Volvo D3 won’t start no ignition does key fob have a battery

[Captain Pat]

Is there a Battery in the Volvo key fob? I have a 2015 R 31 with 2 key fobs. Can’t get ignition or start. Tried tying batteries together and no luck. Can’t get a mechanic to return a call. Is there a battery in the small key fob. Maybe it is a simple as 2 failed batteries. Any ideas?
Pat

 

[Severum88]

Do either of the fobs turn on the Volvo electronics? I think you hear a beep and a green light at switch when fob is waved in front. If not, I’d suspect fob battery.

 

[Mark512]

Volvo uses two different types of electronic keys. One is about the size of a standard car key fob and has two buttons that can be depressed to unlock and control the ignition switch on the dash from dockside. The other type is a smaller fob that has no buttons and only locks and unlocks the ignition when it is waived in front of the dash ignition switch from about 1-2 inches away. This is a simple RFID fob and does not have a battery as it is energized by the dash ignition unit which is similar to an access control door fob or badge.

I think that most of the newer units used the RFID fob and a waive across the ignition module will unlock the unit and this is confirmed by the green light on the top "Ignition" button. If the led turns green, the issue is probably not the battery powered fob or the RFID fob and would likely be a problem with the remainder of the start circuit.

 

[Headlee]

If you can get a green light at the ignition using the fob, then try starting from the helm in the cockpit (assuming you have an aft helm). This happened to me one time. I couldn't start from the forward helm, but the aft worked. Turned out to be a fuse issue.

 

[Gin]

This is a long shot, but maybe worth a try. About two years ago, in the middle of the Portland Christmas Ships parade season, my fob wouldn’t unlock or start the Volvo. Red security light just kept blinking. No luck with spare, backup fob. Called a fellow very knowledgeable boater who was near me on the dock. He rushed to my aid. But quickly disclaimed: “I don’t know nothin’ about those new dangled engines.” Then he said, “the brains of this is basically a computer, right? And when a computer acts up, you reboot it, right?” So we tried that. I think all we did was cut the engine switch. Then turned it back on. Magic! It worked. I was off the dock and in the parade five minutes later. I’ve never had the problem since. FWIW and YMMV.

Gini

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

If none of this good advice works for you make sure to check the transmission shift lever to assure it is in the neutral position.

Jim

 

[Ralf H]

Hi Captain Pat,

We have not sold any boats with remote keys that would require batteries. To add to what Jim said, also make sure the station is not switched to the other helm inadvertently as well. Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Ralf