Strange Starting Problem

[angus99]

Apologies for another ‘Car won’t Start thread’ but this one seems a bit strange

Tried to start the car on Sunday, Ignition came on as normal and fuel pump primed. However, when I turned the Key, I got the initial noise of the starter motor engaging and then everything went dead, no dash lights or anything.

After checking the forum, I eventually managed to get power back by giving the dash a ‘thump’ just above the heater controls. Reset the alarm from the key fob and tried to start again, but the same thing happened.

I did have a similar problem a few moths ago but the next day the car started up and has been fine ever since. This time i've not been able to get it started after a few attempts yesterday and this morning.

Seems like there's a bad connection somewhere or could it be an immobiliser problem. Any ideas ?

[EGB]

If its a META imobiliser, it could be the problem. Do you have the emergency start fob which fits in a slot near the ignition key. However, it does seem to be a loose electrical connection somewhere.

[Colin RedGriff]

It sounds like your battery has died. If you loose all the electrics on the dash they are not controlled by the immobiliser

[angus99]

Unfortunately due to work commitments, a couple of weekends away and the crap weather, I haven't had much chance to have another look at the car until yesterday. Battery has been on charge so is now fully charged.

Tried to start and had same problem as before, the fuel pump initially primed (although seemed to be intermittent, as though it was clicking on and off)then when I turned the key everthing wnet dead i.e. no dash lights or power.

I tried giving the dash a thump as before but this time I couldn't get power back, the dash lights came on briefly and then went off again. Tried a few more times but same result. I now think this must be a bad connection behind the dash or an imobbiliser problem, although I’m no export on car electrics.

I guess the next step is to have a look at the alarm / immobiliser myself in the hope that it is just a loose connection that can be easily reconnected. Can this be accessed though the glove box area or will I have to remove the dash top?

Before I remove the dash top, which I’m told is a PITA job, does anyone have any other suggestions as to what the problem could be?

Edited by angus99 on Monday 11th July 09:47

[Cider Andy]

angus99 said:

...when I turned the key everthing wnet dead i.e. no dash lights or power.

Colin RedGriff said:

It sounds like your battery has died. If you loose all the electrics on the dash they are not controlled by the immobiliser

Your symptoms do not point to an immobiliser fault (see the answer above). Start by checking the connections to the battery itself. Have you had the battery tested?

[FlipFlopGriff]

Check the terminals on the battery are tight, Mine did as you say when the earth was a bit loose and everything just went.
FFG

[spend]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Check the terminals on the battery are tight, Mine did as you say when the earth was a bit loose and everything just went.
FFG

In case that's not what you meant by 'the earth' the main ground from the battery under the trans tunnel cover can have a similar effect to loose / corroded battery terminals, just a bigger pig to get to

[FlipFlopGriff]

spend said:

In case that's not what you meant by 'the earth' the main ground from the battery under the trans tunnel cover can have a similar effect to loose / corroded battery terminals, just a bigger pig to get to

No, mine was just the battery terminal a bit loose (luckily as I've got enough other problems) but seemed to cure the dying scanario. Hopefully all good for the time being.
FFG

[angus99]

Partial Success

working from home this afternoon so decided to give it another try before removing the dash top. Disconnected the battery and reconnected but car was still dead with no dash lights. Then gave the dash a thump as before and the alarm came on at full volume (on previous attempts the alarm has sounded week) reset the alarm and the car started first time.

Clearly still have a problem somewhere (loose connection or immobiliser problem?) but at least its running. Will go for a spin later and see how it goes.

[spend]

When it happens again, see if you have courtesy lights still working, it would be unusual to protect the ignition (dash instruments etc included) but has been known.