Hey guys -

My 2000 Volvo S70 GLT SE has been in the shop (Firestone - will never go back) on 5 separate occasions during the past 6 days. Looks like they screwed up an alternator installation and forgot to "charge" it. So it killed my battery and I had to go right back in. Took it to a small 2-person Volvo mechanic (Love these guys, they know their stuff) and they identified something interesting about the car... or really, the keys.

Apparently I didn't try both keys when I purchased the car. One is dead, and one is on its way outdue to the constant wear of being the only key that works. My idea of a solution: A remote starting system. More specifically, the Viper 5101.



I want two working keys (electronically the keys are shot. Anti-theft prevents the car from starting, but I can still get into the vehicle.)

It seems to me that this would be a great solution. For $250 plus installation, I can get 2 keys, my key fob functionality back (the car only came with 1, and it broke a few days later), and a way to start the car. The quote I got from a local dealership was around $200 for an extra key and $150 per fob.... There's no way I'm paying that.

Is this a good way to go? I want both keys and key fobs, and now I only have 1 working key and no fobs. Seems to me like this would solve the problem. Is there anything I need to watch out for when doing this?

Thanks

 

you will still have to get the keys from a dealership

 

Yeah, remote start systems still need a good immobilizer chip in the key. Most of them actually require you to cut the head off of a key with a valid chip, and leave it in its anti- theft system bypass module, in order to validate the immobilizer, and then some of them need the key you use to also be valid with the immobilizer for when you take over, insert your key, and turn it on, so you can drive away. So it's not a solution to your problem at all.

Take both keys to the dealer, and see if maybe the keys just need reprogrammed. Either way, you're still going to need new key(s.)

 

There's a report about hacking which has something to do remote start system. Many of us are not yet aware about this matter. Most people think remote start and remote keyless entry systems are secure. Think again, because they are easier to get around than most would realize. It's been proven several times, by both car robbers and researchers searching for security gaps that it's simpler than one may think to get around remote start devices.