V50 Electrics : Stop/Start died mid traffic

[encroute]

So yesterday evening, on the way home, stop/start working normally, and on a main road in heavy traffic it stops, and never starts again.

Tried switching off S/S, no effect.No error codes,Car charged and 1/2 tank of fuel, but the engine will not re-start.

Had to be towed home (Volvo Assist in 45 mins on a busy evening, one bright point of the evening)
Nice chap, but looked at the manual and didn't find anything to fix it.

Left it for a day, no change - just won't start - seems fine otherwise - something electronic is "stuck", or a fuse or switch has gone.

Anyone experienced this?
Calling the Volvo garage tomorrow.

V annoying!

[encroute]

So it appears it was an Ignition switch and they replaced it.
But the engine still did not start.
Turns out the root cause was the Starter Motor.

It's a 60k mile 11-plate V50 with Stop/Start - surely the SM should last substantially longer.

Despite out of warranty, as it has a full Volvo service history, they are taking this to Volvo-otherwise I'm looking at the best part of £650.

Nice.
Fingers crossed

[cameron1]

Originally Posted by encroute

So it appears it was an Ignition switch and they replaced it.
But the engine still did not start.
Turns out the root cause was the Starter Motor.

It's a 60k mile 11-plate V50 with Stop/Start - surely the SM should last substantially longer.

Despite out of warranty, as it has a full Volvo service history, they are taking this to Volvo-otherwise I'm looking at the best part of £650.

Nice.
Fingers crossed

sorry to hear that.

Is your car electric?

[encroute]

Originally Posted by cameron1

Is your car electric?

No, Diesel 1.6.

[cameron1]

seeing that the car is 5 years old, i'm not sure if Volvo would cough up for a replacement starter motor but they might offer it on a goodwill gesture.

If you have no luck with volvo then me personally would buy a secondhand unit from ebay, i think they are around the £15-20. Ford 1.6 tdci and Volvo 1.6D also share the same starter motor.

Hope this helps and let us know how you get on

Cameron

[encroute]

Volvo chipped in 10% for the new Starter Motor.
Sentinel (Volvo dealership) felt that was insufficient and chipped in another 10%

I was advised to take it up with Volvo, as they were expecting a 40% goodwill gesture from Volvo UK.

Of course that's for the single pert - the subsequent damage to the Ignition switch (£130+vat) is not addressed. In the end I shelled out £550.

For a Stop/Start vehicle to suffer such a fault, I feel, is unacceptable after 5 years and only 60k miles.

We buy Volvos for their reliability, and while this may be a one off, I will be investigating, with a FOI request, for the quantity of Starter Motor failures in their stop/start vehicles.

Any input from other members would be greatly appreciated.

Séan

[cameron1]

I agree with you, we pay a premium for reliability and safety.

I would get an independent assessment report to confirms its a manufacturer defect and not a maintenance item. Volvo should be covering 100% for parts and labour. I strongly feel that if you are persistent enough, they will eventually cover all costs. if they aren't budging, get trading standards involved.

As mentioned before, if all else fails, atleast you know that you can buy a used or new starter motor for considerably less than what a volvo dealer charges

Keep us updated and good luck

Cameron