S60 D5 immobiliser issue ( I think)

[Ian 67]

Hi can anybody help me with a problem. I have a S60 D5 2003 I have had this car 12 yrs and love it 200000 plus miles around europe. Its been an absolute pleasure to own never failed or let me down in anyway.

However yesterday my wife went out in the car she she got in ( doors were unlocked when she got to the car) and started the car no problem. But she had forgot something stopped the car to go back in the house. This is when she noticed the key fob was not on the keyring. She locked the car using the key but when she returned minutes later the car would not start.

Everything comes on all the electrics work it just will not turn over. I found the key fob under a chair it must have been dropped as it had broken apart and been there overnight, its the only one I have for the vehicle.
The fob is back together and operates the doors head lights etc no problem.

I have tried all the tips of pressing the trip counter button and do get the amber triangle flashing but still wont start. I have tried the locking and unlocking the doors. I have disconnected the battery but has not reset.Its like the immobiliser is not turning off.

I would appreciate any thoughts on fixing this. I am normally ok at fixing issues but cant think what this can be.

Cheers

[SwissXC90]

It certainly sounds like the car is not detecting the immobilizer chip in the keyfob.

The piece that enables the immobilizer is a passive immobilizer chip, which is like a little glass bead (also called grain-of-rice or pill), glued to the inside case of the remote keyfob
Here's a video showing one being removed from a keyfob:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLTWwHaJZYc

And another one telling you about keyfobs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GmiNnTAG2Q

The immobiliser chip is not part of the remote lock/unlock system (which is the battery and little circuit board and buttons)

If you dropped the keyfob and it broke, the immobilizer chip may have come dislodged and be lying on the floor somewhere. Or it might have broken on the impact.

If you cannot find the immobilizer chip, then you will need to get a replacement key from Volvo ($$$$)

Note that when Volvo program a new key, they need all keys physically present with the car, as any key not there on the day will be disabled.

[Ian 67]

Thanks for the information very much appreciated. I Checked immobiliser, keys etc all seemed in order. So spoke with local car locksmith and was advised the same only way to reprogram is through volvo so was expecting £££ to fall out of my pocket. When I spoke with volvo I was advised that the first diagnostic tests are £114 per hr so was right about cost. And of course I had to get the car to them.

Now the best bit called RAC to recover the vehicle to volvo. Explained to the mechanic who attended what had happened. He got a wire from the van ran it from the relay/battery direct to starter motor and car started.

Checked battery was charging all ok so stopped the engine and tried again, no start.So un plugged main feed to starter motor cleaned terminal up with emery paper and turned key started straight away. Problem gone. who would have thunk it. That simple, have to forgive the old car it is well over 200k on clock the first time its ever stopped in my 12yrs of owning it .