My wife is down to one key for her Volvo car. The dealer wants $415.00 for a new one, a local locksmith wants $285.00 for what he claims is a functional equivalent. Searching the web, there are sites that offer a “cloned” fob for as little as $35.00. I have been warned about these, because I have been told that the Volvo security system checks the fob, and if any code discrepancy is found, it shuts down the vehicle computer and now you are facing a tow ride to the dealer (and $300.00 to re-program the vehicle computer.)
Is there any way to disable the security system, and just use the key itself? The car is 12 years old-I doubt there are many thieves looking for an old Volvo.
Check the vehicle’s manual. If there is a section there describing key fob reprogramming, you can try the $35 jobbie. If not, I think you gotta bite the bullet and go to the dealer.
You could try the locksmith, but make sure you get a guarantee that it will work, and verify that it does, before you pay him. A reputable locksmith should have no problem with that.
And then tell me what happened, because I can only find one of my fobs (have both keys) and my fob just quit working, replacing the battery didn’t fix it, and I’m sure that will not help me sell it.
This is a generalization of common systems, and your car may do something differently.
There are usually two systems inside your key FOB: The first is the ignition system. It is a passive device similiar to an RFID chip. The key does not use a battery, only an embedded chip. The second system is the remote that opens your door/trunk (similiar to your garage door opener). That does require a battery, as it needs to send a signal to the car.
Programming a new key is different from programming a new remote. You have to look at your specific vehicle to know how exactly to program your new key and/or new remote. Usually however it takes two existing keys to program a third. Which is why it is often recommended to make that third key NOW, rather than wait until you loose one of your existing keys. If you have only one key, then the vehicle has to be hooked up to a special computer running special software (which also requires a wad of cash).
Programming a new remote (door opener) is usually simpler, and on some cars can be done without having any existing remotes handy. Again, check your vehicle’s instructions.
A new key does not need to be part of a FOB assembly. My third extra Mazda key is a key without the remote. All you have to do is get a blank key that fits the lock, and has a chip inside that is compatible with your vehicle’s chip reader. (Warning, compatible chips can even vary by year of make.) I keep this spare key tucked away (after testing it, of course), and only expect to use it if I should loose one of my real key FOBs, and need to program a new one. The new blank key was relatively inexpensive over the price of a new key FOB assembly.
A “cloned” key will not work as the second key for programming purposes. A Cloned key simply imitates the key it was cloned from, so the car system does not think it has seen two different keys.
Again, this is generalization. It also may not apply to those more fancy cars that have the keyless remotes.