1992 940 new owner questions!

[lixah]

Hey, so recently i bought a 1992 volvo 940 2.0 turbo, with 120k on the clock, it was a pretty good deal since the car also had 12 month mot and 6 tax.

I have a couple of questions about the car, it came with that the seller described as the factory immobilizer, consisting of 4 sensors? around the windscreen, yet the car only came with 1 key (no fob) so i don't really understand how this works. and if it doesn't, is it easy to strip out?

Also there is a bit of noise/rubbing sound when turning at full lock, i am very un-knowledgeable in terms of mechanical diagnosis, and would appreciate some advice.

regards, lixah.

[Steve940estate]

As far as I know cars earlier came with immobilisers built into the alarm system, later cars had a coded chipped ignition key.
If your car has a genuine Volvo alarm you need the keyfob to operate it properly.

The rubbing noise on full lock could just be the noise they make which is fairly normal (at least on my car), does it do it when the car is stationary with the engine running ?
If not then it's worth having a look under he car to make sure nothing is rubbing the tyres.

[lixah]

Hi steve, thanks for your reply, it does not make a noise when the car is not moving, but the engine is on.

Is there a way to get a replacement keyfob, and to check weather the alarm/immobilizer still works? I imagine it would require a volvo dealer to setup?

regards, lixah.

[Kevs Estate]

Seems like you've had a decent buy. That's a low mileage car for one over twenty years old!
Enjoy

[Forrest]

Is there a triangular module about half way up the A pillar which flashes LEDs (visible through the windscreen) when you open a door? If so, you probably have a Volvoguard I alarm and immobiliser. There is quite a lot of material on-line about these and how to programme fobs. The fobs are quite chunky and grey with a single button.

I think there was an earlier type of alarm that was operated using the key, but I am not familiar with that type.

It is fairly common for problems to develop with Volvo alarms and immobilisers. It is therefore possible that a previous owner has bypassed or partially removed the system. In my own experience, over time, the distance the fob will work from the car reduces to zero. With the Volvoguard I type it may still work if you hold the fob right next to the triangular module.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your new car.

[lixah]

Originally Posted by Forrest

Is there a triangular module about half way up the A pillar which flashes LEDs (visible through the windscreen) when you open a door? If so, you probably have a Volvoguard I alarm and immobiliser. There is quite a lot of material on-line about these and how to programme fobs. The fobs are quite chunky and grey with a single button.

I think there was an earlier type of alarm that was operated using the key, but I am not familiar with that type.

It is fairly common for problems to develop with Volvo alarms and immobilisers. It is therefore possible that a previous owner has bypassed or partially removed the system. In my own experience, over time, the distance the fob will work from the car reduces to zero. With the Volvoguard I type it may still work if you hold the fob right next to the triangular module.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your new car.

thanks for your reply i will check that today. I do have another question, bear in mind i am a total car noob, but does/did the fob also have central locking, or was it purely for the alarm/immobilizer?

Because if not, i will probably remove it completely.
thanks, lixah

[Steve940estate]

The remote does give central locking but you can still do that using the key if you decide to remove the alarm.
You probably won't have any problems until you either get a flat battery or need disconnect it.

The alarm itself should just unplug but the immobiliser needs to be sorted out. I can send details if you decide to go that route.

[lixah]

Originally Posted by Steve940estate

The remote does give central locking but you can still do that using the key if you decide to remove the alarm.
You probably won't have any problems until you either get a flat battery or need disconnect it.

The alarm itself should just unplug but the immobiliser needs to be sorted out. I can send details if you decide to go that route.

Hi, how exactly would i check if the alarm/immobilizer works? obviously its not worth going through with fixing up the fob unless they where all in working order.

regards, lixah.

[lixah]

just phoned my local volvo specialist, they want £42 just to diagnose weather or not the system still works!

and another £100 per fob/programming.

[Forrest]

You should know if you have got central locking because it will activate when you lock and unlock the driver's door with the key.

If you have the triangular module I mentioned before then you probably have at least some of the components of a Volvoguard 1 alarm.

If the LEDs in this module flash when you open a door or the bonnet there is a good chance the alarm sensors are working and the control module is present.

You could also look for the alarm module behind the lower dash panel (above the pedals, remove the three torx screws and jiggle the panel free). The module will have 210/211 printed on it.

There are various PDFs on here which might help you to programme a remote fob yourself if you are able to source one. They crop up on eBay periodically. But you will need to research carefully what alarm version you have since the fobs are not interchangeable. Also, if you buy a second hand one it may be faulty. The microswitch can fail and there is an electronic component which often breaks away from the circuit board but can be re-soldered with care. The volvoguard 1 fob has a red LED which lights when the button is pressed if it is working properly.

Although it is in the 850 section I have always found this PDF the most helpful.

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/ser...heftSystem.pdf

If you do your own investigation it looks as though you can save £££, but I'd also have thought you could find an independent specialist who could advise you for less than you've been quoted. I bought new volvoguard 1 fobs from a main dealer a few years ago for much less than £100 each and that included the (very simple) programming.