Volvo starts without key fob

C

coreychamness

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 30, 2013
Messages
216
Fluid Motion Model
C-302 SC
Vessel Name
Tugs 'n Kisses
MMSI Number
338175171
I am able to turn on and start my Volvo D300 without either of my two key fobs near my boat. Has anyone else experienced this situation? It definitely was not originally this way and now it doesn't matter if the key is aboard or not. How do I re-enable the key based ignition?

Corey Chamness
 
The fob is required to unlock and lock the ignition. It's not required to start the engine. Is it possible you haven't locked the ignition? I've done this myself more than once.

Bruce
 
What is "locking" the ignition? All I have ever done is turn it off? Clearly i must have been doing something by accident before which I am no longer doing. All I have ever done that I know of is turn the ignition on, start the engine (using start button), stop the engine, turn the ignition off. Was there something else? I have definitely never done anything in that regard using the Volvo gauge panel. I have seen in the screens where you can pair another key.

Corey
 
Lock the ignition by swiping the fob near the ignition/start button. It should beep (I forget how many times) and the little light turns red. The ignition is then locked and the buttons become inactive. Swiping the fob across the buttons again will result in another beep(s) and the light changing. The buttons are now activated.

Without being on the boat I'm not certain of the beep/color sequence. You'll be able to figure it out after a few swipes. The fob does not have to be in proximity when the ignition is unlocked.

Bruce
 
I had the same situation with my 2013 R-27. Couldn't find the fobs that the dealer insisted must be on the boat otherwise it wouldn't start. The dealer made two trips to search the boat for the fobs he knew must be aboard. No luck. He finally referred it to the Volvo service guy to install/program replacement fobs. The end of the story is that nobody this side of Volvo Penta HQ understood that the fob(s) do not have to be aboard for the engine to start. Instead, the fob is intended to be slowly swiped across the on/off/start panel to activate/deactivate the function. If you didn't use the fob to shut it down last time out, you (or anybody aboard) can start the engine without the fob. If you used the fob (swipe/beep) to shut it down, you'll need the fob to reactivate. At least that's how mine works. (Never did find the original fobs).
 
Wow, thanks. I clearly snoozed through that part of my training. I don't believe I have ever "swiped" across the e-key panel. I am certain the ignition would not turn on unless the e-key fob was "close enough" to the panel at times in the past. We had to have it in the vicinity of the helm chair. I will try to lock mine tomorrow when onboard.
 
My advice is to unlock the ignition and put the fob in a secure location on the boat and then forget about it. Use the door lock to keep boat thieves away.
 
That's probably a pretty special lock on the door, considering how difficult it is to find a key blank. However, keeping in mind that in the unlocked-ignition scenario anybody who can get into the cabin can start the engine (assuming they first find and turn the engine battery power switch) and also keeping in mind that my R-27 has 7 hatches and 6 windows that, even if properly secured, could probably be opened with a $10 flat bar, I plan to continue locking the door AND activating the engine lockout provided by Volvo. If the need ever arises, I'd like to be able to tell the insurance company that I used all the theft deterrents that came with the boat.
 
A can't disagree with Cap't Crunch's logic on intended use for anti-theft. My approach is based on horror stories of lost fobs leaving owners with costly replacement of ignition, new fobs and lost time on the water - weighing this against the possibility that a motivated thief will find a way on, in and away with the boat seems an acceptable risk. Lighting and a motion sensor/camera is my preferred security. I would not criticize anyone for using the fobs, just adding my opinion.
 
Thanks for the education. I successfully locked our ignition system this weekend using the e-key swipe across the panel. It gave an audible beep and the little red LED is now flashing at the bottom of the panel. I think it is a security improvement. It is extremely easy to drop down any of the hatches with external dogs.
 
Related to Cabin security... On our C28 and I'm assuming most other Cutwaters and Rangers there's a pull release that prevents the window next to the helm from being opened. That pull release is easily turned to keep it in the open unlocked position and on multiple occasions I've forgotten to twist it an return it to locked. Those windows are easily big enough for someone to crawl through and gain access to the cabin. So for me it's not enough to just lock the cabin. I always try to remember to lock my ignition as well. And remember you have to lock the ignition before you cut the DC power to it otherwise the fob won't read and your ignition will still be unlocked.

Steve
 
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