My daughter has a 2005 S40 T5. The heater core was leaking and she took it
to a mechanic in the town where she lives. (No Volvo Dealer there). He replaced the heater core and when he tried to crank it afterwards, he gets a warning message of "Key not recognized". He said he re-checked all of his wiring connections and it still does not work. Any suggestions !!!! The closest Volvo Dealer is 100 miles from her. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED !!

 

Does the key fob lock/unlock the doors?

Also, the center information panel will show how many keys are programmed to the car. This is the display above the radio. Use the menu and select buttons to navigate. It will not tell you if the key in your hand works though. Only how many the car has programmed to it.

 

This is concerning because my heater core leaks as well. If I get mine fixed I am probably at risk for this too.

 

Something else is going on. The OP has not returned to help us figure this out. There is no inherent reason replacing the heater core should cause this problem. Something was left disconnected or knocked loose or something.

 

Yes the key will lock/unlock the doors and even set off the panic. But when he tries to crank it, he gets the key not recognized error and it won't crank.

 

Check the ignition switch to make sure the wiring harness is still connected?

 

He said that they re-checked all of the connections. I have not checked them. they are 200 miles from me !! I had the battery disconnected once for about a week while i waited for a replacement Alternator. When I got it back together, it started right up with no problems, so I don't know what it could be unless, as you suggested, he missed a connection. Would it be worth trying to disconnect the battery, insert the key and turn it to the "II" position and then reconnect the battery to see if it would recognize it? Just curious....

 

I'd try pretty much anything if my car did this to me. Including taking it back apart to absolutely make sure I did not miss anything.

It's kinda hard to help not knowing what they did to replace the heater core. I can tell you after replacing my ignition switch in my 2005 that the car needs no special programming.

You have a spare key? A new key does require programming the vehicle with a DiCE tool and that costs money both for the tool and the subscription to VIDA software plus the cost of the key.

 

They called and said they ended up having it towed to Birmingham Alabama from Tuscaloosa Alabama. The Volvo Shop said it was going to cost $700 to repair. I don't know what is wrong with it yet, but when my daughter calls me I will post it on here.

 

Just an Update !!! They determined that the ignition module was bad and had to be replaced. My daughter decided to replace the Volvo instead and traded it for a new Infiniti !!!

 

Lol, nice to have options. Thank you for letting us know. If it happened once it can happen again.