recurring problem: shuts off shortly after starting. This problem seems to relate to the antenna ring and immobilizer. This first occurred to my car around 2009. The antenna ring was replaced under warranty, which fixed the problem for about a year. The supposed cost was approximately $400.00. The problem now happens on a daily basis and almost every time I start my car. If I take my key out, wipe it on cloth, and retry, it normally works after the third attempt. (Doesn't work without the wiping thing.) Comments on other sites suggest keeping the key separate from magnetic cards, voodoo, strange dances, and other crazy things to get the car to start. Very annoying and always unsettling because you never know whether the car will permanently decide to not start. I sure wish that Volvo would do right by its customers and solve the problem -- at a minimum, it would be nice for a solution to be permanent.

I purchased this vehicle used about 4 years ago. The problem started only a few months after my purchase after my warranty ran out. The car always eventually starts, but it is really an annoying situation. I researched online and found suggestions of what this could be. One suggestion was replacing the Ignition switch (antenna ring). It worked for about a month and then happened again. I thought the part may have been faulty so I brought it back and purchased a new one. That one lasted almost a year and then the situation returned. Now seems to be getting worse. Currently, the cold seems to also be making it worse. Does anyone have any other suggestions of what could be causing this issue? I love the car and finally do not have a car payment and want to get it fixed if possible....also hard finding a good garage that works on these cars and without getting completely ripped off.

Thanks

Vehicle purchased in 2006. Had low mileage; it was a beauty! Was caught by surprise the first time the car would not start (early in 2007). Tech advised to "turn the key around" then try again. That worked a couple of times. Then it started happening much more frequently. It was still under warranty thru 2009, therefore, no out-of-pocket expense (each time problem was noted, something "seemed" to resolve it for awhile). But now, it's no longer under warranty - the problem persists! According to the Volvo Handbook each key has a coded transmitter and receiver (transponder). The car can only be started if a properly coded key is used. It is noted further, no more than one of the keys for your car should be kept on the same key ring (otherwise conflicting signals could be transmitted to the ignition switch making it impossible to start the car). Never do this. All this technology is in place to prevent theft. It's as though the vehicle suspects an attempt to steal it when the key is inserted into the ignition. "Lately, I've been advised to place the key three (3) feet away from the ignition/wait a few minutes then try again to start the vehicle. That works on occasion, but I'm inconvenienced often. I've tried appealing to Volvo.com customer services to do a Recall but so far I'm the only one with the problem I guess. They make all the right "noises" listening but have done nothing to help.