Help needed - No start

[sweeper]

Hi chaps,
I have had a strange thing this morning... maybe you could lighten me up a bit...?

Starting point being: Car unlocked, disarmed, red immobiliser lamp flashing (as usual for me)

Normally I push the keyfob button to turn off the immobiliser, then the red lamp stops flashing and stays on for a while. This is the time where I usually push the black starter button and the engine fires.

This time something is different though:
I push the keyfob button to turn off immobiliser, the red immobiliser lamp stops flashing, lights up for 2 seconds and turns off again (no flashing anymore either). Pushing the black starter button has no effect other than turning the ignition on and fuel pump priming, as if the immobiliser is still on?

Plus, something I have not really taken notice of, there is a small black button below the cigarette ligher (see pic). When I lock the car this button flashes green, and turns off when unlocking the car. Is this normal? What is that button for? Usually I have the car unlocked in my garage, so I have no clue if that is the standard behaviour of this button



Thanks for any advice!!

[Robscim]

I'm no expert but...

That button is to lock the outside buttons so that no-one can get in when you're stuck in traffic in town. General consensus is not to touch it!!

Have you tried putting the alarm fob into the slot in the dash? This will manually deactivate the immobiliser.

Strange, as mine has just stopped doing this, hence I've been speaking to Carl Baker to sort - seems a top chap. However, I see you're in Germany, so it's easier for me to drop in to see him!!

Let us know how you get on with the manual route.

Cheers

Rob

[Tanguero]

The black button below the ash tray is the "central locking" button. It disables the external door buttons when pressed. I believe it is meant to flash when activated though mine seems to be fairly random as to when it does and doesn't flash. It shouldn't however have any bearing on your starting issue.

Do you get any clicking from the starter solenoid?

[sweeper]

Tanguero said:

Do you get any clicking from the starter solenoid?

Yes. All seems as usual (as far as I can tell), except for the engine not firing up-

[sweeper]

Robscim said:

Have you tried putting the alarm fob into the slot in the dash? This will manually deactivate the immobiliser.

The USB style immobiliser key got lost unfortunately.

Is there a chance to get a replacement btw?

[pmessling]

If you are getting a clicking from the starter might be your battery, can you test it see what voltage you have.

[sweeper]

Great... I am in the office, of course no voltmeter with me.

Didn't think of the battery, as the car was hooked up to the Accumate all night. Anyway, at least I have got an idea what to look for. Thanks Peter.

Edited by sweeper on Tuesday 10th May 12:38

[Tanguero]

sweeper said:

Tanguero said:

Do you get any clicking from the starter solenoid?

Yes. All seems as usual (as far as I can tell), except for the engine not firing up-

Look in the "Starting problems continued" thread for some suggestions.

[Robscim]

sweeper said:

The USB style immobiliser key got lost unfortunately.

Is there a chance to get a replacement btw?

That's really not good!

I'd drop Carl Baker a line - he's on holiday at the moment but answering e-mails and making phone calls. If anyone can, he can!

Shout if you need his details.

Rob

[sweeper]

Found Carls details in another thread. I'll give it a try for the immobiliser override key...

But first I need to find out where to get jump leads if I don't want to walk home today

[pmessling]

If your near any hills or some people about they can always push start you or a tow start if needs be. i had to the other week with my starting problems

[Gazzab]

Could be the battery, if its past its best then an accumate wont be that effective maybe?
Could it be the big fuse? If your battery has lost charge due to big fuse then it might have the voltage to allow door opening etc but not cranking.

[spongy]

Sorry for the removal, bit contentious I've been informed by those in the know.

Edited by Big Al. on Tuesday 10th May 19:34

[bobbins]

Gotta be battery or immobiliser. Firstly get the slam panel off and check your battery connections are as they should be, and nice and tight.

[sweeper]

Thanks for all the good replies, really appreciated.

Battery is definitely beyond its best times, that is for sure now... However jumpstarting didn't help solving the problem, so I'll try to bypass the immobiliser as per spongy's idea tomorrow (colleague gave me a lift home so I had to leave the car at the office).

As of the big fuse.... if knackered, would it stop the car firing up? I checked the fusebox, but apparently I have missed out this one...

Cheers folks!

[high52kojak]

Speak to Carl Baker before bypassing the immobiliser. It immobilises in three ways, fuel pump, ecu and I think injectors?
I think all the wires are black coming out of the immobiliser so you need to know which ones to bypass.

[sweeper]

Thanks guys for guiding me, it was the immobiliser indeed. Car is running again!

[Gazzab]

I had this problem on my 2nd Cerb once. I was in Le Mans, moved the car 0 meters to near a hosepipe and was washing off the crud. Went to start it and had the same symptomns. Andy at APM and Karl helped me over the phone on a Sunday morning to bypass the immobiliser. When I got home I undid the bypass and the car never did it again.

[spongy]

spongy said:

Sorry for the removal, bit contentious I've been informed by those in the know.

Edited by Big Al. on Tuesday 10th May 19:34

Sorry Al