I have a 2000 xc70 and have been experiencing an on-going periodic no start condition for 2 years. I turn the key, nothing. No sound, no click, nothing. After 20 minutes or so the car will start as normal. Taking the key in and out, using a different key, putting the car in neutral I've tried them all. One thing that seems to help prevent the no start condition is to lock the steering wheel when you turn the car off. Has anyone else had a similar problem? Is the "locked steering wheel" solution merely a coincidence or does it point to the root cause of the problem. Frustrated.

I have had that problem every six months or so.

You can try moving the gearshift through all the positions a couple (or a few) of times. Then try starting it again. Could be a faulty PNP switch if your model has that.

On my '95 854T I periodically have to clean the ground connection on the body in front of the battery (I don't know about your model and where that ground or others may be located.) You also want to make sure that the battery terminals are clean and tightened.

Anyway when it happens these are the things I do and it is usually good for another 6 months or so.

It could be your ignition switch. (Make sure you don't load up your key and fob with lots of other keys making it heavy.)

I originally brought it to the dealer only to have them unable to reproduce the symptom. They started wanting to trouble shoot by replacing the alternator at a charge of about $500. I didn't let them. There wasn't anything wrong with my alternator. They didn't have an answer. What I suggested I read here on the brickboard when I initially started getting those symptoms.

Let us know what works for you.
--
'95 854T 125,000

I don't understand what you mean by "after 20 minutes or so...the car will start". Do you mean holding the key in the start position during that time? Here are the things that occur to me to test:

Put a test light to selenoid to determine if electricity is present when you try to start. If yes, selenoid or starter could be bad. Be sure connections are tight and clean.

I found a reference to intermittent no-starts which references checking the Immobilizer system for DTC's IMM-233, 234, & 321. Also check male/female pin contact for connector 4/22 and 7/39. The affected V70 series vehicles have chassis # 39500-

Contact me by email and I will send you some more info that might help you solve your problem.

"after 20 minutes or so" is means walking away and coming back after some amount of time the car will start as normal. I've had the starter replaced and the immobilizer ring. Thank you for the other suggestions.

OK, so let me see if I understand now...the car is already warm from running, you shut it down, you try to start and nothing, dead, no sound, no nothing. Do I understand the problem correctly?

If I understand correctly, then let me ask a couple of other questions...Does the car always start right off when it is dead cold (i.e. first thing in the morning)?

When the car is hot from running and you shut it off next time, turn on the headlights and have someone watch them when you turn the key to the start position. Do the lights go out or very dim?

Have you had the starter relay checked?

I bought a 2000 s70 three months ago and afterward I got the dealer records where the car was services. The former owner had the same problem no crank and the dealer replaced everything imaginable and must have finally sold the car out of frustration( see my question under S70 about hesitation in cranking). I haven't had the complete no crank yet but have a periodic hesitation in the crank which sometimes requires two turns or keeping the key turned longer. I'm gessing but think it happens more in warmer weather. Resently replaced the motor timing senor so see if that helps. Must be very frustrating to buy and expensive car and then you cross your fingers every time you start it. Volvo may be safe ( can't get hurt if you can't drive it) but not nessarily dependable.

Keith