Volvo Immobilizer System Warning Lights: Alarm System Service Required; Immobilizer, See Manual; Start Prevented, Try Again

This problem will prevent you from starting up the car and one of the above warning lamps will be illuminated on the dashboard instrument panel. But no need to worry, and don’t start pulling out your hair out just yet. 

The immobilizer system “locks” or immobilizes the car because it does not recognize the ignition key — Wrong Key – or if there is a fault in the system. Therefore, get the correct ignition key and reset the immobilizer system in order to start the car.

Reset: Lock and unlock the door 5 times in a row with the remote fob (clicker) or ignition key.

 Alarm System Service Required (Anti-Theft System) - You may have a faulty alarm module – it could be a bad siren. If you deliberately set off the alarm and the lights FLASH but no sound is given off by the siren, then have the rechargeable batteries in the siren checked – good for 5 to 6 years. Have the Alarm System checked out at the volvo Dealership.

Immobilizer, See Manual and Start Prevented, Try Again warning lights 

When the immobilizer system is activated, the car will not start . In order for the car to start, the immobilizer system has to be deactivated.

Potential causes of Immobilize Failure are:

  1. Wrong key used for starting the engine.
  2. Ignition has been switched on and off more than 3 times while driving.
  3. Open circuit in signal cable at the module.
  4. Defective Engine Control Module (ECM).
  5. Defective Central Electronic Module (CEM).
  6. Corroded starter wire (a loose battery cable running to the starter can trigger immobilizer warning light).
  7. Faulty Antenna Ring.
  8. Having two ignition keys in close proximity; master and valet key or two master keys close together. The ignition key or transponder key sends out a RFID coded signal. Thus, two signals may cause interference in the system.

Immobilizer system consists of:

  • Antenna ring
  • Central electronic module (CEM)
  • Engine control module (ECM)
  • Driver information module (DIM)

The central electronic module (CEM) is the head of the immobilizer system. The brain of the car or engine control module (ECM) and the CEM, communicate with each other through secret codes (rolling codes).

So, when you slide the ignition key (transponder or chip  key) into the ignition lock cylinder, the key transmits a RFID signal– unique identification code – from the chip key to the CEM via the Antenna Ring, which is installed around the ignition switch. 
On approving the the identity of the key, the central electronic module (CEM) transmits commands and signals to the other units in the system. Chief among these units is the relay for the starter motor which controls the fuel pump. When fuel is injected into the engine, the car will start up. But when there is a problem with the Immobilizer system, the driver’s information module (DIM) will illuminate a warning light in the dashboard.

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