960 Deadlocked and can't open

[Marekl]

Hi there, I've locked my 1995 960 wagon with its original functioning Gaurd 2 remote. The next morning the car won't open and as we all know the key in any of the locks does not work. Got the bonnet open, connected another battery, so nothing. Got new batteries for the remote, still nothing.
How do I get into my car? Help please. Thanks. Marek

[Laird Scooby]

Your remote may have gone out of sync with the car, especially after the battery change. If it has two buttons (lock and unlock) press the lock button rapidly 6-12 times standing close to the car then press the unlock button rapidly 6-12 times until it unlocks.

If it's only one button, same procedure but obviously with only one button.

If that doesn't work, do you know if the keys worked the locks in the doors before the failure of the electronic entry? If so, there should be some procedure to release the deadlock with the key but sadly i don't know it - many cars you have to hold the car in the unlock position, others you turn to the lock and then unlock position and hold.

[Forrest]

I’m not sure the 960 had the deadlock feature in the UK market. In regions where it was available it would have presumably been a similar system to that on the 850 whereby the indicators give a second flash shortly after arming the alarm and the central locking relay disconnects the interior handles and dogs the pawls in the latches to prevent them being opened with a lockout tool. I thought the key should still work in the exterior lock on the front doors. Have you tried both sides?

I have found that on one of my 940s equipped with the Volvoguard 2 system the fobs have stopped working reliably from a distance but they can sometimes be persuaded to work by repeating one or more of the following methods.

• Pressing the button harder
• Holding the fob under your chin and pressing the button
• Holding the fob close to the windscreen on the passenger side and pressing the button

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Forrest

I’m not sure the 960 had the deadlock feature in the UK market. In regions where it was available it would have presumably been a similar system to that on the 850 whereby the indicators give a second flash shortly after arming the alarm and the central locking relay disconnects the interior handles and dogs the pawls in the latches to prevent them being opened with a lockout tool. I thought the key should still work in the exterior lock on the front doors. Have you tried both sides?

I have found that on one of my 940s equipped with the Volvoguard 2 system the fobs have stopped working reliably from a distance but they can sometimes be persuaded to work by repeating one or more of the following methods.

• Pressing the button harder
• Holding the fob under your chin and pressing the button
• Holding the fob close to the windscreen on the passenger side and pressing the button

The OP is in Johannesburg so might well have had dead-locking from the factory. Have to admit when i saw your first two tips to persuade the fob to work i thought "Nah - he's having a laugh!" then thought about it for a moment.
I have a fob (non-Volvo) that used to only work when the button was pressed harder or i squeezed it with one hand while pressing the button with the other - both similar to your methods.
I opened it up and found our old friend, a dry joint on the battery to board connection. Resoldered and now it works first time, every time, with a gentle button press like it was intended.

I've also heard of the Volvo RF circuits wandering off frequency due to components ageing and tolerances increasing. Some have successfully retuned the circuits. but meanwhile holding the fob closer to the car will help.

[Forrest]

I spotted the OP is from SA and indeed, additional security makes sense. I have friends there. I know.

For an analysis of point 2 have a read of

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/tec...care-rem-83663

I heard about it years ago and was also sceptical; but it does work, sometimes.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Forrest

I spotted the OP is from SA and indeed, additional security makes sense. I have friends there. I know.

For an analysis of point 2 have a read of

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/tec...care-rem-83663

I heard about it years ago and was also sceptical; but it does work, sometimes.

That's something i hadn't considered on point 2, i was going on the squeeze the case and it'll hold the cnotacts together idea.

The head contains the brain ( obviously!) but the big point is that it's something like 90% water - that makes an excellent groundplane which reflects RF so could increase the range somewhat.

I've known a few people from SA and totally agree, it can be pretty lawless out there! I wasn't sure you'd spotted that bit so thought i'd mention he was from Jo'burg - it's surprising how many people often miss things like that through skim reading - i know i did the first time round!

[Piet22]

Holding the Fob against your forehead works or a bottle of water works even better. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uqf71muwWc