Waterproof sport key - battery low

tonged · Apr 27th, 2018, 12:10

My waterproof sport key tag thing (the small third key, that's in the bottom of the box of keys the car comes with) seems to be low on battery. I've had it almost three years.

According to this page it's a sealed unit and you can't replace the battery!

Has anybody else had this happen? My local dealer has quoted £160 for a new key tag. That seems rather punchy...

Deman77 · Apr 27th, 2018, 12:49

That is true, and price seems right seeing as it’s a very good alternative to real key which would probably cost x5.
Since it’s throwaway, nothing stopping you from taking it to a mobile phone repair kid and asking him to try to unseal then reseal it.

steladamo · Apr 27th, 2018, 13:28

It is interesting that it lasted only 3 years. If you don't mind how often were you using it? Like was it on a daily basis or did you just had it in a box and used occasionaly and on holidays?

My theory is that the less you use it the more its battery lasts, but now you can actually prove or reject my theory.

tonged · Apr 27th, 2018, 13:53

Alas, I barely ever used it until the last few weeks. Indeed, I can't have used it more than 20 times in three years. However, I had just decided to use it as my 'main' key as it's so much smaller than the regular keys, which are just so bulky. So, rather disappointed that it packed up so quickly.

Lexman8 · Apr 27th, 2018, 14:04

The battery inside is just a standard CR2032. The tag will always consume power 'listening' for a signal from the car at which point it will transmit and use more power, albeit briefly. My guess is that using it every day will decrease the battery life but it's gonna expire anyway even if you never use it.

If you intend keeping the car beyond 3 years you might as well use it now because it'll probably be dead in 4 or 5 years regardless.

Attached pic shows the insides.
_

nu11eaf · Apr 27th, 2018, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonged

My waterproof sport key tag thing (the small third key, that's in the bottom of the box of keys the car comes with) seems to be low on battery.

Has anybody else had this happen? My local dealer has quoted £160 for a new key tag. That seems rather punchy...

What indication have you had that it is low on battery power, I have used my waterproof key exclusively for 2 years now and still going strong,

Philip Fisher · Apr 27th, 2018, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexman8

The battery inside is just a standard CR2032. The tag will always consume power 'listening' for a signal from the car at which point it will transmit and use more power, albeit briefly. My guess is that using it every day will decrease the battery life but it's gonna expire anyway even if you never use it.

If you intend keeping the car beyond 3 years you might as well use it now because it'll probably be dead in 4 or 5 years regardless.

Attached pic shows the insides.
_

That hasnt been sympathetically opened has it Lexman?! I assume not yours? I would imagine you would do a neater job.....

Lexman8 · Apr 27th, 2018, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

That hasnt been sympathetically opened has it Lexman?! I assume not yours? I would imagine you would do a neater job.....

Ha ha! No, it's not mine. Apparently they are next to impossible to open, being (super) glued or ultrasonically welded.

It's a shame the battery can't be replaced; making something that's waterproof but can still be opened isn't that difficult (watches, cameras, phones, etc, all manage it). It's not very 'green' for Volvo to supply something that has to be thrown away just because the battery is dead (and I'll bet very few of them end up being disposed of properly).

I'm going to start using mine more often now as I doubt I'll fork out £160 for another one, especially given that the BoM for it is probably about £5 and I hate being ripped off.

Paulj1 · Nov 20th, 2018, 12:37

it worse than that.... the fob replacement is £160 and you have to pay £100 workshop charge to pair it.... !!!

FFS Volvo customer service here i come.....

Whyman · Nov 20th, 2018, 14:14

If you take it apart carefully you should be able to replace the battery and still use the key fob but it may not be waterproof.

Still a much smaller option to the standard key and if you do get it wet and ruin it you will have only the cost of a battery and your time to do the job.

Much cheaper than £260 to have a new one programmed in.

Apr 27th, 2018, 12:10	#1
tonged New Member Last Online: Dec 21st, 2023 16:15 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: London	Waterproof sport key - battery low My waterproof sport key tag thing (the small third key, that's in the bottom of the box of keys the car comes with) seems to be low on battery. I've had it almost three years. According to this page it's a sealed unit and you can't replace the battery! Has anybody else had this happen? My local dealer has quoted £160 for a new key tag. That seems rather punchy...

Apr 27th, 2018, 12:49	#2
Deman77 Master Member Last Online: Apr 1st, 2022 14:14 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Greater London	That is true, and price seems right seeing as it’s a very good alternative to real key which would probably cost x5. Since it’s throwaway, nothing stopping you from taking it to a mobile phone repair kid and asking him to try to unseal then reseal it. __________________ XC90 D5 P* MY16 BMW i3

Apr 27th, 2018, 13:28	#3
steladamo Member Last Online: Nov 19th, 2021 13:06 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Athens	It is interesting that it lasted only 3 years. If you don't mind how often were you using it? Like was it on a daily basis or did you just had it in a box and used occasionaly and on holidays? My theory is that the less you use it the more its battery lasts, but now you can actually prove or reject my theory. __________________ 2018 XC60 T5 R Design - Ice White, Panorama, Keyless Entry, 4 Zone Climate, PA, 360 Camera

Nov 20th, 2018, 14:14	#10
Whyman Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 13:07 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Newark	If you take it apart carefully you should be able to replace the battery and still use the key fob but it may not be waterproof. Still a much smaller option to the standard key and if you do get it wet and ruin it you will have only the cost of a battery and your time to do the job. Much cheaper than £260 to have a new one programmed in. __________________ XC60 2013 D5 215 SE Lux Nav geartronic

Apr 27th, 2018, 13:53	#4
tonged New Member Last Online: Dec 21st, 2023 16:15 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: London	Alas, I barely ever used it until the last few weeks. Indeed, I can't have used it more than 20 times in three years. However, I had just decided to use it as my 'main' key as it's so much smaller than the regular keys, which are just so bulky. So, rather disappointed that it packed up so quickly.

Nov 20th, 2018, 12:37	#9
Paulj1 Junior Member Last Online: May 13th, 2021 23:48 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Glasgow	it worse than that.... the fob replacement is £160 and you have to pay £100 workshop charge to pair it.... !!! FFS Volvo customer service here i come.....

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