93 850 GLT Attempted forced entry, question about starting

[JimBee]

Today I discovered what look like hammer dents up and down my B pillar, but on closer inspection it's clear somebody had a device inside the door seal, probably trying to get to the lock post. The inside of the door jamb has deep scratches.

Anyway, two questions: if they had secured a tool around the lock post could it have been pulled up without the key turning in the lock cylinder?

And if they had gained entry, I suppose if they had the tool to get that far, they would have had a slide puller to remove the key cylinder. But by that time, the alarm would have been going off — I know that works. And if that didn't stop them, would turning the key switch with a screw driver enable the car to start?

[GrumpyOldMan]

Pft.
Not even an amateur attempt.

I'm basing the below comments on my base model '96.

When locked the snipper button sits flush with the door trim.
So trying to snag and lift that won't work.
The doors have various internal measures to prevent 'slim jim' attacks.

If they did gain entry,
A brute force screw driver twist on the ignition barrel would break the shear pins rendering the whole ignition barrel assembly a useless free spinning lump of metal.
If they use a slide hammer to remove the ignition barrel, and try turning the ignition wafer with a screwdriver, again useless due to the factory immobiliser that requires a signal from the rfid chip in the key head.

There are much easier ways to steal a car.

I suspect your creeps just wanted an opportunistic entry to rummage for loose items like whatever's in the glove box.

[erikv11]

... I'm basing the below comments on my base model '96.
...
If they use a slide hammer to remove the ignition barrel, and try turning the ignition wafer with a screwdriver, again useless due to the factory immobiliser that requires a signal from the rfid chip in the key head.
...

Fact check, just so people don't get confused by this post: Negative, your '96 car (like OP's '93) does not have an rfid chip key. Those first showed up in P80 cars in the US spec '99 models, so in '98 or '99 in Awestruckalia.

[E Showell]

Who the blank is trying to steal 27 y/o cars?

[erikv11]

No evidence anyone was trying to steal it. Much more likely this is standard urban breaking-and-entering, looking for goodies.

[JimBee]

Honestly, I have a suspect, based on years of local harassment and who might well have enjoyed himself trying to pry his way in.
I know from multiple comments over the years he does envy that car (and other things about my property)—it's emerald green with sport wheels and at least on the drivers side *did* look nice and clean. Washed up the passenger side isn't bad either. Plus it has a 5 speed manual trans and GLT trim, slightly messed up by PO. It's spunky, drives well and is a fun ride.

I haven't had any issues with the alarm system so haven't really learned anything about it. But now I'm supposing that the key operated door lock that is connected to the alarm system probably also interlocks with the ignition—if so, that answers my question.

The car has been attacked twice before (with pretty strong evidence of who dunnit), resulting in two broken windshields and dings along the top of the hood where the landscaping block rolled down off the front.

I've had a security camera that has been protecting only its shipping carton for awhile. Time to get it installed.

[abscate]

I've had a security camera that has been protecting only its shipping carton for awhile. Time to get it installed.

Classic.

Sorry for your travails, and I hope this crap stops.

When you think you know the party involved do you

... nothing

..... innocently tell party that you had a break in on another car and have since put cameras in all your rides?

??

[JimBee]

abscate: thanks for your condolences!

Hmmm, cameras in my rides? Can you suggest options?

Maybe that needs to be a new topic.

[GrumpyOldMan]

... I'm basing the below comments on my base model '96.
...
If they use a slide hammer to remove the ignition barrel, and try turning the ignition wafer with a screwdriver, again useless due to the factory immobiliser that requires a signal from the rfid chip in the key head.
...

Fact check, just so people don't get confused by this post: Negative, your '96 car (like OP's '93) does not have an rfid chip key. Those first showed up in P80 cars in the US spec '99 models, so in '98 or '99 in Awestruckalia.

So when I replaced my ignition wafer, what is the ring around the barrel just behind the cowling on the key side ?
Its been a while so my memory is foggy but there's something about it causing starting issues if the wiring/connector gets corroded.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/9162589-Volvo- ... 2800216320

Item #2
https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/vo ... dhcw%3D%3D

[abscate]

Antenna ring is common name. The rarely go bad, so its a perfect junkyard part for next to nothing vs $40-50 new?