XC90 2016 won't start, locked in park

[Philip Fisher]

Mine threw a massive software related hissy fit on the day of delivery. On getting to the dealer it was stuck on the low loader, handbrake on and refused to do anything. Wouldnt start, wouldnt release the handbrake.

What did the dealer do? Disconnected the battery, waited 5 mins, reconnected the battery then just started it and drove it off the ramp.....

Doing a battery reset has now (I believe in no small part to me promoting it) become a regular suggestion on this forum.

It requires nothing more than a tiny bit of common sense. Even if you aren't happy then any mechanic will do it for you. Disconnect the negative first. Then the positive. Wait 5 mins and reconnect.

I have never heard of this failing to get a car with a software problem going again. Then you can drive it to the dealer and save yourself 300 notes......

[Simon Eames]

UPDATE: Continuing thanks to all who are commenting/advising here.

The non-dealership but Volvo-specialist mechanics have tried everything suggested here (reading and re-setting error codes, disconnect/re-connect battery, hold start for 10 secs to initialise ignition plus anything else they can think of). They did manage to start it twice, but handbrake still could not release. Then they found they couldn't even turn off the engine! Many software faults keep recurring and many warning lights keep reappearing on the dash. They have now had to give up, telling me that there are major software issues here that can only be fixed by a Volvo dealership.

Therefore crane-lift recovery is on its way as the only option to move the car due to the handbrake not being able to release. Taking it to Volvo main dealer who have given me a hard time over the phone for not having the car properly serviced by an official dealership. They have been very disparaging about "local" garages and have advised that they should never be let loose on any modern vehicle of any make. They tell me the complexities of modern software demands that all modern cars should nowadays only ever be serviced by main dealership workshops with regular software updates. They have told me that the problems I am now experiencing are definitely my own fault and would not have occurred if the car had been regularly serviced by Volvo.

I know the above advice will be scorned by many here who have technical expertise and a willingness to have a go, but to be honest for a complete technophobe like me this has been an expensive lesson learned. I'm afraid from now on the main dealers have me by the short ones and I'll just have to pay the money.

Thanks again for showing an interest, and I shall update again when the main dealer workshop has run diagnostics and told me specifically what needs doing....

[MaDProFF]

Check Seatbelt etc. that can keep Hand Brake locked on.

[Philip Fisher]

There was a recall in circa 2017 due to a faulty aircon condensate hose. Essentially it could leak into the void under the drivers floor and flood the electronic control modules under there with water.

Symptoms sound not dissimilar to what you describe.

Worth checking your VIN and whether it should have been done and whether it was done.

Also please post exact model and age and history of car. How long have you had it? Mileage? How long since at a Volvo Dealers? All this will help us advise.

There are plenty of enthusiasts on here who have lots of experience with new shape XC90s and we will help as much as we can.

[Philip Fisher]

Also if it is in warranty then Volvo Assist will have to recover it and that shouldnt cost you anything.

If it is less than 3 years old and less than 60k miles then it will be in warranty. Servicing at an independant will not automatically void the warranty whatever bullsh1t the dealer tells you.

Btw my brother lives in Aylesbury and uses a Volvo independant specialist nearby who he rates highly. Might even be the same one you are using.

[Simon Eames]

....and the final verdict:

Well in the end the main problem turned out to be a steering column fault, which surprisingly Volvo are replacing FOC. However there were also numerous software faults, and the main dealer has attributed these to the fact that the car has not had a "proper" Volvo service for 3 years and they tell me non-Volvo garages are unable to do the regular updates that are necessary. They insist this applies to all makes now as vehicles have become so much more complex and software-controlled. So lesson learned, and I'm signing up to their regular payment plan for servicing. I know many (including me) consider main dealership service costs exorbitant, but given my total lack of technical ability or interest, for peace of mind I've decided it's worth it.

Thanks again to all who have advised here.

[KNVXC90]

Glad it's getting sorted.

Yes, given how complex some of these high-end cars are, I wouldn't dare take my XC90 to an independant garage.

I think there are some deals to be had on service plans too. My XC90 is on PCP, and the first three services are free. I paid them an extra £200, to make it five services.

[simonjedrake]

Originally Posted by KNVXC90

Glad it's getting sorted.

Yes, given how complex some of these high-end cars are, I wouldn't dare take my XC90 to an independant garage.

I think there are some deals to be had on service plans too. My XC90 is on PCP, and the first three services are free. I paid them an extra £200, to make it five services.

.............and you get a European FOC recovery plan with every service............

[gaby]

Originally Posted by Simon Eames

However there were also numerous software faults, and the main dealer has attributed these to the fact that the car has not had a "proper" Volvo service for 3 years ...

So they say that a car won't keep working if not updated regularly?

[MaDProFF]

Not entirely true regarding non dealer garages, though I do not know about Volvo, but regarding VAG, and MB there are specialised dealers that can do everything and connect to the manufacture network, update, recalls etc.

Regarding VAG there is a 3rd party software that is actually better then the manufacture software that main dealers have to use, and have admitted to me when I had my Audi S3 and connected to VDS software and port was better for fault finding, and always wanted my logs, they even had out side mechanics to fault find in house using the software, this was a few years ago mind.