Help! My car locks me out!

**Lucidfocus** · 05-18-2009, 10:09 PM

We just bought a 2008 Volvo XC70 with 32,000 mostly open-highway miles - well kept; it looks new. While everything worked well on the car during a few days of pre-purchase test driving, the other morning, the key fob would not open the door locks - even after repeated attempts and trying the other fob.

I finally pulled out the mechanical key and opened the door, which set off the alarm. The same thing happened this morning. After I go through the routine of inserting the fob, turning off the alarm, etc., the key-less entry feature works okay the rest of the day. It just seems to be a problem in the morning - after the car has set overnight.

Thank you for any help you can offer.

**s3bcn** · 05-18-2009, 10:26 PM

Sorry, not my problem that I have. Greetings

**Lotus99** · 05-18-2009, 11:03 PM

Don't know for sure, but check your manual to see if the batteries in the fob are charged by plugging in the fob and leaving it in the car while driving. Maybe it's the batteries in the fob and they need to charge more? Otherwise, you should be able to have it checked out under warranty it seems. Haven't heard of this as a software bug otherwise.

**HKsMike** · 07-06-2009, 05:49 AM

I have an issue with my door locks, too. My issue is that the driver's side door randomly locks when I get out of the car. I doesn't matter if I have the key fob with me when I exit or not. Its not a big deal if I have the key with me, but if I get out of the car with it running (to reclose the back door or something) it can turn into a huge hassle. Any one have this issue?

**OKCXC70** · 07-06-2009, 06:30 AM

Well, before I went to the dealer, I would try a new battery in the remote.

Page 54 of the manual says: The batteries should be replaced if:
--the information symbol illuminates and Replace Car Key Battery is shown in the display and/or
--if the locks do not react after several attempts to unlock or lock the vehicle

Page 57 of the manual says: NOTE After unlocking the driver's door with the key blade, opening the door will trigger the alarm. To disable the alarm, insert the remote key in the ignition slot

The remote uses a CR2430 3 volt button battery. These batteries do not charge while in the ignition. Page 60 of the manual shows very nicely how to change the battery.

If that doesn't work, there is a bulletin:
Cold Weather : Doors Cannot be Locked with Remote, Driver Information Module (DIM) Messge, or Interior Light Stays On - All Doors Closed
Item: TNN83-43-2008-03-06 Page Count: 4

I didn't pay the $6 on volvo tech info to get a look at the whole thing, maybe one of you guys with the problem might want to download it and share with the other kids.

**Mighty Quinn** · 07-31-2009, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Don't know for sure, but check your manual to see if the batteries in the fob are charged by plugging in the fob and leaving it in the car while driving. Maybe it's the batteries in the fob and they need to charge more? Otherwise, you should be able to have it checked out under warranty it seems. Haven't heard of this as a software bug otherwise.

The battery in the fob is a non-rechargeable, lithium-MnO2 coin cell, so it should not be charged when plugged into the car.

Does this occur with both fobs, or just one of the two?

**kingfisher68** · 12-13-2014, 05:58 AM

this is a related question: I have a 2012 xc70 and after only 2 years the 'change batteries' warning sign came on. I did so.
after only a month or so, the same sign came on. Moreover, the key was not recognized by the car unless it was actually plugged into the slot. I have had Volvo (online) tell me that maybe there's an electrical bug in the car that's draining these 2 batteries. OTOH, a call to the dealer's service mgr. advises that the batteries I bought were defective and try two more.
Anyone with a similar problem? If so, what was your solution? thanks!!

**netpres1** · 12-14-2014, 02:27 PM

Not sure if this helps but may be related.

My main fob that I have used for 5 years is now intermittent.
Ie. sometimes it works, sometimes I have to press a number of times before anything happens.

I have used this everyday, say 4 to 10 times per day.
I have changed the CR2430 battery but is still the same.

I am now using the second fob without any problems.
This one has been sitting in a drawer for about 5 years and has been used by my wife about half a dozen times over that time.

Perhaps the fob units have a mechanical wear issue internally?

**XCovlov70** · 12-16-2014, 12:05 AM

I think you will find that it is the 'Contacts' inside the key fob as the older one is as you say 'intermittent' while the one that has hardly been used is OK.

This means a new fob is required unless you can find an Electronics Workshop that can replace the 'Contacts'.

I would also suggest sitting down before you ask the cost of a new fob from a dealer as they ain't cheap and can cause shock/horror when the prices is made known!