Limited Range of Keyless Entry 1995 850 Turbo

Post by **Nevada1906** » 08 Apr 2012, 15:27

My key fob doesn't unlock my doors (1995 850 Turbo) until I'm literally almost close enough to physically unlock the door with the key. What gives?

It has a fresh battery. It's just always done this.

Post by **jblackburn** » 08 Apr 2012, 15:55

Same with mine. It's just Volvos system.

Touch the remote to the bottom of your chin. This will extend range a few feet.

Thomastalan · Post by **Thomastalan** » 08 Apr 2012, 22:27

It sounds stupid but it's the truth under the chain extenze the range a little bit, new battery works good too, in the clickerI mean

Post by **fazool** » 09 Apr 2012, 06:29

Wife's friend was a nice girl but really ditzy. She tried to convince me that holding the keyfob to your chin extends the range. I just couldn't believe this for anything. Well, she was right (and I learned a lesson about being skeptical just because it didn't make sense on the surface). I guess your skull acts like an antenna. It really works.

Post by **rspi** » 09 Apr 2012, 12:04

Sometimes it matters where you hold your arm. I raise my arm sometimes and it works a little longer. The chin works best. I have gotten almost 100 feet sometimes.

Post by **Nevada1906** » 09 Apr 2012, 17:02

Yeah, but WHY is the range so limited in the first place?

sliptones629 · Post by **sliptones629** » 09 Apr 2012, 20:14

I think I recall reading in the manual that the range is only 10-15 feet. At least thats what it says in my 98 v70 manual right next to me.

Post by **jblackburn** » 09 Apr 2012, 20:44

It seems like European companies don't get the good frequencies. Our Jeep will unlock from across the house, but the Acura and Volvo barely worked from inside the garage with the car sitting in the driveway.

Post by **Nevada1906** » 09 Apr 2012, 21:26

Okay, thanks.

I'm glad it's supposed to be this way. You know what I mean.

V850B5254T · Post by **V850B5254T** » 10 Apr 2012, 05:19

The operative word is: clean your key fob (=remote).

Range:
You are probably right about the limited range of European key fob's.
I’ve got a qualified guess as to why:
If some bad guy has got access to (have stolen) your car keys, he won’t be able to identify your car from distance by activating the remote (think: car parks).

The technicalities:
The following covers most remote controls, including TV remotes and similar.

(Electronics are developing from day to day thus you might find some new remotes with the battery permanently connected to the electronics.)

In order to extend the lifetime of the battery, the electronic circuit inside the remote has no connection to the battery when not used (= no buttons activated).

When activating a button on the remote a piece of conducting silicone makes contact with two conductors on the PCB (printed circuit board) inside the remote, and in the process shorting them.
This will provide power to the electronics and at the same time inform the electronics about which button you have activated (= send ‘this’ message to the receiver in the car, TV, etc.).

Remotes are often in your hand or in your pocket and will receive a lot of sweat and moisture during time. These ‘juices’ will enter the electronics and act as isolation between the conductive silicone and the conductors on the PCB.
The result is that not enough current will flow to power the transmitter that should unlock your car door or change channel on your TV.

Solution:

Many remotes can be taken apart and with an original Volvo 850 remote it is easy.
Remove the battery.
The key fob is made out of two shells that can be pried apart.
Almost any flat metal piece that will fit into the recess between the two shells can be used.

Inside you will find a PCB with electronics and a silicone sleeve with the buttons and the conducting layers.

Wash all parts in mild dish washing soap (for the sink, NOT for the dishwasher) using a soft brush to remove the unwanted dirt.
Note that the soap is important when cleaning electronics.
Soap is often polluted with unwanted additions like perfumes.
These additions can include several acids (phosphoric acid, citric acid, etc) that are unacceptable to electronics.

Remove all soap with lavish use of water (preferable distilled or de-mineralized if you live where chlorine is used to disinfect drinking water).

Use a paper towel or compressed air to remove surplus water and let all parts dry until you are sure that no humidity is left on any surface.

Assemble and try it out, - you will be surprised.

/oakey