Volvo key

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Tue Aug 25, 15 10:50 am

So I am driving the wifes child-tank (xc90) at the weekend. Go to start it, message on the dash "Start prohibited. Please try again". Odd.

So try again, same. Ignition comes on but no starter motor, just the message. Unload kids consider next actions. Tried again 10 mins later, starts right up. Odder and odder.

Anyway, fast fwd a couple of days, I've done some home diagnostics and concluded main key works 50% of the time. Spare key works 100% of the time. The key has a passive transponder thing in it which the steering column detects. Point is the antenna in the column is clearly fine, but one of the keys themselves has got a bit 'weak'. Sometimes.

Go to Volvo monday. "key knackered. Can you reprog please ? ". They want the whole car for the day etc etc. Anyway, I go back at the end of the day and they have diagnosed it needs a new key... Here is the punchline. Ready for it ? £345.20 - for A KEY !?!??!

Anyway, I refused. I will find another way of doing it. You cant have a non-mechanical failure and expect a customer to shell out £345 for a key to start mechanically perfectly OK vehicle that your own software has disabled ! New transponder, £50 (for a part that costs pennies) I could have lived with. But thats outrageous.

Anyhow. Any bright ideas ?

Motorama · Post by **Motorama** » Tue Aug 25, 15 10:58 am

A good friend of mine near Amersham is a Volvo specialist, looks after our V70 and C70 and sometimes my Ram , call Dave on 07973 668387, he might well tell you the dealer is the only option though, they try to squeeze out smaller garages doing repairs on late cars. Theres also a Volvo specialist in Chesham but i've never used them. Andy

andyrob · Post by **andyrob** » Tue Aug 25, 15 11:10 am

obvioulsy its not the battery ?
there will be a key specalist in your area, (that the aa was also use) who will be able to help you you, volvo parts are really dear, I'll have a guess at under £150 from none main dealer

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Aug 25, 15 12:03 pm

Got the same issue with the Mercedes and also the Durango - Merc = £250, Dodge = £150 - ALL main dealer only..............

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Tue Aug 25, 15 2:09 pm

Rip the ignition barrel out, throw the transponder in the bin and replace it with a key and barrel out of an earlier model.

Well, that's what I would do!

That is a complete con.

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Tue Aug 25, 15 3:12 pm

Thanks chaps. Gotta say, its easier with the ol' charger and a screwdriver across the starter relay...

Making yourself the only supplier for an item, locking out the use of that item through software and then charging £345 for it to work again - isnt that extortion ? Its in the grey area at best...

Adrian Worman · Post by **Adrian Worman** » Tue Aug 25, 15 3:33 pm

A key for a Fiat Punto used to be £600 & that was a few years back

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Tue Aug 25, 15 4:35 pm

Someone lost the keys to a Fiat van at work a while back and it came to that sort of money, being linked into the engine management you're a bit stuffed.

latil · Post by **latil** » Tue Aug 25, 15 5:50 pm

Autodata confirms the dealer thing,however there are many mobile auto locksmiths with the correct gear to reprog your key or sort out a new one.

Bosstang · Post by **Bosstang** » Tue Aug 25, 15 6:06 pm

I'm afraid if its the same as my 02 plate V40 it is a main dealer only job, you can't get the chips cloned, you can get a key cut to open the door but not with a chip in to start up.
Main dealer has to plug it into the volvo computer and program the car to accept a new immobiliser chip.
The immobiliser is linked through the main ECU so you can't bypass it.
I only have one key for mine and I pray I don't loose it, does mean no-one should be able to nick it though.

latil · Post by **latil** » Tue Aug 25, 15 6:11 pm

No,where my lad works a mobile guy comes out and cuts and clones new keys for the car sales guys. All makes.

andyrob · Post by **andyrob** » Tue Aug 25, 15 6:58 pm

The AA have a subcontractor in every area of the uk, who WILL be able to do this for you. You just need to know who they use for your area
I get lot of bits of salvage with no keys, and I can quite often get it sorted in my yard without the hassle/expensive of main dealer and im talking real new cars

Stu Twin · Post by **Stu Twin** » Wed Aug 26, 15 2:11 pm

I've had my '99 V70 for nearly 11 years and I think I'm on my 3rd or 4th transponder. Quite a cheap part to replace but it does seem to last for only a year or so without repeating the starting issues. Then it becomes an intermittent problem that's really frustrating.
When this happens the car will always turn over and fire up but will sometimes cut out straight away. So I take out the key, sometimes lock & unlock the car and try again. This can take a few goes but I've never been stranded.
The most recent time (about 2 months ago) I asked my local independent Volvo specialist if there were any other options and he thought he could get a replacement used ECU (with a matching key) and have it modified to link out the immobiliser which seemed a good idea. But he was unable to find one in time, so he just fitted another new transponder. I've taken to not locking the car with the fob, just using the key in the lock as if it's the immob that's causing the problem, I figured it would help id I didn't use it.

You could give the guy a call, he's in Letchworth and may be able to help. I think he's got all the gear that the main dealers have, and can certainly program keys.
IV Services, 01462 683200. Ask for Tony.

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Wed Aug 26, 15 2:37 pm

Awesome. If he has the gear/sweden-database-link worth a try.
Other than that, I was looking up the AA stuff.

Thanks.