Non-starter

[firewallguy]

Hi All,

Took my Cerb off the trickle charger this morning, went to start it and absolutely nothing from the black button, no fuel-pump, no starter motor, I don't even recall seeing any ignition lights.

So what's the likely cause?
1) Battery (doors and windows work)
2) Immobilizer (although starter is bypassed afaik)
3) Silver key (no I haven't touched it)
4) Big fuse (probably showing my ignorance here, but it gets mentioned a lot)

As I had to leave for work I haven't checked fuses, relays etc yet.

Really gutted because it spent all of June in a garage for a service, valve clearances etc and have only used it briefly since then but looks like it may be off the road for a while longer.

[wiggycerb]

It sounds like the imobiliser, on mine i have to dab the fob until the light stays on and then buzzer fuel pump etc all wake up.

Have you tried setting the alarm so that everything locks up and then try again ?

[Tanguero]

If the starter circuit is already bypassed then the immmobiliser failing shouldnt stop that from working. I would check the silver key hasn't had its wires drop off the back of it as they are prone to do.

[Byker28i]

Silly question, have you got power? Can you turn the headlights on?

[fr0zent0ast]

Tanguero said:

If the starter circuit is already bypassed then the immmobiliser failing shouldnt stop that from working. I would check the silver key hasn't had its wires drop off the back of it as they are prone to do.

Has anyone replaced the silver key for a toggle switch?

[firewallguy]

Byker28i said:

Silly question, have you got power? Can you turn the headlights on?

It had power to open doors, drop windows etc.
Tried arming and disarming the alarm a couple of times to no avail.
Will investigate further tonight.

[TimJM]

As I understand it the symptoms are unlock, get in (windows do drop and car has a charged battery), press black button and nothing. As if black button hadn't been pressed so no mil light, start beep - just nothing.

I think this this will be one of three things:

1. The black button has failed and doesn't work anymore.
2. The silver key has vibrated into an off position or been knocked or something.
3. The immobilizer has totally failed.

Have you tried putting the manual immobilizer override key into the slot to disarm manually?

[Tanguero]

fr0zent0ast said:

Tanguero said:

If the starter circuit is already bypassed then the immmobiliser failing shouldnt stop that from working. I would check the silver key hasn't had its wires drop off the back of it as they are prone to do.

Has anyone replaced the silver key for a toggle switch?

I replaced mine with a higher quality key switch that is properly fixed and won't turn round. I turned it on and took the key out and haven't used it since!

[Byker28i]

TimJM said:

As I understand it the symptoms are unlock, get in (windows do drop and car has a charged battery), press black button and nothing. As if black button hadn't been pressed so no mil light, start beep - just nothing.

I think this this will be one of three things:

1. The black button has failed and doesn't work anymore.
2. The silver key has vibrated into an off position or been knocked or something.
3. The immobilizer has totally failed.

Have you tried putting the manual immobilizer override key into the slot to disarm manually?

When I had my imobiliser issues, I could turn on the power by pressing the black button. The imobiliser wouldn't let the fuel pump power or the starter turn, rest worked ok.

Silver key on the other had would disable the circuits. I'd check that first

[firewallguy]

Byker28i said:

When I had my imobiliser issues, I could turn on the power by pressing the black button. The imobiliser wouldn't let the fuel pump power or the starter turn, rest worked ok.

Silver key on the other had would disable the circuits. I'd check that first

You know, thinking back, the last thing I did in the car was plug an electric pump into the cigarette lighter to blow up my kid's bike tyres, and the what's the cigarette lighter right next to...

[Thunderroad]

If that isn't the problem, is it possible that it could be just your battery in the key fob?
Just a thought.

[firewallguy]

...Silver Key!!!!

Cheers all, didn't realize how easily it turned in the barrel.
Missed out on a day's drive to work for no reason, grrr.

[TimJM]

firewallguy said:

...Silver Key!!!!

Cheers all, didn't realize how easily it turned in the barrel.
Missed out on a day's drive to work for no reason, grrr.

We've all been there.

[Byker28i]

There we go. Lesson learnt.

Silver key cuts all power to the ignition so you press the button and no ignition lights.
Immobiliser fault, generally, you get the ignition lights but no power to the fuel pump or starter. My led continued flashing indicating the system was armed.

[jsfstu]

My 4.2 FUGLY had the same problem , over time the key receiver will pull either the earth or the feed off simply because it is only held in place by a small stem nut and turns slightly. I got my people to remove the silver key for a toggle and retain the dongle style immobiliser socket. Never had a problem again. It will do it time and again until you retro fix it.

[Byker28i]

I've had mine 8 years now, only time I'e had an issue was when a 'specialist' turned the key, removed it and didn't tell me, handing me back the car like that (without the key).