V50 General : - Keyfob suddenly not working - what to do now?

elsmandino · Mar 4th, 2019, 19:24

Hello.

The keyfob on my 2009 petrol V50 has suddenly stopped working (I had trouble unlocking the central locking this evening and it only unlocked when I was really close to the car). It has now stopped working altogether.

I have checked the battery and that the central locking works with my spare key, so am pretty sure that the the fob itself has developed a fault.

I have just that there are companies out there that can repair keyfobs for a fraction of the costs of contacting the main dealer. Are these a gimmick or are they really worth considering?

A few seem to be recommended on Honest John and many seem to only charge if you they are successful (but for the postage fee).

I know I am going to absolutely fleeced if I go to Volvo, so am considering all other avenues first.

Any tips/advice would be much appreciated.

SwissXC90 · Mar 4th, 2019, 19:55

Firstly, confirm 100% that it is the main keyfob by comparing with spare keyfob.
If both have the same symptoms, it is not the keyfob

If one is much worse than the other, it is the keyfob

What often fails is the buttons themselves: the mini microswitches or conductive pads.
The companies that refurbish the keyfobs generally fit new switches, or rubber pads, and then everything is OK again.

Sometimes it is bad battery contacts.

That is why they can offer a fix or no charge service as the cleaning and new switches costs very little in parts and time.

So I recommend trying the keyfob repair first.

elsmandino · Mar 4th, 2019, 20:23

Thanks for that.

I have compared the keyfobs and it is definitely my main one that it is faulty - I have switched batteries between them and the main one does not work at all (i.e. none of the five buttons work at all).

It is good to know that there is at least a slight chance that I could get it working again on the cheap.

I don't suppose you can recommend any reputable company for this, could you?

Oddly enough, when I bought the car from a dealer (a couple of years ago) one of the keyfobs was not working then and it was a right pain the a*** getting the dealer to agree to pay to have a new one bought in and programmed by Volvo themselves.

I have never had a keyfob go bad on me before so to get two go bad in as many years is a bit odd.

Mar 4th, 2019, 19:24	#1
elsmandino Junior Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 15:35 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Essex	Keyfob suddenly not working - what to do now? Hello. The keyfob on my 2009 petrol V50 has suddenly stopped working (I had trouble unlocking the central locking this evening and it only unlocked when I was really close to the car). It has now stopped working altogether. I have checked the battery and that the central locking works with my spare key, so am pretty sure that the the fob itself has developed a fault. I have just that there are companies out there that can repair keyfobs for a fraction of the costs of contacting the main dealer. Are these a gimmick or are they really worth considering? A few seem to be recommended on Honest John and many seem to only charge if you they are successful (but for the postage fee). I know I am going to absolutely fleeced if I go to Volvo, so am considering all other avenues first. Any tips/advice would be much appreciated.

Mar 4th, 2019, 19:55	#2
SwissXC90 Premier Member Last Online: Mar 20th, 2024 18:26 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Cross Country	Firstly, confirm 100% that it is the main keyfob by comparing with spare keyfob. If both have the same symptoms, it is not the keyfob If one is much worse than the other, it is the keyfob What often fails is the buttons themselves: the mini microswitches or conductive pads. The companies that refurbish the keyfobs generally fit new switches, or rubber pads, and then everything is OK again. Sometimes it is bad battery contacts. That is why they can offer a fix or no charge service as the cleaning and new switches costs very little in parts and time. So I recommend trying the keyfob repair first. __________________ XC90 R-Design MY2009, Black Sapphire Metallic. HP-Sound, RSE, Nav, Tel, ParkingCam, BLIS, ParkingHeater, RestHeat, Removable Towbar, Summer: CRATUS 20x8 on Pirelli Scorpion Zeros 255/45, Winter: NEPTUNE 17x7 on Continental WinterContact 4x4 235/65.

Mar 4th, 2019, 20:23	#3
elsmandino Junior Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 15:35 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Essex	Thanks for that. I have compared the keyfobs and it is definitely my main one that it is faulty - I have switched batteries between them and the main one does not work at all (i.e. none of the five buttons work at all). It is good to know that there is at least a slight chance that I could get it working again on the cheap. I don't suppose you can recommend any reputable company for this, could you? Oddly enough, when I bought the car from a dealer (a couple of years ago) one of the keyfobs was not working then and it was a right pain the a*** getting the dealer to agree to pay to have a new one bought in and programmed by Volvo themselves. I have never had a keyfob go bad on me before so to get two go bad in as many years is a bit odd.

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