Why would security lockout prevent car starting?
 

Hi gang,
I'm currently looking at a 2003 V70 2.5T AWD as a project car. It's sitting in someone's drive right now and the owner is saying that it needs to get towed for servicing.

The car has not been driven for a year and presumably he's got the original keys (lets assume that anyway).

I've asked him why it won't start and his reply is:

"It does not currently start. The security lockout is preventing the ignition from starting."

Huh? Has anyone come across this? Any thoughts as to why this would be happening? I think he's had a parasitic battery draw that he has not figured out. Mentioning this in case it might be related.

I'd welcome any thoughts. Would love to buy this thing as it's in fantastic shape AND has very low mileage. But if I have to tow it to the dealership well, there goes a fair chunk of potential future return.

Pierre, there can be a few things.

The easiest is a corroded starter cable - you may bring the guy's car to life in seconds and make his day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhNawwOORiM

There can also be a battery issue if the battery was drained right before the issue

Antenna ring is also a possibility

All above would have an immobilizer message

Then maybe the steering lock is damaged if he can't insert or turn the key

If the car just doesn't start, the awd DEM can be at fault

Thank you, Oragex. Well, if I'm being honest, I don't really want to make his day. I want to bargain him down to a crazy low price and THEN get his car started and get it out of there (and make MY day)! :-)

It has only got 130k km's on it. With that in mind, I'm thinking that corroded starter cable is not likely (although possible I guess).Given his battery problems I'm wondering if it was off for SO long that the immobilizer needs to be re-initialized (i.e. lock unlock 5x). Is that possible?

I guess I would be ok with towing it as long as I'm not then stuck with it in the driveway unable to figure the problem out...I'm can't believe I would not be able to sort this out though!

Alright me again, I gave up on the above car thinking it was sold but it’s still sitting in the sellers drive. I’m inclined to think that the siren module may have crapped out and that he has got a parasitic battery draw from same. I’ve got vida/dice on hand. Does anyone know if it will provide any decent info assuming I can hook up my battery to his vehicle to get some codes read?

Also trying to think this through. I don’t think that a faulty alarm module would prevent car from starting would it? It might drain the battery but I’m thinking that putting a second battery in should allow the car to start, am I right?

On the other hand if it was a bad imobilzer ring would turning the key allow the engine to at least turn over or would there be nothing except maybe dash lights? Anyone experience anything similar?

Here's some reading on which conditions are needed for CEM to call for starter crank:

http://www.volvoxc.com/0/resources/h...20Overview.pdf

Wow, ignorance was bliss! There is a lot involved in getting these babies going!

Maybe you can agree on price before and then give the car a good battery and see if you get an immobilizer DTC and also try what oragex mentioned?
The antenna ring is simple antenna so it can be just swapped with a known good unit to try.

Yeah, I'm really tempted to go with that approach. I've got the S60 I can "borrow" parts from to help troubleshoot...The antenna ring seems quite easy to take off. I should also be able to swap battery with the S60 very easily.

The only real curve ball is that I would REALLY like to plug VIDA/DICE into the vehicle before committing to buying just in case there are other things I need to keep in mind as part of price.