re-Keying and repurposing Volvo lock cylinders

[dyn blin]

In the interest of full disclosure, I have been often described as the family Luddite...

I have previously been through this on my '97 850. I found a nice set of S70 handles to replace my faded and banged up OE at the local Pick and Pull. Both my fobs failed, and when I found teh going rate was $100 or more for a replacement fob, I found a locksmith to re-key the handle for $65 plus $5 each for the driver's door and hatchback. I never use the glove-box or rear floor hatch lock.

I have missed the convenience of the fob with hands full of groceries, but the cost to me seems silly.

[SonicAdventure]

In the interest of full disclosure, I have been often described as the family Luddite...

I have previously been through this on my '97 850. I found a nice set of S70 handles to replace my faded and banged up OE at the local Pick and Pull. Both my fobs failed, and when I found teh going rate was $100 or more for a replacement fob, I found a locksmith to re-key the handle for $65 plus $5 each for the driver's door and hatchback. I never use the glove-box or rear floor hatch lock.

I have missed the convenience of the fob with hands full of groceries, but the cost to me seems silly.

So the locksmith re-keyed the cylinder to match your current key for $65? Or made a key to fit the cylinder from the junkyard and you ended up with two different keys?

[dyn blin]

Yeah, that was confusing, huh?

Short version: The locksmith re-keyed the cylinder of the "new" handle to work with the existing ignition key. I simply gave him the handle from the yard, my spare ignition key, and the VIN.

Long story- The "new" handles came with their keys and what looked to be an aftermarket fob. The fob couldn't be programmed to my '97. As I asked around to the local dealers, I was told the keys for the '98+ were of a different design and incompatible with the older year ignitions (I've never verified that as fact, but they could have been conflating the issue with the later "chipped" keys and ignition) so I thought I would match the "new" key to the hatch door and carry two keys, one for the "old style" ignition, and one for doors. However, when I got to the locksmith, he pointed out the much easier solution of keying the door handle to match the existing/original set. Yes, I felt dumb. 'still do.

[BEJinFbk]

Yeah, that was confusing, huh?

Short version: The locksmith re-keyed the cylinder of the "new" handle to work with the existing ignition key. I simply gave him the handle from the yard, my spare ignition key, and the VIN.

Long story- The "new" handles came with their keys and what looked to be an aftermarket fob. The fob couldn't be programmed to my '97. As I asked around to the local dealers, I was told the keys for the '98+ were of a different design and incompatible with the older year ignitions (I've never verified that as fact, but they could have been conflating the issue with the later "chipped" keys and ignition) so I thought I would match the "new" key to the hatch door and carry two keys, one for the "old style" ignition, and one for doors. However, when I got to the locksmith, he pointed out the much easier solution of keying the door handle to match the existing/original set. Yes, I felt dumb. 'still do.

But you also started with an 850. Your '97 was the last year of factory lock cylinders for both doors.
None of the P80 70 series cars unlock from the passenger side with a key. So another thought is,
will a passenger latch from an 850 play nice in a 70 series door... ? Just might work! But don't
forget the electrics - That may get interesting.

[SonicAdventure]

Yeah, that was confusing, huh?

Short version: The locksmith re-keyed the cylinder of the "new" handle to work with the existing ignition key. I simply gave him the handle from the yard, my spare ignition key, and the VIN.

Long story- The "new" handles came with their keys and what looked to be an aftermarket fob. The fob couldn't be programmed to my '97. As I asked around to the local dealers, I was told the keys for the '98+ were of a different design and incompatible with the older year ignitions (I've never verified that as fact, but they could have been conflating the issue with the later "chipped" keys and ignition) so I thought I would match the "new" key to the hatch door and carry two keys, one for the "old style" ignition, and one for doors. However, when I got to the locksmith, he pointed out the much easier solution of keying the door handle to match the existing/original set. Yes, I felt dumb. 'still do.

But you also started with an 850. Your '97 was the last year of factory lock cylinders for both doors.
None of the P80 70 series cars unlock from the passenger side with a key. So another thought is,
will a passenger latch from an 850 play nice in a 70 series door... ? Just might work! But don't
forget the electrics - That may get interesting.

Yep, this is getting complicated...

I'm checking my old passenger lock assembly tonight. If there is no female receptacle to coordinate with the lock pin, I'm giving up - unless someone can confirm an 850 passenger side lock assembly will work without a hitch. Too many issues with these locks already - not trying to complicate it further. Thanks everyone for your help this far

[kranz]

I recently replaced both driver & front passenger lock actuators on my 98 V70. The passenger side does have the female receptacle for a locking pin, however, it lacks the internals to actually do anything.

[SonicAdventure]

I recently replaced both driver & front passenger lock actuators on my 98 V70. The passenger side does have the female receptacle for a locking pin, however, it lacks the internals to actually do anything.

You're referring to the black actuator on the passenger side having the receptacle but nothing internally to connect it to the lever that moves the shaft? Hmmm. I wonder if I could find a RHD 70 series lock actuator online? Or get confirmation that an 850 one would work. Maybe I could modify my existing one with something that would trip the lever.

[AKJeeper]

I was just thinking that maybe parts from a RHD 70 series car might actually work. Has anyone tried ordering parts from say, a UK supplier?

[scot850]

+1 on the RHD option. Perhaps a lock assembly and actuator from UK/Australia/Japan would work. There would still be the issue of whether the wiring would work. But perhaps redundancy is built in for RH/LHD markets to reduce on wiring harnesses. But as the actuator is already working for the RH door on a LHD car is that an issue?

Neil.

[SonicAdventure]

+1 on the RHD option. Perhaps a lock assembly and actuator from UK/Australia/Japan would work. There would still be the issue of whether the wiring would work. But perhaps redundancy is built in for RH/LHD markets to reduce on wiring harnesses. But as the actuator is already working for the RH door on a LHD car is that an issue?

Neil.

Ok so I just got a chance to look in my parts bin and here is what I found. As stated above, the LHD 70 series passenger door lock assembly indeed has a female end, but several pieces of linkage are not present. First is the small little white plastic piece that the cylinder rod would turn, second is a small white arm that connects to the receiver that would actuate the lock mechanism.

I suppose it's possible these components are reversible LH to RH if i wanted to take the time to completely disassemble both of the lock assemblies, but I don't have the time to do that now. Maybe I will have time later this year to get into that. In the meantime I will check into RHD lock assemblies and possible 850 lock assemblies.

Thanks everyone for your feedback!