The rubber on the key for my 2001 V40 fell to bits over the last few weeks, and the whole key needs replacing.

I 'phoned the local Volvo dealer up and was quoted $69 for a new key (not cheap, but these things have electronics in them, so it's not like a front door key), plus $170 to program the new key.

$170

Is it just me, or is this an outrageous cost for a service which, one could argue, should be free? Is the key programming a particularly arduous and labour intensive process to justify that cost, or is it just a matter of sticking the key in a computer interface and downloading a code into it??

I'd be interested to hear if other people feel this is a reasonable charge or not ... and if there are any alternatives to the Dealer that might be cheaper?

Thanks,
Julian

 

Yeah. It does cost to much for a new key.

Tech might be able to tell you how it's done.....

 

We have quads that require a key to be programmed for the ignition. All Can-Am quads come with a blank key, physically uncut. You put the key in the ignition of the vehicle, hook it up to the ECU the programming takes 15 seconds to download to the chip in the key which links it into the VIN number of the vehicle...

I think that makes sense.

 

They rip you off with the programming of the key. $30.00 for the software and 1 hour to program it. But $170 looks like it might be 1.5 to 2.0 hours.