440 immobiliser problem

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pintsized - 28 Jul 2005 20:08 GMT

Hi there,

I have a 1995 440 1.8 si. Last week the alternator died, which meant
the battery drained during a journey, and I was unable to start the car
after stopping for petrol. I recharged the battery, but found that my
main key fob was now unable to lock/unlock the doors.. although the key
itself worked fine.

This obviously meant that the immobiliser was stuck on (because the fob
is the only way to arm/disarm it). However, I tried the spare fob and
it worked without a problem.. so I was able to drive the car to a local
garage and get the alternator replaced.

Trouble is, the fob I gave them has also stopped working now.. Which
means I have a perfectly fine 440 with a replacement alternator that is
stuck in a garage and can't be started. The guy I took it to is
scratching his head about this, so I guess he's not an expert.

The batteries in the fobs aren't suspect, and one has had them replaced
just to be sure.

So I guess my question is; is there a reprogramming sequence or
something that will fix this, or do I have to pay volvo to sort it out?

Note that the immobiliser is the original factory fitted one. There is
no alarm.

This is quite urgent, so any help would be appreciated.. I'm not a car
guy, so go easy on me if I've missed something really obvious ;)

Cheers,

james.

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Steve 9000 - 28 Jul 2005 22:37 GMT

Hello there,

We have just lost a set of keys for my wife's 440 1.9 td 1996 model and we
managed to get another key cut and obtain another blank remote from a
scrappy.
We got some information from an Autodata disc concerning the procedure to
reactivate a blank fob it did look a bit hit and miss and I was concerned
that I might end up in the same situation as yourself.
Well... I contacted my local Volvo dealership (uk) and they wanted £46.00+
vat to lift the bonnet and use their magic wand.
I found an excellent local independent Volvo Garage called Corner Garage,
near Lytham, Lancashire who did their bit of black magic for £10.00
inclusive.
At one time he did have both the key fobs NOT working but as he had the
original it seemed to him to be no problem.
By the way the alarm doesn't work on my wife's car also just the central
locking and immobiliser.

Hope this will help.

Steve.

> Hi there,
>
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>
> james.

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pintsized - 30 Jul 2005 21:39 GMT

I've spoken to my local Volvo dealers, and no one will come out to look
at it, which means I need to get it towed.. which sucks.

Surely there is an easier way.. anyone know a reprogramming sequence
that might fix this?

Cheers,

James.

> Hello there,
>
[quoted text clipped - 51 lines]
> >
> > james.

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Roger Hird - 31 Jul 2005 12:40 GMT

> I've spoken to my local Volvo dealers, and no one will come out to look
> at it, which means I need to get it towed.. which sucks.

> Surely there is an easier way.. anyone know a reprogramming sequence
> that might fix this?

You could try an email to "Honest John", the motoring correspondent on the
Saturday Daily Telegraph - he has lots of useful contacts and he often
responds by email almost on return. The address is:

letters@honestjohn.co.uk

He expects full name, address and phone number and doesn't guarantee a
reply - but I've found him surprisingly helpful.

Signature

Roger Hird
roger.hird@argonet.co.uk
http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/roger.hird
Running Voyager 2.07 and RISCOS 4.39 on an Acorn StrongARM RiscPC

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Peter K L Milnes - 31 Jul 2005 21:26 GMT

Or try the VOC website technical forum. There are loads of guys with a lot
of knowledge on there. http://www.volvoclub.org.uk is the URL there is a
list of sections on the left top of the opening page, click on Community
Forums. This will take you to a forum description page where you scroll down
the page till you come to a hand pointing to the right which says enter
forums. Click on that and you will be on the Forum page. There are Five
sections the Fourth one being the Technical Forum. If you register on the
forum (top of page) you will be able to not only read but post, edit and
contact message posters direct.

All the best, Peter.

700/900/90 Register Keeper,
Volvo Owners Club (UK).

>> I've spoken to my local Volvo dealers, and no one will come out to look
>> at it, which means I need to get it towed.. which sucks.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> He expects full name, address and phone number and doesn't guarantee a
> reply - but I've found him surprisingly helpful.

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