Crappy Alarm fobs

Author
Discussion

Ballistic Banana

Original Poster:

14,700 posts

273 months

Friday 21st January 2011
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Thinking of trying to change my huge V8V Volvo alarm fob.
Anyone tried this? There are some much speaker fobs out there with the same functions.
I haven't taken mine apart yet but I'm sure it would probably fit in another with a few minor alterations.
Any thoughts? Can't believe they give you these things especially with what pops up on the dash every time you put the ignition on.

BB

jonamv8

3,176 posts

172 months

Friday 21st January 2011
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Agree - Let me know how you get on. I hate my key fob

froggie

896 posts

248 months

Sunday 23rd January 2011
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Had a quick look in to em, a new shell design "made in china" so the original guts can be transferred in to it seams the easiest option to get round the "programming" of a complete set up.
A new design in housing could keep the same button configuration but change of design of buttons and fob, incorporating the key flick blade in to the fob (similar to 5 button landrover or jag) as I assume that`s what would be required?

Not sure about the transmitter areal interference if a whole alloy fob is machined.

On first looking quantities of 1000 were the norm..In which case I cant see it being economical.
(There are also two types of transmitter I know of)
What would you pay for a Nicer fob/key combination and what sort of demand is there?
a look at the Ovlov and Foff market may tot the numbers up

(a silicone condom is posible like a phone cover to tart them up available in various colours)

The second option is to modify the existing carcase to hold the blade, I have just set a small machining workshop up for a 14yr old model engineer friend of mine (he makes stean trains from scratch!!),
he is going to have a look at doing a conversion/modification to combine the fob and blade (when I get them to him).

Unless people fancy a keyless start where the blade can be binned altogether? TVR Cerbra style?


m12kop

262 posts

222 months

Sunday 23rd January 2011
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I guess most people would want 2 fobs?

Siy

460 posts

225 months

Monday 24th January 2011
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I would def take one...can't stand the current setup!

PK1990

91 posts

251 months

Monday 24th January 2011
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+1.

Asap pls Froggie!!!

I'm happy to pay the going rate, whatever this is.

hussar10a

449 posts

220 months

Monday 24th January 2011
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I would have one too, but I've noticed from day one that the position I have my steering wheel set to barely leaves enough room to turn the standard key, and I'm not sure there would actually be enough "turning clearance" for a fatter all-in-one type.

V8V CG

134 posts

170 months

Monday 24th January 2011
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... the position I have my steering wheel set to barely leaves enough room to turn the standard key, and I'm not sure there would actually be enough "turning clearance" for a fatter all-in-one type.

+1

docj

7 posts

241 months

Monday 24th January 2011
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+1

V8V CG

134 posts

170 months

Monday 24th January 2011
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Slightly on this subject, I could not see where to insert the key to turn on the ignition when it was dark, so I bought some glow in the dark Starglow 40mm wide tape from glowtec.co.uk and cut out a "Polo Mint" size piece which I fixed on the ignition. No problem since.

V8V Man

322 posts

189 months

Monday 24th January 2011
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+1

froggie

896 posts

248 months

Sunday 30th January 2011
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hussar10a said:
I would have one too, but I've noticed from day one that the position I have my steering wheel set to barely leaves enough room to turn the standard key, and I'm not sure there would actually be enough "turning clearance" for a fatter all-in-one type.
Which model/s dose this apply to? Anyone on here close to the cleveland area?
Might have to look at offsetting the blade or possibly jump straight to the remote keyless start Defrost and a warm welcome for those cold mornings?



UMM the blade is set at 90 deg to the handle,on both the db9 and my Vanquish keys, compared to a ford, is this relevant to the above restriction on your cars?
Would it be possible for a photo of the clearance please?


Josh has just had a play today and come up with a conversion/modification to the Volvo style fob to incorporate the key, just got to take a new blank blade for him to silver solder in, hope to post pictures soon (ill take and post some of his late granddads absolutely Immaculate db4 as well)

Could I just ask, Do Aston Martin supply a 16 digit or bar code for your fobs and a key no.in your manuals ? or is it just on dealer data base ?


With regard to the visibility of the lock,
Older fords and alike had an illuminated ring that slid over the fag lighter wonder if one of these could easily be slid between the lock barrel and cowling? then wired in to the interior light (and possibly on a time delay if your interior light dosn`t welcome you on board already.) Wiring that way the lock light will go out when driving.






notax

2,091 posts

245 months

Sunday 30th January 2011
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I'm collecting my V8V this week and would be very interested in improving the key. Please let us know how you get on, having read various forums I'm sure there will be very high demand if you can improve on the current design. Good luck!

V12Van

16 posts

166 months

Monday 31st January 2011
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Hi Froggie, please count me in, the current fob/key is a niggle for such a great car. Thanks.

moveover

345 posts

169 months

Monday 31st January 2011
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Yep, I'd be interested too. The "Volvo" insignia is beginning to show through on my fob. Dammed embarrassing.

pchmax

28 posts

176 months

Monday 31st January 2011
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Just purchased my first Aston, not collected yet but certainly interested in this if you can crack it! Good luck

macpaul

138 posts

167 months

Tuesday 1st February 2011
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I'd have a pair. I've got one with Volvo stamped on it too. Awful.

yeti

10,523 posts

281 months

Tuesday 1st February 2011
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To add - me too, it's a pretty crappy fob for such a high class car (2006 DB9).

Has anyone ever had their fob re-covered in leather? Might do that and have a small AM badge attached to it. Just something to elevate if from a Volvo people carrier!

notax

2,091 posts

245 months

Wednesday 2nd February 2011
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One of the reasons the Volvo derived fob is so big is obviously that the key folds into it. Would most people's preference be for a normal key with separate fob, or an all in one design? Maybe someone with a key they particularly like from another marque can post some pics to help the OP with his investigations?

What would be involved in changing to the newer style ECU 'key'?

froggie

896 posts

248 months

Thursday 3rd February 2011
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There rely arnt any nice alarm/keys out there.

Aston Martin do a few remote watches but think they must still use the key blade, I could try asking my friends over there about a similar watch remote?

Hope fully I can get these blank key blades to young Josh Friday so he can attach one to his machined part,he should have made a loop to attach the ring to by then so the 1st combined key and fob should be made by Monday.

Ive got a couple of flip type keys to pick up and examine the mechanisms,and see how they can be incorporated with the volvo inners.

Any ideas on design shapes/materials would be a help,
remembering the buttons on the circuit board wont be movable but the shape of the button will

Not sure how "power beauty soul" work as i aint seem one. id suspect some form of "push on push off switch"
how do you open the car with one?