After owning various Volvo's for the last 20 years I was hit with a unique problem. I drove out to dinner fine no problems; came out after dinner and the car wouldn't start. I turn the key and everything eletrical comes on, lights radio, etc. but the engine just won't start. It does make a clicking sound but not the usual clicking from a dead battery, it's more of a solid knocking sound. It's a S70 '98 T-5 (standard). I'm hoping it's something simple but probably will have to take it in on Monday. Thanks in advance for any thoughts you guys might have!!

I had a similar problem with mine last year

and it turned out that the starter had gone bad

The starter consists of the solinoid,armature and the bushing

I took it of the car which had three bolts (remember to remove the air filter box first! and remove the large bolts around the starter) and had it first tested at pep boys .they found that the solinoid and the bushings

were not pushing the armature fully and thats whey it clicked really hard when I tried to start it .I then found a service center which specialised in remanufacturing starters who made it better then brand new with bosch parts (no taiwan shit which to my surprise was where the

solinoid came from originally) and worked like a charm

I hope this info helps...

email or post something to say how it went

I have never had this happen with my 99-S70 but with my older 94-950 this seems to happen quite a bit.

Some of the reasons that caused it:

1. Starter Gone

2. Computer Crapped out

3. Battery dead

4. As the dealer puts it: "I don't know what caused it, but we cannot duplicate the problem"

Sometimes I have been able to start the car by letting it sit for about 5 minutes and them floor the gas (the way you use to start the old non fuel injected cars of the 70s).

As you can see, I am no mechanic but I would be interested to know if this is a common S70 problem or is it isolated mainly to the 850?

My 2000 S70 had a similar problem..came out one day and nothing worked...wouldn't start..no lights, horn..nothing...stone dead.. had been perfect till then

I finally jumped it the following day and got it going....drove it to the volvo dealer about 30 miles from me...car was perfect..they couldnt duplicate the problem...made them keep it for 3 days...hasn't done it since but dont really trust it

Oh lord grant me patience,

To see people discussing their 2000 model car that wont start so calmly is VERY VERY disturbing....... How common of a thing is this?

I have a 1971 MG that has always started every time I go to drive it. Shouldent I be able to expect the same reliability from my $40K European Luxury Sedan?????