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Immobilizer S60

Today I had removed the negative battery cable for half and hour. Replaced the cable and made multiple stop today, the car started fine.

Just went to a store came out and I got the immobilizer warning light....no crank.

Errrrr!!! There I sit with my broken leg and crutch. Finally saw someone I know that gave me a ride home.

Did removing the negative cable do something and can the car learn my key again without a dealer?

I really dislike all this computer crap but what are ya gonna do?

Help please.








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Immobilizer S60

Try locking and unlocking your car 5 times. Then read this from Volvo Forum:

The main problem is the corroded starter wire that is starting the problem. When this problem starts you attempt to start the car and it "locks" or immobilizes the car from starting. So you have to do the lock/unlock 5 times as described above to reset the system. What I did was reset the immobilizer system and jiggled the set of wires going to the starter and it started. I have yet to undo the set of wires as they're hard to get to and I'm not a car person. Going to take to a friend and have him help. But if you're in a pinch and can locate where the start is, there is a set of wires to the left that you can jiggle. This allowed me to start it. Worst case scenario, take it to your mechanic and have them do this first before they start replacing crap.
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new








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Immobilizer S60

I tried the reset and it didn't work. With my broken leg it is a bit difficult to lean far into the engine. The only thing I could do was spray WD40 on the big wire to the solenoid. Where the big wire to the start itself is located far away from where I could lean into.

I called a dealer that is very trustworthy (used before) but they are 40 miles away. I asked if they think the key needs to be re-programmed and they said that is probably not the fix. When the keys go bad the circuitry inside is fried and a new key is needed.

So I will need to tow the car to the dealer that is not at all my choice. They are the type that will empty one's wallet in quick manner.

So I am now back to driving th 345,00 odometer miles Subbie that always starts. It isn't the Volvo but I know exactly where the big wire is to the starter and can get at it in my Sunday best without getting dirty.

The 2007 V70 has a bit of an issue starting with my key. Sometimes ya turn to the far right and nothing. I don't think my wife's key has this problem.








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Immobilizer S60

Too bad you didn't bring both keys, or did you? Locking and unlocking should have worked. Try it again when waiting for the tow truck.

BTW, my wife's old Audi had the same pedal response when I drove it. I did the battery disconnect and my wife complained that she had to really get on the gas to get it moving. I wonder who really has a lead foot!
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new








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Immobilizer S60

I don't have two keys. I'm wondering if a low voltage at the battery could be an issue?

Well I liked the way the acceleration was feeling after disconnecting the battery. It gave me the choice if I wanted to give it the gas to get it going.

I'm heading back with a good spare battery to give it a jump.








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Immobilizer S60

You're doing good for a temporary gimpy guy! I like the low battery idea, but that usually gives you a bunch of non-related codes. Good luck. Besides, disconnecting the battery for a bit just might help the 'security' module.
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new








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Immobilizer


I didn't disconnect the cable. Using good jumper cables I placed the good
battery in-line with the installed battery. No luck. I forgot my
multimeter so I couldn't check the voltage on the existing battery.

I called the dealer and a new antenna ring is $62. From what I understand,
to install a new antenna ring you remove three #25 torx screws on the
bottom of the column cover and then pry off the top and bottom.

If I have room to put my leg, even gimpy should be able to install a new
ring. The only possible problem is that the steering wheel is not facing
straight ahead and since I can't start the car moving the wheel may be
difficult. I am parked sideways on a parking lot with a small degree of
grading.

If that doesn't work it may be the key. Then I will need to get the car
towed to the dealer and a new key.









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Immobilizer

It really doesn't sound like an antenna ring to me. When you try the starter, do the relays click? The starter solenoid will not make any noise.

There are so many out there with the same problem and almost all of them found the problem to be a corroded terminal(s) on the passenger side of the starter. If you had a mirror you could drop it between the fan and block and take a look.

Back in the old days, when things were simple, I used to use a long handled screwdriver to ground the starter. The starter solenoid died on my VW and I had no funds to repair it.
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new








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Immobilizer

Hope you are still watching.

The immobilizer light doesn't come one the first time I try to start. It takes multiple tries and then the immobilizer light illuminates.

How extensive is VIDA at finding faults in the car system?

There was an odd thing I found laying in the bottom column cover. It may have been there for a long time and from something someone did years ago. There was a spring and a brass post looking piece.

Took pictures.

At first I thought these two pieces were not related but then I notices that the spring fit very well into the open barrel. This could be related to the none start.

https://www.brickboard.com/IMAGELIB/volvopic.htm?id=12350
https://www.brickboard.com/IMAGELIB/volvopic.htm?js_link=1&id=12351








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Immobilizer

Looks like the locking pin for the steering wheel. Does your steering wheel lock when the key is removed? Has nothing to do with starting the car.

Often times removed when the lock does not allow the key to go to pos I or II.
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new








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Immobilizer

It use to lock but not sure now that I can't start the car. I don't like forcing the wheel when it isn't power assisted.

I have to get it towed.

There are three neighbors that have Volvo's. The one guy takes his to an independent shop that has the VIDA system and doesn't like the dealer.

So does this weird situation warrant a dealer or the independent shop that my neighbor like and has the VIDA system. I know the independent shop has been around for a long time.

I am not at all comfortable because it is very, very rare that our four cars aren't fixed by me.








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Immobilizer

Dealer not required. A GOOD indy beats a dealer every time.
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new








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Immobilizer

If anyone is still following this the problem is fixed. It was the connector at the starter. The garage cleaned / crimped it and it starts every time.

Normally I would have done it but with a fractured leg (upper and lower Fibula) I needed some help. The good thing is I found an honest garage. They could have easily said it was the starter, installed one and stood back and said --- see it starts now.

The work order says - "signal wire connector at the starter - some corrosion, cleaned terminal and end crimped - vehicle started."

Fixed it for some labor time -- $79.50.

I will most definitely give them a good write up and recommend them to my Mercedes driving friends.








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Immobilizer - fixed

All right, way to go 'gimpy'!

If you go to 'shops' in the drag down menu, you can add them to the list (by state). If you are on Facebook, give them a good recommendation. We ALL like honest shops.

Thanks for the feedback.

Klaus
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new








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Immobilizer - fixed

Will do.

Hope that I will soon mend and gimpy will be back to normal. :)








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Immobilizer

I can tell you for a fact it is not the antenna ring. I bought one today, installed it and still the same thing....no start.

There are some clicking of relays but nothing tries to engage the starter solenoid.

I can see the one electrical lug on the solenoid and a few days ago I sprayed it with PB blaster hoping that perhaps that was the corroded connection. There has to be another connector but I can't see it from the front of the engine.

A few years ago my son's Saturn L200 started the same problem. He is a college student, short on funds. I took a remote push button hand starter switch, attached it to the solenoid and routed it to a safe place under the hood. Now to start his car he has to put the key in position III, open the hood, push the button and the car starts.

From searching the Internet my situation is not unusual. As Mr Gimpy I can only do so much and this may be a time that the car has to be towed for someone else to do the work. Could even be a key and that would call for a VIDA key update.








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Immobilizer S60

Thanks

I'll give it a try later today.

Darn car not starting. I removed the neg cable for 30 minutes and after that the car didn't seem to surge / accelerate as fast.

I think that the TCM was learning my driving habit.







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