Intermittant start problem - is it the immobilisor?

[sixspeed]

Hi all,

I hope someone can offer me some advice....

I have a 2.1TD, which occaisionally will refuse to start. There is no pattern to it, hot/cold, wet/dry etc.

The engine turns but will not fire, and then after a few tries it usually bursts into life as if nothing was wrong! I'm suspecting the immobilisor as it seems to be a weak point on these cars.....however mine is the 'chip in key' variety (i.e. no keypad), so there are no red/green lights telling me what it's status is.

Can anyone suggest a way forward - like bypassing the immobilisor for example? (even if just to rule it out).

Thanks in advance,

Jules.

ps. I've tried searching but all immobilisor posts seem to refer to the keypad (which I haven't got)!!

[steve_earwig]

Hey, mine does something similar, if I light up the glowplugs 3 times it then starts. I've always just ignored it, in the hope it'd either manifest itself in a more apparent manner or just go away.

I ain't got no smegging keypad either.

[sixspeed]

So far it's just been an irritation, but the car is driven daily by 'the other half', and she's worried about being stranded. Plus it's made her late for work a few times as it can take 5-10 mins before it starts.

[sixspeed]

Well after a lot of googling, I've learnt that the transponder aerial has been known to fail intermittantly on 98-99 models. Hopefully a cheap enough replacement that it's worth taking a punt.........now why does the spares dept always close half day on Saturdays? Helpful - NOT!

[steve_earwig]

Looks like you'll have to wait 'til Monday for them to rip you off

(according to Service Box they're £17.31)

Nice one Sherlock. I've not bothered for mine because it's more just an annoyance, rather than total pain in the derriere.

[sixspeed]

Thanks for the link - didn't know that existed!

[sixspeed]

Quick update for anyone interested.

Part fitted very easily, took minutes. It's now two weeks later and the car has started instantly every time, so cautiously optimistic that it's now solved.