Remote starter for my b'day!

sony2000 · Post by **sony2000** » 13 Nov 2007, 16:51

Treated myself to a Polar Remote Starter today. Everyone in this city is suffering from the flu virus already. Now to the dealer to have another valet key made. Is it true they may want all the keys, even the master one thats hidden, to make a copy?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 13 Nov 2007, 17:49

No....all they need is your car's VIN#, but it's probably a good idea to take a key with you to be sure. The only time they need all of your key [fobs] is when they're reprogramming them.

sony2000 · Post by **sony2000** » 18 Nov 2007, 16:26

One week later and the car fails to start by the remote nor the key. The car does everthing right, but the starter doesn't turn. The lights dim and the juice sounds as if it is available for the starter. Triple checked everything. Battery has a full charge. I'm sure its the kill switch. I'm starting to regret this impulsive purchase. Will call the installers tomorrow.......

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 18 Nov 2007, 20:05

If you're using a remote starter, the car won't start unless there's a key somewhere close to the ignition (antenna ring). This is a safety mechanism that Volvo has built into your ignition so that someone doesn't hot wire your car. Try putting a spare key in your car and see if it works. If it does, then you'll need to find a place to hide one for the future.

Now, you'll need to get it to start with your key first. Without that, the idea of using a remote starter is moot.

sony2000 · Post by **sony2000** » 19 Nov 2007, 16:37

When I bought the car from a broker, it was coming off lease with only two keys. The autostart people required one to be hiddden under the dash and in a bypass unit, forwhich I gave them the master key. I didn't want to walk around with two key fobs in my pocket. Later I found out, another valet key is $150 (software included). The tech guy drove over in his Mercedes Sprinter. Wouldn't start, and then he repeated my checks. It starts. He repeats a few times. He leaves and I try to leave. No start. Two techs come back and the older realized like myself, the starter is not getting juice. He touched a smalll wire on the Bendix and away she turned. At the shop they fixed the contact. (free$) It may have come loose during the installation, I don't know, and didn't want to know, at the time.