Electrics: Volvo 2003 XC90 electrical issues

[Familyman 90]

Originally Posted by Darrenw

I would have thought the same for any other car but for some reason there are quite a few cases of Volvos not starting just because of a dead key. Seems more common on xc90 though.

I had key trouble last year after dropping mine and the main key ceasing to be able to start the car.

This led to a lot of fiddling, strippping, and experimenting to see if I could revive the key. I discovered that the spare would start the car with no battery at all, which confirms that the key battery powers only the unlock functions and is not involved in any capacity in the keys ability to start the car.

As mentioned above, the transponder that the cars immobiloser reads is a glass capsule somewhat smaller than an ibuprofen tablet. It has no physical external connection to any other external components or power supply - it is a self contained capsule.

In the end I couldn't make the dead key start the car (would open doors etc just fine). I did considerer ordering a new transponder capsule from abroad and then getting the key reprogrammed, but that was a lot of faff for uncertain results, so I paid the dealer for a new one.

[k saunders]

Hi All.
Big thanks to all the advice. So the car did not start, carried out all the normal thoughts, testing battery etc. no go. next morning key in ignition car started first time until tonight. stuck in Corby so called RAC. great guy went through the various tests and found duff wire on the starter motor. Made temp fix on way home will get new wire tomorrow.

Again thanks to all.