Back in the fold - with questions.

[Tetleysmooth]

After a brief foray into Saab ownership, I'm happy to report I'm back in the Volvo fold, namely a 2003 C70 convertible auto.
The Saab was a very good car, an 05 plate 9-3 1.8t Linear, but it was a manual, and I really couldn't get on with the gearchanging. I live in East London/Essex, a very busy area. I was forever on the clutch pedal.

Anyhow, the questions.
The C70 came with one key and one fob. I can't see the key being much of a problem to duplicate, but I know nothing about fob programming. Would it be possible for me to buy a three button (lock - unlock - boot) fob and get it programmed to the car?

Thanks in advance.

[ITSv40]

Originally Posted by Tetleysmooth

After a brief foray into Saab ownership, I'm happy to report I'm back in the Volvo fold, namely a 2003 C70 convertible auto.
The Saab was a very good car, an 05 plate 9-3 1.8t Linear, but it was a manual, and I really couldn't get on with the gearchanging. I live in East London/Essex, a very busy area. I was forever on the clutch pedal.

Anyhow, the questions.
The C70 came with one key and one fob. I can't see the key being much of a problem to duplicate, but I know nothing about fob programming. Would it be possible for me to buy a three button (lock - unlock - boot) fob and get it programmed to the car?

Thanks in advance.

Only Volvo or an independent who has bought the Volvo software can programme the fob and they will only do it on a fob that they have supplied.

[christheancient]

Originally Posted by ITSv40

Only Volvo or an independent who has bought the Volvo software can programme the fob and they will only do it on a fob that they have supplied.

And be prepared to be amazed at the (high) price!

I was 'lucky'. I got a 2nd-hand locking module with two fobs from a seller on here. And that meant that I now had two working fobs - but only the one key I've always had.

Because of physical limitations, i.e. my back and knees, I found it extremely difficult to kneel and twist my back into the sort of 'Z' shape needed to put in the replacement locking module. Off to my indy I went and he plugged it in in about two minutes!

So, to make things 'tidy', and to 'pay' for the freebie job he did for free, I got a 'spare key' made up through my him and coded. Gulp! Open your wallet and repeat after me: "Help yourself!"

I often wondered it it would have been cheaper to just get a spare key and a spare fob for the original set up!

Keys and fobs are not cheap jobs!

[ITSv40]

Certainly not cheap. I bought a new key and separate fob from Volvo for the V40 about 3 years ago - similar to the C70 setup - and with programming included it all came to £270

[Spawned66]

Originally Posted by Tetleysmooth

The C70 came with one key and one fob. I can't see the key being much of a problem to duplicate, but I know nothing about fob programming.

Thanks in advance.

The key actually has a chip in it that’s read by the antenna ring in the ignition.
There are some Timpsons stores ( not all) that can cut and program the key but not sure the cost. The Timpson by me said it might actually be cheaper just to have the dealer do it.
I’m in the same boat, 1 key & fob. I have key cover on my insurance just in case lol

Brian

[Tetleysmooth]

Thanks for the replies.
Gulp.
Key cover on insurance sounds like the way forward.

[christheancient]

Originally Posted by Tetleysmooth

Thanks for the replies.
Gulp.
Key cover on insurance sounds like the way forward.

Would key cover be a sensible price - or would it be getting on for the price of a new spare key and fob?

[ASt85]

Re the one key and fob -
try post 7 at this link https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=277553
or
try post 8 at this link https://volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?p=2438904

Replacing the central locking receiver unit with a second hand one with two fobs from a breaker (try minty). - the fobs are factory coded to the receiver - a Volvo supplied replacement fob coded to your receiver is eye wateringly expensive.

As said above the chipped key can be copied by some Timpsons.

[Tetleysmooth]

Went into Timpsons a couple of days ago.
They can cut some Volvo keys - £59 - but not mine, main dealer only.

[ITSv40]

Originally Posted by Tetleysmooth

Went into Timpsons a couple of days ago.
They can cut some Volvo keys - £59 - but not mine, main dealer only.

That is exactly what I was told when sorting out my V40 key.

I did try a very good indy who I have used on several occasions and very trustworthy. Their response was that they could cut the keys and programme the fob, but have to purchase the software from Volvo and the best they could do would be to discount by £20. Given that the indy is a 120m round trip and the main dealer is 14m round trip, it just did not stack up to use the indy.