Well hello folks. My first problem post. Thought I had nothing better to do yesterday morning but jump in the car get it started and all warmed up to take my son to school. But to my surprise I was confronted with "KEY ERROR...PLEASE TRY AGAIN", so I did and again and again with both keys, no joy. So it was a very fast walk to school which was good as it was -3 degrees C yesterday.
Back to the car I had to watch it being unceremoniously dragged off to the dealers. I called today to get an update to be told that a new steering column was on order?
Have any of you guys had something similar and can it be a steering column!! He says incredulously.

Today, I experienced exactly same problem.
"KEY ERROR" messages over and over again.
When I first contacted the Volvo-on-calls, the guy there said to me to open and close the door by remo. several times and it could make the immobilizer system work right again. But no way!!! I was really embarassed.
After about an hour, it happened to work. The message disappeared and I can start the engine. I never want to experience it again.
Now, I am waiting for my car to be fixed in the volvo service shop.

Sorry Folks. :imsorry:

I should have updated this long ago. The fault with my car was the electronic steering lock. It had developed a fault and hence the key error message. The dealer had to replace the upper steering column apparently. Thank ( insert your appropriate deity here) for warranty. Would have seen little change from £800. Thats nearly $1600 US at present exchange rates. :thumbsup:

Although I have not experienced this error myself, I have seen it discussed many times on other Volvo forums. If you have ever noticed, when you first insert the key, you can hear an electric motor unlock the steering wheel. That is where the system is failing, and yes, replacing the steering column is the fix. As you said "Thank (insert your appropriate deity here) for warranty."

Hi,

I had the Key Error Message. It happened once then nothing for weeks. Then one day it happened and then every few starts. It was taken to the dealer who then replaced under warranty the ignition barrel.

No problems since.

Andy

Hi,
I am a S40 (2005) owner.
Yesterday evening I also got the venerable "KEY ERROR..... PLEASE TRY AGAIN" Message.
This message poped up once one month ago but and I was able to start my car then just by simply Locking/Unlocking the doors.

Yesterday it refused to start whatsoever. I also used my spare keys with no results.
I was forced to call the emergency service and get the car transported on a lift to my volvo service garage.

After a few hours they diagnosed tha it was the ignition switch......
Although my garrantie was for 2 years and expired in 2007, THIS SPECIFIC part was under garrantie
until 2009 (for 4 yaers also)...... So I got it replaced without payment.
The car works now.

Asking further questions (I also searched the internet) to the person who is responsible for the volvo cars at that service garage, I got the information that:
THERE ARE SPECIFIC PARTS IN THE RECENT VOLVO CARS THAT WERE RECOGNIZED TO REPEADEATLY FAIL ON CUSTOMERS AFTER 2-4 YEARS OF USAGE. THERE IS A HIDDEN LIST OF THESE PARTS AND WHENEVER YOU GO TO A QUALIFIED SERVICE PARTNER AND HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM INSIDE THE FIRST 4 YEARS YOU GET A REPLACEMENT AT LEAST ONCE.

He told me this was "off the record", and also showed me the list.... I also got last year a replacement of a faulty part which was on this list without knowing. They just changed it without notifying me.
Apparently VOLVO used some lower grade parts which normaly fail in 2-4 years and that is why they produced this secret list and did not notifiy the customers to check-in and replace the parts.

Not beeing able to start my car when I was in need was very painfull, I would appreciete a better treatment/warning from such a reputational car manufacturer.
They know that a very high percentage of the cars (this also shows in the forums on the net) is going to have this fault in 2-4 years of its purchase. Why are they not recalling the cars which exhibit this?
Maybe because they dont want to hurt their image, ON THE EXPENSE OF THE CUSTOMER WHICH GETS STUCK WHEN THIS FAULT HAPPENS.....
I wasnt even able to unlock my steering wheel and had a special service come to lift the car...

If this error occurs after say 5 years they now nothing about this list and let you pay for it dearly.
Chances are that is you have a new volvo you will get this error too.
So dont be surprized.

Dimi