C-70 Starting problems

Well, here it is. 2001 C-70 Coupe HPT with just under 23K miles.

In the last week, it's taken to not wanting to start. It's an intermittent
problem with no real pattern to be seen yet. All seems OK, but it seems to
fail to provide spark. Starter cranks engine, but no fire. If I turn it
all the way off and remove the key, and start over again, it almost always
starts right away.

I'm thinking an intermittent problem with a crank sensor or an RPM sensor,
but there is never any stored codes in OBDII. Thanks to Volvo, I can't get
a repair manual for this car, so I need some of your collective brain power.

Any ideas?

 

Had the exact same annoying (and embarrassing) thing with my 2000 v70
(65,000Km).

Dealer replaced the antenna that is around the ignition keyhole. It hasn't
had a starting problem since. It's the starter
immobiliser/interrupt/anti-theft thing...under warranty.

When I had mentioned the problem to the dealer (they could not reproduce the
problem of course) they suggested I use the other key for a while to see if
it was the key that was faulty.

Matt

 

We have the EXACT same problem with our C70.

First time the dealer told us it was the fuel we were using. Told us to
try "higher quality" gas. That did nothing. Next few times they
couldn't reproduce the problem. Finally they reproduced it but they
didn't own the diag tool to diagnose the C70 since apparently the C70's
are different diags that other Volvos. They had to bring in the
regional guru. He claimed it was the keys not contacting properly with
the engine disable so the key fires the engine, recognizes it's "bad"
and then instantly stalls/disables the engine. They gave us new keys
and that did nothing. We're getting ready to take it back and I really
don't know what's next. Ours is a 2001 C70 with 36K miles so I would
love some suggestions too.

The crazy thing is it's completely random. Sometimes it won't crank for
5 straight times, turn the key around and it works fine. Other times it
works for weeks, other times you have to actually use the second key.

Completely mind boggling and Volvo has NO clue how to fix it...

I'd love some help too!

Charles

 

The dealer had also asked if I noticed the little red light on the dash
blink when the car wasn't starting...this indicates the anti-theft thingy.

Matt

 

All good info. At your suggestion, I changed out the main key I was using
for the spare I had in a drawer. Problem solved --- for now. We'll be
watching. IF it happens again with this key, we'll be replacing the
antenna.

Thanks muchly