Ignition Problems?

[v8griff]

Gents,

Looking for some help....my otherwise well behaved Griffith developed a starting problem last weekend.

Took it out for a spin, parked it up, 5 mins later it wouldn't start at all. Battery is fine (lights, central locking all operating) but here's the thing, I get nothing when trying the ignition key, no lights on the dash, no relays working, nothing at all to suggest the key is in the ignition.

So, I'm thinking the fault is with the ignition? or could it be the immobilizer causing problems?

Help!!

Edited by v8griff on Friday 5th July 15:06

[SteveSPG]

could be either,

sometimes, if the fob on the key isnt close enough, it wont trigger the immobiliser pickup which is inside the cowling.... so i need to wave the keys a bit to make that work

it does sound a bit like a iffy connection on the ignition key mechanism though easy enough to whip the connectors off and check

[Colin RedGriff]

If you've got no lights on the dash then I would suspect something is wrong with the ignition switch/circuit.

Immobiliser doesn't isolate those circuits only the starter and fuel pump.

[rigga]

Mine does the same intermittently and has done for a while now, if I arm and disarm the alarm (toad system so not original meta ) the ignition lights come on,but there is always a slight delay and it starts, I've replaced the ignition switch, which is a cheap Vauxhall item, and the two fly relays by the ecu that I believe control the ignition or at least feed to the ecu and the fuel pump as they were original items ,still the same so interested in what you find
It's not left me stranded as yet

Arming and disarming the alarm leads me to think it's that.

Edited by rigga on Friday 5th July 20:10

[v8griff]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

My alarm is the original factory Gemini item, but I suspect it is the ignition causing the problem.

I'll have a better look at it this weekend.

Thanks again, cheers Mark.

[v8griff]

Spent several hours at the weekend and got nowhere.

Fuses checked ok, removed steering cowling, no loose wires.

Bearing in mind the symptoms, my last guess is a faulty relay. My car had a replacement fuse/relay board fitted by Mole Valley many moons ago, so the diagram contained within the owners manual bears little resemblance to the one which is fitted.

Anyone know which relay controls ignition? rating or colour?

Grasping at straws, may be a call to an auto electrician soon....and I'm missing all this glorious weather.

[EGB]

Blue socket and Bosch relay is for Fuel Pump. Black socket and relay is for ignition and ECU on my Griff 1999, 500. Check relays are clicking when + & - spades are connected to 12 volt battery.

[rigga]

I'm wondering if a dodgy ecu could cause this problem?

[EGB]

Any satifactory conclusion Mark. Thanks.

[v8griff]

Yep, pleased to say it was a relatively easy fix.

I've had experience of relay problems in the past and had a gut feeling it wasn't that. Checked every single fuse, some of which proved to be a bugger to remove, the second last fuse from the left was blown.

So gentlemen, if your ignition is dead, look out for a 15A fuse!

Thanks for the help and suggestions chaps.

[FlipFlopGriff]

Maybe time to get some of these:
(the automatic indicating glow fuses)
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinest...
Ideal for spotting a blown fuse on our ridiculously placed fuse box.
FFG

[rigga]

Glad you have sorted it, but not my issue then as its intermittent on my car and not a fuse issue (unless its like no other fuse I've ever seen)

[EGB]

Glad you found a blown fuse. But, but, why did it blow? A short somewhere!

[v8griff]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Maybe time to get some of these:
(the automatic indicating glow fuses)
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinest...
Ideal for spotting a blown fuse on our ridiculously placed fuse box.
FFG

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best

[v8griff]

EGB said:

Glad you found a blown fuse. But, but, why did it blow? A short somewhere!

It would suggest a short, but touch wood I've had no problems since. Old cars can do strange things.......I'm hoping it was nothing more than a one off (now carrying a full suite of spares :-))

[tivver500]

Automotive fuses do (like me) get old and occasionally fail with no apparent reason......
Indicating fuses are a good idea (but a bit pricey to change the lot) but you can get a simple fuse tester which works with the fuse in circuit. Most fuses have a small exposed contact area on each (electrical) 'side' of the fuse and the tester presses against these and gives good or failed indication. Much easier than having to take each one out!!

[FlipFlopGriff]

tivver500 said:

Automotive fuses do (like me) get old and occasionally fail with no apparent reason......
Indicating fuses are a good idea (but a bit pricey to change the lot) but you can get a simple fuse tester which works with the fuse in circuit. Most fuses have a small exposed contact area on each (electrical) 'side' of the fuse and the tester presses against these and gives good or failed indication. Much easier than having to take each one out!!

But a bh to do in a Griff footwell.
FFG