'96 855 Alarm/Immobiliser/Central Lock

Hi,
Can anyone offer advice on the following, I'm not sure if it is a malfunction or a quirk of the Volvo Alarm system (Factory fitted)

Model: 1996(N) 855GLT 2.5 20V Auto. Mileage 51,000.

Following a very intermittent 'fault' with the operation of the alarm/immmobiliser etc. via the key fob I bought a new Volvo Key fob (£53)last week. The responsiveness of the central locking function seemed to be better, still slow compared to my VW Golf but I understand this is due to the way in which the Volvo system is wired.
Today the new key fob didn't work, the car was opened using the key which does not disable the alarm or the immobiliser...lots of beeping and no go.

The car was opened and the alarm /immobiliser disarmed using the spare(original fob).

I reprogrammed the new fob (4 on/offs + 1 on of the ignition), noted that the new one then worked but the original did not, reprogrammed the original, tested both while sitting in the car - both worked, got out the car, the new key fob failed to work the original still works!...Hmmmm.

Are there any alarm experts out there who can advise:
1. Is the system configured such that the alarm/immobiliser can only be disabled using the key fob. This seems illogical as possession of the key should surely 'permit' access and disarming of all anti-theft functions ?
2. Is there a 'work around' to enable the car to be driven should the fob fail to open the car?
3. Does the the failure sequence I have described above give any clues as to what fault may be in the system if any?
4. Could I simply be unlucky and have bought a faulty new fob or is this clutching at straws?
5. Is there any diagnostic function that can be run on the alarm system to help fault find.

The car is used mainly by my wife and with three small children this fault is creating major hassle. I'd appreciate any advice.
Thanks

[Chris_Rogers]

>Hi,
>Can anyone offer advice on the following, I'm not sure if it
>is a malfunction or a quirk of the Volvo Alarm system
>(Factory fitted)
>
>Model: 1996(N) 855GLT 2.5 20V Auto. Mileage 51,000.
>
>Following a very intermittent 'fault' with the operation of
>the alarm/immmobiliser etc. via the key fob I bought a new
>Volvo Key fob (£53)last week. The responsiveness of the
>central locking function seemed to be better, still slow
>compared to my VW Golf but I understand this is due to the
>way in which the Volvo system is wired.
>Today the new key fob didn't work, the car was opened using
>the key which does not disable the alarm or the
>immobiliser...lots of beeping and no go.
>
>The car was opened and the alarm /immobiliser disarmed using
>the spare(original fob).
>
>I reprogrammed the new fob (4 on/offs + 1 on of the
>ignition), noted that the new one then worked but the
>original did not, reprogrammed the original, tested both
>while sitting in the car - both worked, got out the car, the
>new key fob failed to work the original still
>works!...Hmmmm.

You have to programme all the fobs you want to work at the same time, within 15 seconds of each other.

>Are there any alarm experts out there who can advise:
>1. Is the system configured such that the alarm/immobiliser
>can only be disabled using the key fob. This seems illogical
>as possession of the key should surely 'permit' access and
>disarming of all anti-theft functions ?

Yes, but the alarm and immobiliser are seporate functions and seporate units.

>2. Is there a 'work around' to enable the car to be driven
>should the fob fail to open the car?

Yes, but I don't think it would be wise to put it on a public forum.

>3. Does the the failure sequence I have described above give
>any clues as to what fault may be in the system if any?

Maybe you didn't programme both remotes together.

>4. Could I simply be unlucky and have bought a faulty new
>fob or is this clutching at straws?

Try reprogramming both together, if the new one does not work and the old one does then the new one's faulty or it's batteries want changing (how long has it been "in stock").

>5. Is there any diagnostic function that can be run on the
>alarm system to help fault find.

Yes the dealer has this, but try reprogramming/batteries first.

>
>The car is used mainly by my wife and with three small
>children this fault is creating major hassle. I'd appreciate
>any advice.
>Thanks
>

Good Luck!

Chris, Thanks for your advice,I've had both retuned again and both are working, still puzzled why the new one should have suddenly ceased to function after 1 weeks use.
Also got the answer to Q2 from a local Volvo specialist who also queried if a mobile phone had been near the fob, can a fob be 'wiped' if exposed to a mobile phone signal for example?
Thanks
Gary

[sheerwater]

I had problems with both 940 and V70 alarms. Funny how it started when a new (respectable) family moved into the area. I casually mentioned this to the parents and mysteriously the problems stopped!!! Obviously somebody had a scanner or some other device i.e. radio contolled cars, walkie talkies etc which somehow affected the alarms. It was also pointed out to me that radio phones, mobiles, police and ambulance radios etc. etc can affect car alarms due to freak conditions. Cheers Nigel