Is it my immobiliser? Also boot cable!

[Neptune26]

Hi all,

I have a problem that my car keeps cutting out. It then will not let me re-start the car (lights on - fuel pump whirs, but move the key and nothing happens!) as the immobiliser seems to be engagaed. Trying to de-immobilise the car doesn't work. Then I wait a few minutes - I hear a relay "click" open by the MFRU and then I can de-immobilise the car (another relay "click" and she will crank over. She will not however run for long and when she begins to cut out, no throttle pumping saves her - it seems like the electrics are cut out, or the immobilser hs cut in! - as the extra fuel just makes it stall quicker! She won't tick over, she hunts for an idle and cuts out. I have fitted a new MFRU and a new battery. She is stuck in the garage and I need to go for a drive!

Along with that my boot cable has snapped! Not a great time at the moment! :-( I have a price of a new one of £26 (elise-shop.com) - seems a little high for a plastic handle and a wire cable! Any chance of re-attching the old cable. I can't see how! It snapped right by the handle end, the boot is open and I can access all parts! At least sone good news.

All help appreciated.

[iwilson]

The immobiliser is prone to giving problems. There is a way to bypass it but I'm not going to post it in a public domain. Shoot me an email for instructions.

[Neptune26]

Thanks - I have e-mailed you. Also forgot to mention the car is a 1997 series 1.

[iwilson]

I've replied

[jaykaybi]

This post could have been posted by ME!

My boot cable's knackered itself out this weekend, and my car also keeps deciding to cut.

Fear not - I have the fix to the immobiliser issue. Possibly.
If your problem is the same as mine, you're going to hate the next couple of lines....



The problem in my car is a way over-sensitive collision detection which cuts the fuel pump in the event of an accident (seems immobilised). It's got a mind of its own now, stopped me in traffic t'other day
In my case the fix is as follows:

1) open boot to access engine bay
2) locate spherical button (to reset the trip) on the passenger side, close to the luggage compartment
3) push button
4) drive away



Off to get this fixed soon, I'll post as and when...
Good luck, hope this helps

Edited by jaykaybi on Monday 12th June 10:07

[jaykaybi]

BTW, anybody else had this problem?

[Neptune26]

Jaykaybi - surely when this was happening to you the starter motor would still turn over? As I assume it is just the fuel pump that is stopped.

[jaykaybi]

Nope, no starter motor.

No 'mooo' from the fuel pump.


A very, very quiet farty rasp from somewhere in the engine bay, and that's it.

[Neptune26]

Oh right - well I don't even get that!! :-( I am now attacking the immobiliser. All fingers crossed!!

[jaykaybi]

Turning the key doesn't start the starter motor........
Wait! I'm confusing myself, yes I think the starter motor does still turn.
I've installed a starter button and it's just confused my recollection. Hmmm.



Good luck mate, sorry my fix wasn't the right one!

Edited by jaykaybi on Wednesday 14th June 14:43