Immobiliser???

Camulus · 17th January 2012, 15:52

3 times this week I've gone to the car and tried to start it but whilst all the electrics work it will not even turn over - no dimming of lights etc so not a battery issue.
If I keep trying, after maybe 5 mins it'll suddenly work.
I'm presuming this is the engine immobiliser at work (or not!) but how can I resolve it?
I had a very similar issue with my BMW and that was never resolved!

pab · 17th January 2012, 17:05

Thread moved to the technical help forum,redirection left.

chrissyboy · 17th January 2012, 17:17

it could be the battery ,when cranking it takes alot from the battery .if you have a multi meter get someone to crank the car while you see what the volts are dropping too .my guess would be that its going below 9volts on cranking ...

marinabrian · 17th January 2012, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camulus

3 times this week I've gone to the car and tried to start it but whilst all the electrics work it will not even turn over - no dimming of lights etc so not a battery issue.
If I keep trying, after maybe 5 mins it'll suddenly work.
I'm presuming this is the engine immobiliser at work (or not!) but how can I resolve it?
I had a very similar issue with my BMW and that was never resolved!

Does your car have a message centre IPK, if so you should get a engine disabled symbol if the car is immobilised.
If your car is fitted with a sunroof, the RH front drain, is a known weak point, can leak and results in the EWS unit becoming water damaged.
Not all is lost, if caught early enough I can retrieve the coding from your EWS, and reprogram a replacement unit.
HTH
Brian

RovingDennis · 17th January 2012, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camulus

3 times this week I've gone to the car and tried to start it but whilst all the electrics work it will not even turn over - no dimming of lights etc so not a battery issue.
If I keep trying, after maybe 5 mins it'll suddenly work.
I'm presuming this is the engine immobiliser at work (or not!) but how can I resolve it?
I had a very similar issue with my BMW and that was never resolved!

I had the exact same problem and it was the immobiliser which is behind the side panel in drivers foot-well. It seems it gets wet from condensation. If the chip is o.k. it can be repaired, mine had a resistor rotted away and rust around other bits. If chip is no good then it gets expensive. Good luck.

Camulus · 17th January 2012, 17:39

Thanks for the input -

1) The engine doesn't turn at all so it's not low on cranking power

2) I don't have an IPK so cannot check that

3) Do you know exactly where that unit is located? It sounds hopefull. I was thinking it may the 'proximity ring' around the ignition switch but details on that seem to be a more closely guarded secret then Nora Batty's inside leg measurement!

marinabrian · 17th January 2012, 17:46

Yes I do

, I'll PM you some pictures if you like
Brian

Camulus · 17th January 2012, 18:57

Cheers for that, pm would be much appreciated

chrissyboy · 17th January 2012, 19:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camulus

Thanks for the input -

1) The engine doesn't turn at all so it's not low on cranking power

2) I don't have an IPK so cannot check that

3) Do you know exactly where that unit is located? It sounds hopefull. I was thinking it may the 'proximity ring' around the ignition switch but details on that seem to be a more closely guarded secret then Nora Batty's inside leg measurement!

if the engine dont turn over it may be the battery aint got enough power to turn the engine over .if you look at the ignition lights they may all disappear as you turn the key . having said tha it may also be the starter solonoid contacts

Mike Noc · 17th January 2012, 20:31

Agree Chrissyboy could be starter motor solenoid, or even a bad control wire connection on the starter motor. Worth giving it a clean up.

Mike

17th January 2012, 15:52	#1
Camulus Avid contributor MG ZT+ 2.5 190 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Huntingdon Posts: 106 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Immobiliser??? 3 times this week I've gone to the car and tried to start it but whilst all the electrics work it will not even turn over - no dimming of lights etc so not a battery issue. If I keep trying, after maybe 5 mins it'll suddenly work. I'm presuming this is the engine immobiliser at work (or not!) but how can I resolve it? I had a very similar issue with my BMW and that was never resolved! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] A good right hook settles any argument!

17th January 2012, 17:17	#3
chrissyboy This is my second home lovely little ford focus. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: East Dulwich Posts: 7,877 Thanks: 2 Thanked 82 Times in 68 Posts	it could be the battery ,when cranking it takes alot from the battery .if you have a multi meter get someone to crank the car while you see what the volts are dropping too .my guess would be that its going below 9volts on cranking ... __________________ [ I'm really confused. -I keep dreaming I'm an insomniac Last edited by chrissyboy; 17th January 2012 at 17:27..

17th January 2012, 17:39	#6
Camulus Avid contributor MG ZT+ 2.5 190 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Huntingdon Posts: 106 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the input - 1) The engine doesn't turn at all so it's not low on cranking power 2) I don't have an IPK so cannot check that 3) Do you know exactly where that unit is located? It sounds hopefull. I was thinking it may the 'proximity ring' around the ignition switch but details on that seem to be a more closely guarded secret then Nora Batty's inside leg measurement! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] A good right hook settles any argument!

17th January 2012, 18:57	#8
Camulus Avid contributor MG ZT+ 2.5 190 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Huntingdon Posts: 106 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cheers for that, pm would be much appreciated __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] A good right hook settles any argument!

17th January 2012, 17:05	#2
pab Banned MG ZT V6 190+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 33,223 Thanks: 41 Thanked 1,614 Times in 1,416 Posts	Thread moved to the technical help forum,redirection left.

17th January 2012, 17:46	#7
marinabrian MG ZT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 20,151 Thanks: 3,565 Thanked 10,837 Times in 5,718 Posts	Yes I do , I'll PM you some pictures if you like Brian

17th January 2012, 20:31	#10
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,550 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	Agree Chrissyboy could be starter motor solenoid, or even a bad control wire connection on the starter motor. Worth giving it a clean up. Mike