Experiencing issues starting your Volvo? A dead key fob battery can be a common culprit, leaving you wondering how to access and start your vehicle. Fortunately, Volvo has designed its key fobs with a hidden mechanical key blade to ensure you’re never stranded. This guide will walk you through accessing your Volvo even when your key fob battery is dead, and how to replace the battery for continued remote functionality.
First, let’s address accessing your Volvo when the key fob battery is out of power. Your Volvo key fob cleverly conceals a mechanical key blade. This traditional key allows you to manually unlock the driver’s side door, regardless of the key fob battery’s condition. This is particularly useful not only for entering your car, but it’s the first crucial step in starting your Volvo when the electronic key functions are unavailable.
To reveal the mechanical key blade, start by holding your Volvo key fob with the Volvo logo facing upwards and towards you. Locate the small black button situated on the bottom left edge of the fob. While pressing and sliding this black button to the right, simultaneously slide the key fob cover downwards and then upwards. This action will loosen the cover, allowing you to slide it off and expose the mechanical key blade housed beneath. Once exposed, simply remove the key blade from the fob. You can now use this blade to manually unlock the driver’s side door of your Volvo, just like a traditional car key.
After unlocking your Volvo with the mechanical key, you might be wondering how to actually start the engine. In many Volvo models, even with a dead key fob battery, you can still start the vehicle. The process typically involves placing the key fob in close proximity to the steering column or a designated area inside the car while pressing the start button. Refer to your Volvo owner’s manual for the exact procedure for your specific model, as it might slightly vary. This system is designed to detect the key fob’s presence passively, even without battery power, enabling you to start the engine in an emergency.
Now, to restore full remote functionality to your key fob, you’ll need to replace its battery. The battery replacement process is straightforward. Begin by removing the cover as described earlier to access the mechanical key blade compartment. With the cover removed, rotate the key fob 90 degrees in your hand. You’ll now find a small grey button located in the top right corner (the black button used to open the cover should now be on the bottom right). Press this grey button to slide and detach the back cover of the key fob.
Turning the key fob over will reveal the battery compartment. You’ll see a small cover with a slot. Use a flat head screwdriver or a coin to turn this battery cover counterclockwise, aligning the arrows to the “OPEN” position. Once in the open position, gently pry the battery cover upwards to access the battery. The Volvo key fob typically uses a CR 2032 3V battery. Remove the old battery and replace it with a new CR 2032 battery, ensuring the correct polarity. Reassemble the key fob by replacing the battery cover, sliding the back cover back into place until it clicks, and finally reattaching the main cover.
By following these steps, you can confidently access and start your Volvo even with a dead key fob battery, and easily restore your key fob’s remote functions by replacing the battery. Remember to consult your Volvo owner’s manual for the most accurate and detailed instructions specific to your vehicle model.
