2001 V40 1.8 No Ignition - Totally Dead

[Joseph Martin]

Hi Folks,

We have an issue with our 2001 V40 1.8S. This is the non-GDI Volvo engine. Over the course of a few months we have had an intermittent problem where the car has refused to start - zero response from the ignition. The car unlocks and locks as normal, all interior lights work etc, however turning the ignition onto position ‘I’ or ‘II’ it is totally dead - dash stays completely black with no lights at all.

The car began to start cutting out when being driven, and would restart miraculously after dipping the clutch and cycling the ignition off and then on.

A diagnostic check suggested a key fault (immobiliser light came on when car cut out on a couple of occasions), we ordered a new key from Volvo as the only one we had had seen better days.
Wiring loom has also been inspected in detail and it’s totally rot-free, in fact it’s one of the best considering the age of the car (usually totally soaking wet and knackered).

Car now appears to be totally dead, no response when cycling the key in ignition. I’m now thinking ignition switch.

Anyone any ideas?

[gatos]

Could possibly be a faulty ignition switch. They do go from time to time. If there were lights coming up etc, but the car would not start and the immobiliser light was on (or flashing, can't remember) then it could be a faulty antenna or broken wires in the antenna

If that is not the problem, then it could be a wiring problem under the radiator. If all else fails, the fault tends to be there

[pierremcalpine]

My guess is a loose battery connection. Be sure that both the positive and negative leads are on there nice and tight and that both cables appear to be in good shape (limited fraying/breaks/corrosion/crud build-up).