Volvo XC90 Won't Start? Don't Panic, Here's What to Do

The upscale interior and athletic performance make the Volvo XC90 comfortable to drive for everyday commuting. However, the owners of this car model have been troubled by the starting problem for some time now. This blog post explains some of the prominent reasons why such a high-end luxury SUV can develop starting-related problems and what can you do to troubleshoot the issue.

Volvo XC90 Starting Issues: Possible Reasons Explained

Struggling to start your Volvo XC90? If you want to know the reason, first you have to understand the things that happen behind the scenes when you turn on the ignition. For a car engine to start, three important things must happen simultaneously;

 The starter must engage with the engine’s flywheel

 The ignition system must get energized

 The fuel-air mixture must enter the combustion chamber

If there is a fault in the system that is preventing either of the above from happening, you will not be able to start your car. Are you wondering what kind of fault can prevent a car engine from starting? Well, read on to find out…

Fault #1- Dying battery

In most cases, a dying battery is what causes your car hard to start. After all, this is the part that fulfills the electricity requirement of the starter motor and different parts of the ignition system. A dying battery will not be able to hold enough charge for the starter motor to operate. As a result, you won't be able to start your Volvo XC90. A defective battery can also result in an array of other problems.

Solution: Replace the battery and the problem will be solved.

Fault #2- Defective starter motor

In older vehicles, a common cause for starting trouble is a defective starter motor. The starter motor, as we have already discussed, gets coupled with the flywheel to breathe life into the engine. If it malfunctions due to a technical or mechanical glitch, you won't be able to start your car engine. Luckily… the starter motor of a vehicle doesn't fail without giving off a few signs.

Solution: Repairing or replacement of a vehicle’s starter motor is one of the easy things to do.

Fault #3- Bad fuel pump

Another possible explanation as to why your Volvo XC90 may become hard to start is a bad fuel pump. The fuel pump is at the heart of any vehicle's fuel delivery system. It ensures that the engine gets the right amount of fuel at the right time. A defective fuel pump may restrict the fuel supply to the engine. A limited fuel supply due to a bad fuel pump can make it difficult for you to start the engine.

Solution: Check the condition of the fuel pump and proceed accordingly.

Fault #4- Plugged up fuel/air filter

If your Volvo XC90 is hard to start, its fuel/air filter may be defective. Yes… You read that right!!! There are filters to purify the air and fuel entering the combustion chamber of the engine. But, plugged-up filters can restrict the air/fuel supply to the engine's combustion chamber. As a result, the overall functionality of your car engine will be negatively impacted. Plus, a clogged air/fuel filter can also result in starting trouble in a car.

Solution: Check your Volvo XC90’s air and fuel filters periodically and replace the faulty ones.

Fault #5- Defective fuel line

Another possible reason why you may be struggling to bring your Volvo XC90's engine to life is a faulty fuel line. The fuel line act as a mean for the fuel to reach the engine. If it gets damaged due to a physical impact or some other reason, the fuel supply to the engine will get disturbed. This may result in an array of problems including engine starting trouble.

Solution: You may need to replace the defective fuel line.

To Sum Things up…

If your Volvo XC90 is hard to start, it often signifies battery or alternator trouble. But, guess what??? Things like a cracked fuel line, clogged air/fuel filter, defective starter motor, and damaged fuel pump can also result in starting issues in a car. In any case, the culprit responsible for such a problem must be identified and repaired as soon as possible. An authorized Volvo service center is the place where you should head to get the issue resolved.