Tuscan won't start! 10000 mile to nearest dealer!

[onny]

I've just imported my car to Australia so getting it to a dealer or specialist is not going to happen short of another long boat trip.

I'm still in the UK at the moment and I was just getting my brother in Oz to give it a good clean and other bits and pieces sort after it was delivered from the docks.

He is having problem with starting the car. when he turned the ignition to on and press the alarm button on the key there is no display on the dash, not fuel pump noise and there's not ignition. However, he did noticed the side lights flashes like the alarm has been set / unset, I've never notice the side lights flashing before when I start the car.

The battery is fully charged and the car has had no problem starting at all since it's been off the ship. It was started only yesterday when it was taken off the flat tray truck when it was delivered to my brother's place.

Is it a problem with the immobiliser or could it be just a broken fuse or could it be something a bit more serious?

Anyone else had this problem and what was the solution.

Thanks
Onny.

[tuscandom]

have you checked the battery in the key,might need replacing.

[satman]

onny said:

when he turned the ignition to on and press the alarm button on the key there is no display on the dash,

Button on fob needs to be pushed before turning ignition on, so this is maybe reason for no dash display/not starting...also he could try inserting the 'fob' bit into the slot to left of consol, next to where red flashing alarm light is. This should produce a green light momentarily, then he can put key in ignition to start....

[K3EFH]

Try taking fuse 29 out and back in again, sometimes if the battery dies or fades the alarm cuts in and won't disarm even with the key. Had to do this with my old Tuscan. Fuse box is under steering wheel, pain to get to but you will need a torch and feline like flexibility!

[onny]

Hi Guys,

Got my brother to try the immobiliser fob and still no joy. He also removed and check fuse 27/28/29 and that still doesn't work.

Had extra information from him. The problem all started when he managed to start the car the other day but it stalled on him, he then tried re-starting it but nothing happened because there was no display on the Pod and the fuel pump won't prime again.

I don't think its a flat battery on the key and every other electrons works including the alarm as he can lock and unlock the doors with the key alarm button and the siren will sound as well. He has also disconnected the car battery but still no luck.

I've read somewhere that you can reset the immobiliser by pressing and holding down the key for 20 seconds, is this true?

Just a quick question also as I haven't driven the Tuscan for over 3 months, if the immobiliser is not disable, if you insert and turn the key will there be any display on the pod? or will it only come on when the immobiliser is is un-armed.

I'm assuming its a problem with the immobiliser but any other suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Onny.

Edited by onny on Wednesday 19th September 03:47

[andyoleary]

Onny - the pod display will still work fine with the immobiliser armed. The battery lamp will be lit (red) but the oil lamp on the right side of the battery lamp will stay un-lit until the immobiliser is dis-armed. That's on a MKI dash pod anyway.

Andy

[tuscan't]

Not sure about the lights, dash etc. But the other thing worth checking is that the fuel cut off switch hasn't popped.

In the top section of the boot i.e. the bit where it starts to curve in towards the rear screen there's a velcro'd flap (covered in the same carpet as the rest of the boot).

If you lift the flap there's a black rubber switch. Press it in to restore the fuel pump to life.

Might work. I once spent a very frustrating hour on a French car park wondering why I had a dead Tuscan until a friend asked 'what does this switch do?'

[anonymous-user]

Is it a Mk2? There is a small silver key hidden away beneath the dash which is the secondary immobiliser. When this is anything other than in the exactly correct position it will not allow the car to start up.

[onny]

Thanks everyone.

My brother finally managed to go through all the fuses and it turned out that fuse #12 the ignition switch was the one responsible. Sods law it was one of the last one he looked at, replaced and everything works.

Now I'll have to get it complied to Australian rules when I get back. I suspect that the exhaust noise level will be too high even if the standard cans.