ENGINE IMMOBILISER FAULT - sometimes don't want to start.

[Andrew]

Hi Guys,
I've a problem again, this time with immobiliser.
From time to time engine don't want to start, second try and I've ENGINE IMMOBILISER FAULT on MFD and Immo symbol on dashboard, third try everything ok :/
The problem is growing when is hot outside, and engine haven't been turned on for couple of hours.
Can you suggest me what can I do alone?

[rwb]

The most common cause is the aerial around the ignition barrel that reads the chip in the key. It's a cheap part and easy to replace.

However: you need a diagnostic session to determine for certain that the aerial is the root cause.

[Andrew]

Thanks, I'll check immobiliser antena plug at the beginning

[charliedog]

Hi,

I have a similar problem too. I have been working on the car on and off for over 2 months now without starting the engine. The battery ran flat and I had to use another car battery to open the doors using the remote control. I have also had to use the other key (non remote) to open/lock doors. On occasions when I have managed to get a little bit of juice into the battery, the mfd said stand-by mode and that's all. I bit the bullet and bought a new battery and the starter motor turned the engine over briskly but it would not start. No other electrics worked other than emergency flashers, console lights. No radio, climate control, heated windows, window controls, wipers etc. I can open/close doors using remote fob. When trying to start the car the warning lights in the console come on then go off one by one as normal leaving only the battery light illuminated. When starter motor turns the engine imobiliser light comes on. There is not an indication that the engine will fire up. Never come across this before .Help is needed please

[GingerMagic]

Ah, if the little orange key symbol is on in the bottom of the dash then the car won't start. Either you are using a spare key without the transponder chip inside it, or the car has gone all French and 'forgot' the key code that turns off the immobiliser..

Is there a bonging noise if you leave the key in the ignition and open the drivers door? No bong then key is not recognised.

[charliedog]

Ginger Magic,

Thank you for replying so quick, also for your help on a previous topic of trying to fill 406hdi 2003 110 bhp gearbox, have done that now through the breather pipe - I hope

Yes it does go Bong

It does lock/open remotely

[charliedog]

Do you know what the aerial around the ignition barrel is, and where is it exactly.

The following by another member is almost identical to my problem


Hi, I have a 406 problem that is driving me nuts.

My HDI 90 - 406 diesel Estate (2004) has developed a very annoying problem.

The car was parked up for 3 weeks. When I tried to start it after the 3 week period, it wouldn't start

and the display said I had an 'immobiliser problem'

Accompanying this message were another couple of faults. The headlights came on automatically, and so did the

intermittent wiper mode. Moving the stalk made no difference to the lights, or to the wipers.

The car wouldn't open on the key plip. When I manually keyed the door, all the doors unlocked.

I've changed the key battery.

I've changed the main battery.

I've checked the key 'aerial'

I've reprogrammed the key to the car ,,, ignition on, press button A, turn ignition off etc.

I disconnected the main battery overnight, the next day, the message disappeared and the car started and ran ok.

A couple of days later, the problems returned, disconnected the battery overnight, but this time, the next day, the message returned.

Disconnected the main battery again, two hours later, the message had disappeared. The car started.

This morning, the message is back, the headlights are on, the auto wipers are on, and the car won't start.

The battery is disconnected as I type.

I don't want the auto wiper function, and I don't want the auto headlight function, and I don't want the immobiliser to work.

Can someone please tell me how to a) Permanently fix the problem, or b) disable the immobiliser and the auto wiper / headlight function.
I realise that any help cannot be posted on a public forum, so please PM me if you can help in any way.

I've read that the radio is programmed to the immobiliser, so may not work without some skulldugery.

Can one of you please sort it for me? Thanks in advance.


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[GingerMagic]

Under the black plastic cowling there are wires a-plenty....

The transponder ring is simply a black ring around the ignition barrel with a plug on the end. This ring just slides off and isn't coded to the car so a replacement will be plug and play.

The symptoms of the lights/wiper coming on with the ignition even if turned off seems to point to a Comms fault. In case you aren't sure, the comms unit is the big wiper/indicator combo behind the steering wheel, and these have been known to occasionally* go wrong. If the comms unit isn't plugged in ( 4 or 5 connectors on the back ) then the wipers and lights start on their own and the car won't start.

Please double check the wires are plugged in properly, be gentle if you try to unplug them as the tab is a bit tricky , but the grey connector carries the immobiliser info to the BSI or wherever, so if this is loose then the car won't start...

The best place to fill the gear box is the reverse light switch hole, bit late now though, sorry..

Edit, have you tried to lock/unlock the doors manually with the key? Not an immobilizer issue really but you never know with these cars...

[charliedog]

Thank you for that, I will check and see. I have 2 keys, one which I can open the doors with and the remote fob which also starts the car (did).

Am I right in saying that when the immobiliser light is displayed on the dashboard then the car will not start?

From an electrical point of view, the only electrical contacts I have disturbed are the battery (new one fitted), the ABS leads at the hub when I removed the hub from the car. the reversing plug switch. Will re-check, any other checks I cud make?

I have done a lot of work recently on this car (my sons by the way) and thought I could see the light at the end of the tunnel not sure what to do next

[charliedog]

Sorted, it does help if you have the right transponder in the key. Changed the key fob (internal) bits but forgot the transponder, little black chip!!!

charliedog