Start button intermittently not working

[JGEM]

My 2009 XC60 has developed a problem whereby I insert the key and there is the usual whirring noise and the key is fully inserted but absolutely nothing happens when I push the start button. This is now happening about a quarter of the time I try to start the car.

The solution so far has been to remove the key and reinsert and it generally starts straight away. On a few occasions I've had to do the reinsertion process twice before it will start

My concern is that one day it wont start at all and that it will be a day when my wife has the car in the middle of nowhere and it's raining and dark...

One clue I have observed is that on a few random occasions a message has popped up about needing to depress the brake pedal (even though I already have the brake pedal pushed). Note that on the vast majority of no start problem occurrences however I get absolutely no messages at all

Anyone else had a similar problem and if so how was it solved ?

[MikeGMT]

Only thing that immediately springs to mind, could it need a new battery in the fob?

Happy New Year

[Richard M Knight]

I don't think the battery is used for the ignition, only for the lock remote

[Spike56]

A stupid question.... Diesel or petrol?

The reason I ask is that my S60 D5 has a simple push in key (no mechanicals pulling it in or pushing out) and also requires the foot brake application. The other day I had a fright when the car took a relatively long time to start. Thinking it through I came to the conclusion that without a 'glow plug warming light' and given some very low temperatures I was expecting an instant start but the glow plugs were catching up!

I also found that I don't have to hold the start button until the engine fires, I can simply push it and the car will fire up when IT'S ready!

I miss real key starter systems!

[JGEM]

Yes, it’s a diesel, but the problem is not a delay in starting, but a total lack of response to start button no matter how long I wait. When it does respond to the start button it starts immediately. 31 degrees today and had the problem occur.

Changing to spare key today and will see if that makes any difference....

John

[uniqueue]

Do the ignition controlled parts of the display light up when you press the start button?

[JGEM]

When the no response problem with key occurs, absolutely nothing happens with the ignition or dash panel, apart from that initial whirring noise where the key is drawn into the socket.

[jasmith44]

Originally Posted by JGEM

Changing to spare key today and will see if that makes any difference....

John

Did you and did it.

[JGEM]

Spare key in use and so far so good, will report back after a couple of weeks to confirm that this has fixed the problem

[JGEM]

OK, even with the spare key now in use the problem has just happened this morning - key inserted and zero response. Remove and re-insert key and car starts OK.

Surely I cant be the only person to have ever had this problem ?