V40: duplicate key cutting and programming

[Fortune7]

My V40 1.8XS, year 2000 (just bought) has only one key and remote fob. The key is not a Volvo branded one but it works in all locks and ignition. I'd really like to get a second key (in case of loss, etc) but - you guessed it - the Volvo local dealer wants about £130 for just the key and matching the transponder chip - which I presume it has......Or is it possible that the immobiliser has been somehow disconnected and this key is just a chipless-key? The parts guy when asked about this said he thought disconnecting the immobiliser successfully would be difficult.

I dropped-into another locksmith today who advertised 'All car makes keys cut and programmed', but he said Volvos can't be done by anyone besides the Dealer.

So, does anyone here know where to get a duplicate key cut-and-coded, please?

Cheers, Andy

[caiw123]

had to do this myself and was told by every key cutter i went , that i had to go direct to volvo ... £120 later and i had a key.
looks like the only option afraid

[Clan]

security , ie keys and fobs are an expensive business for any car not just volvos ... security isnt cheap .

[The Hooded Claw]

Andy,

its not so much as getting a key cut its the way the Volvo ECU's set up ..they only have a "Certain Number" of "spaces" in the ECU for keys My C70 had 4 spaces but I only had 1 key but the other spaces were already programmed for "Lost" keys

so even if you get a key cut "Elsewhere" for the car, the "Spaces" Available in the ECU may already be "Taken" by YOUR lost keys it cost £118 fer mine but in supplying my new key & Fob the dealership Wiped out the "Lost Keys" from the ECU memory (giving me 2 "New" spare spaces)

its a DEALER ONLY Visit I'm afraid


Keith

[Fortune7]

Thanks for all replies - it's appreciated! Looks like I'll be very careful with my (one) key and at some stage later I'll invest in that second one!

Cheers, Andy

[andy_d]

just a note here (cos im in same boat 1 key 1 fob)

IF they are lost, the bill is a Lot more, quite a lot more....
it seems steep £250ish for a key + fob, but when you consider the only way to steal our volvos is with the key + fob.. its kinda worth it in my book.

also the "missing" keys and fobs can be removed from the car at the main dealers, so no one other than you can start it, peace of mind ballances the £ for me there as well.

[Fortune7]

Thanks for the replies to date - all very helpful.

I'm still intrigued as to the 'non-volvo' key I have; I am now thinking the immobiliser has somehow been disconnected, then a previous owner was able to just get a key without the chip.

I guess the only way to check my theory is to get a duplicate (non-chip) key cut and try it, but is there any other way to tell if the immobiliser's working, i.e. that I have a 'transponder' key? The LED on the speaker grille (top left of dash) doesn't seem to be working when the car's locked with the fob, and opening the door with the key doesn't set off the alarm, either! perhaps the alarm is duff too....As I said earlier, I have only owned the car for a few days and am now discovering its secrets (good and bad)

Cheers, Andy