Could I break my transponder chip?

Archer89 · Post by **Archer89** » 05 Dec 2019, 20:24

I bought a salvaged title 2004 Volvo XC70. It has been running good for over a year and a half... I dropped my key today, and it came apart. I put it all back together, and left my work with no problems. I try to leave home to get pizza for the family, and my key completely falls apart while in the ignition as I am turning the key. Plus, a message “start Prevented” appears. Did I mess up the key, or the chip that communicates to my ignition?

Post by **oragex** » 06 Dec 2019, 03:47

What kind of key do you have ? If it's the model with flip blade, the transponder is glued inside one of the plastic sections. In theory it's unlikely to break if the key is dropped - unless it's like thrown into a brick wall. However the way your key broke apart makes me think it's not an original one or it was already opened and not very solid. In this scenario, a previous owner may have already removed the transponder and put it back less tight so then yes, you may have a problem with it. Try to look for it on the floor, it's a green-ish looking tiny glass tube - about 1mm thick 5mm long, very fragile viewtopic.php?t=31639

Post by **vtl** » 06 Dec 2019, 08:03

ID48 Megamos Crypto chips do die from time to time.

Archer89 · Post by **Archer89** » 06 Dec 2019, 08:41

It says Volvo on my flip key, but the chip is half in what looks to be green glass. While the other half is showing a type of metal?...? Also, the chip looks to have been glued once, but it is not anymore.

Post by **oragex** » 06 Dec 2019, 12:33

Usually it's has a full glass jacket, when this breaks you see the metal part inside. It doesn't mean the metal part is broken, but it must be protected from water, etc. Try to keep the chip close to the barrel where the key enters, the antenna is a round metal wire located just inside the column, around the barrel. Perhaps also worth trying to reset the alarm system by locking/unlocking driver's door with the fob three times. If you want to place the chip back, never use glue on it - it will damage it. Just a simple tape. You may also tape it inside the steering column near the antenna (flip the upper cover plastic behind the st wheel). Try to find a position/place, where the car recognizes it. This way, you can now cut as many keys you need and use them to drive without any chip inside.

Post by **cn90** » 09 Dec 2019, 08:59

As much as I hate going to dealer, this is the time to go to dealer and get a key w/o remote, which is about $250.

If your current key is kaput, then you are looking at a tow to dealer.

Search forum for more info...