340 auto Intermittant no start

[Derek UK]

As a section secretary I occasionally get a call about Volvo problems. I have just had a call from a lady with a 340 auto 1.4l on an E plate who is finding that it will sometimes start and sometimes not and then if no start, maybe it will the next day. It is off the road and has no MOT but she has been starting it regularly with no problems until recently. It could be anything. The battery turns the engine quickly and easily she says. She has not kept trying until the battery is flat. She says that the battery is not an old one but I have said that lack of road use may mean it is still in a low state of charge. She will put the charger on it. As it's an auto there might be problems with inhibiter switches but that is far beyond her capabilities. She has sprayed around the electrics with WD-40 which I would have recommended as we have had it a bit wet lately. Car is garaged but currently due to the no start situation is outside and she can't manage to push it back in. She is a bit concerned about the neighbours but I won't go into that here. She lives near Folkestone and if there is a knowledgeable 300 series person locally perhaps they can help, by arrangement with her of course. Currently a bit too far for me to go and I don't have much knowledge of these cars. I do have a Haynes that covers this year and model. Suggestions and potential things to look at welcomed. Thanks in advance.