some parameter was out of range enough that it didn't want to start the engine. The ECU checks all the voltages from the myriad sensors when you first start cranking. If, say, the throttle position sensor indicated it was at full (wide open) throttle, then the ECU would think that was an 'error' and prevent the car from starting, just so it wouldn't rev the engine to 6000 RPM in 2 seconds.
The second time you tried to start it, the erroneous parameter was somehow reset, and the ECU let the engine start.
Out of curiosity, was her foot on the gas pedal during the attempted start? With fuel injected engines, that could confuse the ECU into just such a condition. It's not necessary at all because the ECU controls the actual throttle plate position. I put my foot on the brake when I start the car, and it works just fine.
Anyway, the dealer will be able to read the fault code and let you know if it was that or some other faulty sensor (I may be totally off base here because I have no access to the car.)
Best of luck, hope you get it fixed soon.
