Wednesday
Sep222004
2004.5 Volvo S40 T5
Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at 10:15AM
The Infiniti G35. It had been my infatuation for almost a year. I was sure that I had found my next car. Sure, I was a big fan of the 3 Series BMW as well, mostly due to blunt, short noses, but the G35 was an obvious next step from my 2 consecutive Nissan Altimas. Nissan is Infiniti's parent company after all.
But then I found theS40 T5...
Volvo decided to reach out to my demographic with this car. It's aggressive styling is a far cry from the boxy, boring Volvos I was familiar with. The decent size, good horsepower, and legendary Volvo safety didn't hurt either. So now I am the proud owner of a black on black T5 with premium audio. It's a dream to drive. I'll leave the market speak to sites that review cars.
Then the honeymoon ended.
About a month ago my S40 began having starting problems after sitting for an extended period of time, somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 hours. So, in the mornings I would get in, turn the key, and the car would almost start, sputter, and die. Turning the key again worked without problem.
I immediately attribute this to User Error. I must not know how to start this car. I read the manual, and determine that I am not an idiot and that starting the car should be easy. The problem continues.
I called the dealership and they happily scheduled me. They gave the car back after replacing the ignition switch and the immobilizer. Problem persists.
So I call back, and am told they can't get me in till Friday (this was Monday). I call my salesman and he moves and shakes, resulting in me bringing the car in the next morning. This time, they can't reproduce the problem, but they replace a fuel pump relay based on codes stored in the computer. I get the car back on Friday. Problem persists.
Volvo of Nashville has had my car since Tuesday of last week, and it is now Wednesday. They cannot reproduce the problem (which upon my reflection, seems fuel related). I've even come in personally after the car sat overnight and tried to start it and couldn't reproduce. The dealership isn't great at keeping me in the loop, but they are at least not giving up and making me take the car. Volvo's customer care has entered the ring at my prodding and is in the other ear telling me they want me to get my car back working as soon as possible.
The shop foreman told me they had a T5 awaiting a new fuel pump right now, and my loaner T5 has manifested subtle signs on a few occasions of not getting enough fuel when it is started. IANAMechanic, so take my fuel finger pointing with a boulder of salt. Perhaps this is a quiet, systemic problem with the S40?
Bottom Line: The car is at the dealership and isn't with me. The starting problem is annoying, but relatlively unobstrusive. A brand new $30K+ car shouldn't have these problems. I will update when/if a resolution is reached, but buyers be warned.
But then I found the
Volvo decided to reach out to my demographic with this car. It's aggressive styling is a far cry from the boxy, boring Volvos I was familiar with. The decent size, good horsepower, and legendary Volvo safety didn't hurt either. So now I am the proud owner of a black on black T5 with premium audio. It's a dream to drive. I'll leave the market speak to sites that review cars.
Then the honeymoon ended.
About a month ago my S40 began having starting problems after sitting for an extended period of time, somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 hours. So, in the mornings I would get in, turn the key, and the car would almost start, sputter, and die. Turning the key again worked without problem.
I immediately attribute this to User Error. I must not know how to start this car. I read the manual, and determine that I am not an idiot and that starting the car should be easy. The problem continues.
I called the dealership and they happily scheduled me. They gave the car back after replacing the ignition switch and the immobilizer. Problem persists.
So I call back, and am told they can't get me in till Friday (this was Monday). I call my salesman and he moves and shakes, resulting in me bringing the car in the next morning. This time, they can't reproduce the problem, but they replace a fuel pump relay based on codes stored in the computer. I get the car back on Friday. Problem persists.
Volvo of Nashville has had my car since Tuesday of last week, and it is now Wednesday. They cannot reproduce the problem (which upon my reflection, seems fuel related). I've even come in personally after the car sat overnight and tried to start it and couldn't reproduce. The dealership isn't great at keeping me in the loop, but they are at least not giving up and making me take the car. Volvo's customer care has entered the ring at my prodding and is in the other ear telling me they want me to get my car back working as soon as possible.
The shop foreman told me they had a T5 awaiting a new fuel pump right now, and my loaner T5 has manifested subtle signs on a few occasions of not getting enough fuel when it is started. IANAMechanic, so take my fuel finger pointing with a boulder of salt. Perhaps this is a quiet, systemic problem with the S40?
Bottom Line: The car is at the dealership and isn't with me. The starting problem is annoying, but relatlively unobstrusive. A brand new $30K+ car shouldn't have these problems. I will update when/if a resolution is reached, but buyers be warned.
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Reader Comments (3)
Cory's New Blog
One of my co-workers has set up a new blog using WordPress.
So check out Cory Watson's blog.
One of his first posts is about Trouble with 2004 Volvo S40 T5. bummer.
-Jackson
I read your story and I also am having the same problem with starting my car in the morning....it has been two weeks and my car has been in for repair 3 times.....each time I get it back....it will not start after sitting for a long period......I would appreciate hearing from you with an update...
My wife has a 2005 S40 T5 and is having this problem after 4000 miles. We've already been in for a software upgrade but it didnt resolve the issue. Did you ever get this problem resolved?