[Duc]

Is anybody out there having problems with their car alarm. I just got my 2.4T on Monday and have had to use the keys to set and turn off the car alarm.

Problem 1. I cannot open unlock the car with the transmitter 50% of the time. On each failed attempt the alarm would go off. I then would have to unlock the car with my keys and turn on and off the engine. If I just open the door with the keys without turning on and off the engine the alarm would go off.

Problem 2. 90% of the time I cannot lock the car with the transmitter. On each failed attempt, the alarm would go off. Once the alarm goes off, I have to use the keys to lock and unlock the doors and to turn the engine on and off and then use the keys to lock the doors. If I just lock and unlock the doors without turning on and off the engine the alarm would go off again.

Problem 3. One of the alarm transmitter does not work at all.

My dealer told me other customers have not had this problem and Volvo has not sent out a bulletin on it.

Please help if you can.

 

[PK]

Have you (or the dealer) reported the problem to Volvo (VCNA)?

We need to help each other out by making sure all this stuff goes on record so they can't claim ignorance.

 

[PK]

I forgot to mention: I read on Brickboard.com and volvospy.com where someone was having similar problems with the alarm on the remote. Although that person said the alarm went off in the middle of the night because the remote unit was screwed too tight and the panic button got "stuck".

I think that person said that Volvo knew there was a problem with the remote.

 

[Duc]

To PK,

Thanks for responding. I read the same message on Edmunds.com (Town Hall forum) regarding the sticking remote. I also sent him a response and request for info at that site.

To Volvo:
To any Volvo representative who might be reading this, will Volvo install or reimburse me for an aftermarket alarm for one that is obviously defective. My dealership, who is rated as a "Dealer of Excellence" by Volvo and Volvo will receive failing grade marks if they don't my problem soon.

 

[Rob 101]

Are you having this problem with both of your remotes?
If not, try replacing the battery (3volt CR2032)in the problematic remote & see if your problem clears up. :headshot

 

[Duc]

To Rob101,

As stated in my posting, one of the remote does not even work at all. The other remote only work some of the time and definitely not in all situations. I informed/suggested to the the service manager that the first thing they should do is to replace the battery on both remotes. If the "panic" or any other button was stuck, it may have been stuck since the orginal batteries were put in and are now probably out of energy. He stated they would look into this but he thinks it may be a deeper problem than just the batteries because the car it not registering a break in fault code when you use the keys to turn on the ignition to turn off the alarm.

 

[phenix796]

I have posted alarm fix on brickboard and volvospy...have not had a single incident of accidental alarm activation or doors not locking since...3 weeks now..Volvo dealer is nowhere to be found...if you have not done so...don't let them guys f up your car..try the .79 fix first...

 

[Duc]

To Phenix796 aka Gene,

I wanted to wait a week after my Volvo Dealership, Nils Sefeldt Volvo, fixed the car alarm/car remote problem. After one week of using the car on a everyday basis, I think/hope I can say that the problem has been fixed.

I should let you know that it actually took them two try to solve the problem. The first time they just replace and loosen the screws on the remote. When I came to pick up the car, the same problems occured as in my original posting. The service advisor manager apoligized and stated the car alarm/car remotes were working fine for his technicians all day long.

I informed the service advisor that I wanted him to personally test the car alarm and car remotes before calling me back to pick up the car. Volvo took back the car and called me two days later informing that they finally have resolved the problem. They informed me that they had to reprogram the remotes and that everything was working properly. He stated he even tested it out himself as requested.

To make a long story short, have your dealership reprogram the remotes. They can even call my dealership at (281) 721-1600 if they need some assistance.

PS1. Brian Gulch was my Service Advisor.

PS2. Nils Sefeldt Volvo did the right thing and gave me a loaner car for the whole time my car was in the shop. Now I have to decide what type of grade I am going to give the dealership when the Vovlo survey comes in. When you pay sticker price for a premium auto because the wife could not wait another couple of months for the new car frenzy and new car prices to go down you should not have any problems with the car. However, as in life, nothing is perfect and mistakes do get made. Since there has not been outpouring of response to the car alarm problem posting at this and other car forum sites I think we are in the minority and have to give Volvo credit for that.

I wish you the best of luck on your situation and hope that you get some enjoyment out of your new Volvo S60.