Volvo S70 won't start problems

Filed Aug 23, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 218,168 miles · MN

I was driving my car on the highway and as soon as I reached 60 MPH my ets light came on along with my brake light and oil light. My speedometer went to zero and my car was acting strange. I pulled over and stopped and heard a loud noise from the engine. I turned off my car. I called aaa and asked for a tow. While the tow truck was coming, I tried turning my car on again and the ets light came on flashing and the car wouldn't start. I started to google this problem and saw many people had the ets on their volvo recalled. I called volvo and they declined to help me. They said I need to pay for a new ets module. They said my car doesn't have a recall on it. I found this to be not true after checking your website for recalls along with another .gov website. I called volvo again and the same guy told me not to call them anymore and he hung up the phone. When my car was finally at home, I called my mechanic who used to work at a different volvo (30 miles from where I live) and he came to look at my car. We switched out the battery, put in a new starter, new alternator, switched out all my fuses with new fuses, changed spark plugs and spark wires, put new coils on and did an oil change. The car started, however the ets light has been on ever since and when I reach highway speeds, it does the same thing. I have not driven it since. The ets is recalled for my volvo when I entered the VIN. I need help with getting volvo to fix the recall or do something about it. The state patrol did come behind me to ask if everything was okay as I was waiting for the tow truck. I don't have any police reports but I do have the officers card if needed.

Filed Nov 29, 2011 · Acceleration · DC

2000 s70 volvo. Consumer writes in regards to electronic throttle and vehicle speed *tgw the consumer stated the ets light illuminated as the vehicle was accelerating by itself and then went into limp mode. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop where the throttle body was replaced. Also, a software upgrade was needed, because the vehicle would not start.

Filed Apr 13, 2010 · Engine · 120 miles · NY

1999 volvo s70 ets light came on and car stalls . Car is bucking and speeding up car shuts down all over the road and highways and will not start.

Filed Feb 27, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 106,472 miles · CA

Ongoing problems since august 2008: engine stalls, decelerates, won't start, sometimes engine surges badly, engine lights go on, throttle gets dirty even with new part etm problems are occurring and now vehicle will not start or drive at all.

Filed May 1, 2009 · Electrical, Fuel system · 124,000 miles · PA

We own a 1999 volvo s70. While driving the car it started to surge while at a stop without and foot on the gas pedal at all. While trying to pull out from a stop sign the car had a mind of its own. It did what it wanted too without my controlling it. The gas pedal went up and down all by itself. The car then stalled and would not start and run. A check engine light came on and a ets light came on. Lucky we where not on a major highway and where able to pull over. We had to get a tow truck to bring it home. I called a volvo dealer in our area. After some research on the internet I find out this was a problem in all 99 to 2001 volvo's. A recall had been issued for this problem. The volvo dealer will only upgrade a software issue. If the part { etm} fails they will not replace it. We never had a car that the gas pedal is controlled by this system. After getting out car back from the dealer the same day it did it again. We took the car back and even though the car meets the recall requirements they will not replace it the etm. Now we have a car that is not safe to drive. If this had happened on a interstate we could have been rearended or ran into someone else. Please help.

Filed Apr 29, 2008 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · TN

Approximately 26 months ago, I was experiencing considerable difficulty with the starting of my passenger vehicle with an increase frequency of the problem re-occurring. Specifically, the engine would turn but would not start. In order to start the vehicle, I would have to turn the key back and forth several times (3 - 5) until the computer chip in the key signaled the computer chip in the steering column and the vehicle started. Upon contacting a nearby dealership (dwyer & sons, michigan) and troubleshooting the problem, I was informed that the antenna ring within the steering column was broken and required replacement as well as the immobilizer and the re-ordering of two ignition keys and one trunk key. These repairs were completed may 2006 with only a limited parts warranty available. Approximately four months ago, the problem began occurring again. Upon contacting michael mullett with dwyer & sons, I informed him of the same problem and he responded that the parts warranty was only valid for twelve months. During a return trip to michigan, I followed up with mr. Mullett and scheduled an appointment to address the problem. Again, mr. Mullett diagnosed the problem as the antenna ring and immoblizer as well as two ignition keys and a trunk key which required replacement at an approximate cost of $700.00 (parts & labor). Mr. Mullett indicated that they (as a dealership) have to address this problem with multiple customers over the years, however, volvo has failed to recognize that this problem may be more widespread among all their customers. Help !! Two identical repairs within 23 months. I would appreciate your assistance in addressing this problem in hopes of having it properly addressed at the manufacturers expense as well as reimbursement of the initial repair in may 2006. Thank you.

Filed Sep 16, 2005 · Engine · 15,000 miles · MD

I have had multiple problems with this car: 1) engine/throttle system: a) intermittently, the car will not start when the engine is warm, whether from driving or it is a hot day. I had it towed to the volvo dealer from my garage when it had <20k miles and was told that I was not driving it hard enough. They advised that the engine had to be blown out and suggested that I rev-up the engine while the car was in park to clean it out. That did not help. I have had the car serviced multiple times. The problem had gotten so bad, that the car began stalling while I was driving it, particularly, if I stopped for a traffic light or turned a corner. I paid $1,500 in january 2005 to have it repaired again, and now the problem is back. The volvo dealer is useless. B) the engine either leaks or burns oil. I will intermittently hear a clicking noise to find out that all of the oil is gone. The oil light does not come on. I routinely have to add 3-4 quarts of oil. 2) safety features: the rearview mirror broke off in my hand and I was told by the dealer that it was a safety feature. When it broke off, it left a metal spike sticking out that would have done far more damage in an accident than the mirror. The child lock on the rear center seat belt failed. I took it to the dealer and was told that I was pulling the belt too tight and it was supposed to have some "give". Of course, I know that the child seat is not supposed to wiggle around in the back seat, so I insisted that it be replaced. Body: the mechanisms to hold up the trunk lid no longer function. The latch to release the hood has had to be replaced.

Filed Aug 3, 2005 · Acceleration · 64,000 miles · PA

Leading up to the incident my car would stall or lose power. While driving on a very busy rte 202 my car lost power in the left hand lane. It the completely died and would not start. I then had it towed to the closest mechanic (francis automotive in west chester, pa). It was diagnosed as having a bad vehicle speed control which cost in excess of $1000 to fix. After talking to other volvo owners about this I found that it very common. In addition to this I have a problem with the air condition which stops working at inappropriate times. Ai have also found that this common with 2000 s70's. I bought this car on volvo's past quality reputation. Turns out it was the big mistake I should have stuck with a nissan or toyota!

Filed Dec 2, 2003 · Electrical · 74,500 miles · PA

My 1999 volvo s70 has failed to start after short trips. My wife had mentioned this previously, but two recent incidents made this report necessary.*ak the first incident was on the morning of 11/18/2003. After a 30-minute trip, I shut off the engine and left the car to gather papers for work. I left the car less than 5 minutes. When I tried to restart the car, there were lights in the dash and the fuel pump primed, but no ignition. There was no clicking, but it seemed that the car had power. Car was towed to a volvo dealership for service. They found a weak battery, and replaced it. That apparently fixed the problem, and car was returned to me. The second incident was the following sunday, november23. Drove the car to the local hardware store. I shut off engine, got out, and made my purchases. Within fifteen minutes, I returned and tried to start the car. Dash indicator lights came on, but no clicking. Tried to start the car a few times, shifted into neutral to roll the car, still would not start. The car was towed and returned to the dealership. Monday morning, tech at the dealership tried and it started immediately. They found no trouble, and asked to return my car. I have refused to accept the car until the trouble, however intermittent, is isolated, diagnosed, and corrected. I am currently driving a loaner car from the dealership. Battery replacement does not fix this. May be a "dead spot" in the starter, which could explain why the car would start after some major motion (being towed, etc). May be issues with the charging system, to explain the weak battery in the first incident. Could be a greater hazard for others who may be traveling, and find themselves stranded.

Filed Oct 24, 1999 · Electrical · FL

The car has an electrical system problem. After several days of inactivity the car will not start. According to the dealer a faulty switch in the door allows the battery to drain over extended periods of time. Unfortunately for anyone who travels and leaves there car at the airport this is a very dangerous event. The car has failed to start for me on four separate occasions. I have replaced the battery and been to the local volvo dealer. The dealer informed me of the design defect. However I do not know if you are aware of the problem or if there has been a recall. Somebody is going to get hurt seeking help when their car fails to start in some lonely dark setting.