'96 Ignition key problem

karltheozy · Post by **karltheozy** » 08 Mar 2011, 18:36

In Australia we get a key with a '96 850 that looks normal but has the letters "Ymos" and nothing else engraved on it .

My New ( but now old ) 850 Wagon ('96) has a Bug !! - -

I start it easily 90% of the time - - Bu the other 10% bothers me - - , changed most Electrical Parts - -Plugs / wires / Dizzy cap / rotor button - - but no difference- - - The car will Start ! but will not run - - only the starter motor and a brief Brrrm .

The I came to an Article on Bay 13 ( I think ) that suggested that if the Key ( Yes the key !!! ) was dodgy -- or the Antennae/Aerial loop inside the Steering column wasn't good ( Again !!! ) then the security code in the key handle would not transmit to the Computer in the car .

Completely "Noplussed" I sit back and think - - - I don't need so much security on a 15 year old car that It will stop the car from starting .

- - does anyone know a way to disable this feature without destroying the cars computer .

I also need a second key because the previous owner cared so little he threw the other one away - -and the Volvo dealers here are so poor they need to Charge US $200 for a new second key ! - - -, This ones driving me mad any answers ?

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 08 Mar 2011, 22:03

I'm not sure about the Volvo's down under,
but chipped keys didn't arrive in the states
until the '99 70 series. I don't think you have it...
I suspect there's something else amiss . Codes?

karltheozy · Post by **karltheozy** » 08 Mar 2011, 22:11

No - - Had this one Verified by a local Locksmith when I took the key to him for a duplication - - I needed a second key - - .
Locksmith pushed the key into an electrical box - - Key Gizmo - - he said it had a chip in it and that all he could cut for me was a
door lock key that would not start the car !!

I thanked the guy and checked with the Dealer about the Key cut / coding price .

Post by **jblackburn** » 08 Mar 2011, 22:25

Take us a picture of your existing key - NO 850's that I know of had a chip in the key.

Someone here should be able to identify immediately whether or not your key has a chip. 850 keys were very skinny; 98 keys were a little fatter; 99 keys (with chip) were even fatter than mine.

Your key would be even fatter around than this one if it contained a chip.

karltheozy · Post by **karltheozy** » 08 Mar 2011, 22:50

I have to maintain two '96 850's both standard models - - both with the same type key - -

In this picture My wifes much older 940 key is the pointed plain handled key - - - - .

The much bigger thick handle ( nearly twice as thick ) is the 850 key .

: 940 key is much smaller and nearly half thickness - - -; IMG00206.jpg (21.21 KiB) Viewed 2437 times

I hope the Image shows up - - !

I also have had 2 x older 850's - - 93 and 94 - - they have smaller thinner key handles that do not have chips and look like the examples you have put on line .

Cheers Karl

Post by **precopster** » 09 Mar 2011, 04:24

There are afew dealers of used parts in Oz other than Volvo factory outlets. What's your location??

diyer97 · Post by **diyer97** » 09 Mar 2011, 06:59

my 97 960 SW got big, fat keys but no transponder,the chip, or it's embedded that I couldn't see it. My neighbor's Lexus ES broken key still starts her car with one hand using a needle nose plier and turns while other hand holding the broken handle with the transponder to the key insert channel.

Post by **jblackburn** » 09 Mar 2011, 14:30

Hmm. That looks like it might actually have a chip in it. If so, your next step would be to call a dealer and ask if there is a part number for an "ignition antenna ring" on your car. This is usually the problem the newer vehicles have communicating with the key.

karltheozy · Post by **karltheozy** » 09 Mar 2011, 17:11

Thanks for Input so far - - -but I am trying to avoid being hung out by the dealers ( In Australia - -particularly Sydney - - they take you down badly price wise !!) and unfortunately the Local Parts recyclers and Importers would still have to get the key reprogrammed by a dealer - - - after all this does anyone know if the Key Chip lockout system can be disabled ??

I haven't yet figured out how to access the computer ( other than where to plug in my shiny new OBD2 reader - - ) but I have access to an old ( Non Security chip) 850 which I can play around with . To quote the teacher in Ferris Bueller - - Anybody - - Anybody ??

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 09 Mar 2011, 18:21

karltheozy wrote: I checked with the Dealer about the Key cut / coding price .

Did the dealer confirm that Australia gets coded keys?
I'm still having a hard time believing that...
FWIW, my '98 V70 key also has the Ymos imprint
and I don't have a coded ignition. Just seems odd...