Invalid Key Code

(R3-R8, R30, R35)
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Elkhunter2372
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Invalid Key Code

Post by Elkhunter2372 »

First trip out this year in the R3....boat started great and ran great for about 3 hours playing and just cruising. Pulled into a cove and was maneuvering around a bit and couldn't get it to go back into gear. Played around with it for a minute and finally got it to in to gear. Turned off the key and motor continued to run. Pulled key completely out of the ignition and still wouldn't shut off. Error code popped on the volvo panel that said Key Code Invalid. Boat was running fine but couldn't shut down the engine. Headed to the dock and called my dealer. He said he had heard of it and knew what to do to shut it down, but didn't know what would happen once I did. Tied off to the dock, pushed the stop button on the left side of the block and engine shut down. When it did, everything went dead. Garmins, trim, etc. Tried shutting batteries off, then back on and making the system reboot to no avail so off to the dealer she goes. Dealer figures one of the computers on board has failed. Anyone else had this occur?
Bill Hampton
2021 Cobalt R3
Navy with Yellow Edge stripe, White bottom
350 HP Volvo Evc with Duo Prop
Grand Junction, CO

Lake Powell, UT
Western Colorado lakes
Elkhunter2372
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Re: Invalid Key Code

Post by Elkhunter2372 »

Update.....when I got home that day from the lake, I cleaned her up. Took her back to my storage area and plugged her in. Went back a few days later to get her ready to pull to the dealer in Denver. Out of curiosity, turned on the key and low and behold, all the electronics came on. I didnt try starting her since I didnt have water. I was thinking dead battery(s) at the lake for whatever reason. Went ahead and took it to the dealer in Denver and when he started diagnostics....she was deader than a hammer. He ended up finding one of the onboard brain units somewhere in the system had died. He went ahead and replaced the other one of the two as well for safety precautions and then reprogrammed and all is good. Should get her back later this week and hopefully she'll be ready for a few more hours on our short Colorado summer.
Bill Hampton
2021 Cobalt R3
Navy with Yellow Edge stripe, White bottom
350 HP Volvo Evc with Duo Prop
Grand Junction, CO

Lake Powell, UT
Western Colorado lakes
kad
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Re: Invalid Key Code

Post by kad »

This is exact thing just happened to our R7 Surf over the weekend. We just bought the boat and it was our very first time taking it out. Invalid key error code and the boat wouldn't turn off. Had to do the kill switch and then the boat wouldn't turn back on and had to get towed in. The boat still won't turn on, but the radio and lights work. Anyone else had this issue? Any specifics on what part it was?
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AsLan7
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Re: Invalid Key Code

Post by AsLan7 »

kad wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2024 11:07 am This is exact thing just happened to our R7 Surf over the weekend. We just bought the boat and it was our very first time taking it out. Invalid key error code and the boat wouldn't turn off. Had to do the kill switch and then the boat wouldn't turn back on and had to get towed in. The boat still won't turn on, but the radio and lights work. Anyone else had this issue? Any specifics on what part it was?
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So glad you found us kad.

Hopefully these are isolated incidents. Haven’t heard of this issue. Keep us updated.

And welcome aboard mate.
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Hows4287
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Re: Invalid Key Code

Post by Hows4287 »

Hey Kad,

Do you have an update on what your issue was? I am having the same issue.

Howard
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puttsputts
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Re: Invalid Key Code

Post by puttsputts »

just had same issue you described can you tell me the fix?
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jhnmdahl
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Re: Invalid Key Code

Post by jhnmdahl »

puttsputts wrote: Mon Jul 06, 2026 10:00 am just had same issue you described can you tell me the fix?
Sounds like it's probably a bad ECU, which really requires a tow in to the dealer to fix (hopefully under warranty).
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