2005 Volvo XC70 Temp issues

FLECK28

MEMBER
2005 VOLVO XC70
6 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
50,000 MILES

For the past month the car will experience starting problems when we have heavy frost at night. The car started fine all winter, but since April we would try to start the car when near or below freezing and the car would start and immediately cut out. Almost like something on the computer is shutting it down. Once the sun comes out and things warm up the car starts fine. This only happens when there is a heavy frost and there is moisture on the windshield/hood etc. They have been unable to diagnose the problem as its now well into spring and we cant seem to recreate the environment that this happens in.

Please help with suggestions, at this point im willing to replace multiple items if I can narrow things down to a few possible issues.

Thanks

5 Replies

JIS001

MECHANIC
3,408 POSTS

Have they already upgraded the software for the engine control module? Usually the upgraded software has some calibration changes for certain issues they may have encountered in the past? If that has being done already what actully happens when your car stalls out? Are there any messages on the instrument cluster? Have they scanned any codes for maybe an immobolizer issue? When it stalls out does it start right away the second attempt? If not have you tried the second key?

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Monday, June 1st, 2009 AT 1:56 AM

FLECK28

MEMBER
3 POSTS

As far as I know the software upgrade has taken place. But I have sent a message asking my tech if that is the case. Once the car starts quick and dies the first time, it will not start the second and consecutive tries. Just a strong turnover and die out. If I remember correctly just a check engine light on the dash when this happens, then it clears once the car sits and things warm up outside. They did not get any codes when scanned. I left the car at the shop for over a week hoping it would happen while there. No such luck. The next day I had the car home it went down to 25 that night and the car would not start the next morning. Would the immobilizer issue be the result of cold temperatures or increased moisture? The car seems to start fine after many days of rain, so I cant imagine moisture is the issue.

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Monday, June 1st, 2009 AT 8:03 AM

JIS001

MECHANIC
3,408 POSTS

No I dont think the cold temp would effect the immobolizer but I wonder if you just have a bad key? The only way to find out for sure will be the next time it gets cold or for some reason it just happens to start and die. What happens if the immobolizer does not recognize the key it will start the first time but die out in a couple of seconds. When you go and try and start again the car will crank over but now it will not fire because the immobolizer thinks someone is trying to still your car. But if that was the case I believe you would see the Start prohibited, try again messge come on but not 100% sure? That is why if it would not start it would be a good idea to grab th other key and see if it starts? If you have the same problem with the other key then we could eliminate that the key is bad? You could also have a bad antenna ring around the ignition switch and those seem to fail often? Also are you parked on a downhill when this happens and have maybe less then a quarter tank of gas?

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Monday, June 1st, 2009 AT 10:20 AM

FLECK28

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Parked on a flat surface, full tank of gas (thats what I thought first time it happened when it had little gas in it, figured there was water in the gas. Not the issue though). I also thought maybe there is something with moisture getting on some kind of fuel pump relay or connection?

Anyway, I will try your suggestion with the keys. Only problem is I dont expect cold weather for a long time. I wonder if I should just use the other key and have the ignition coil replaced just so I can rule that out.

Suggestions?

Thanks again

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Monday, June 1st, 2009 AT 10:45 AM

JIS001