Chimaera immobiliser problem

[dmjazzer]

Does anyone know anything about the immobiliser system on a '97 Chimaera? Mine decides to kick in on a random basis when attempting to re-start when the engine is at full operating temp.I've tried everything suggested e.g. inserting the little plastic dongle thingy on the key ring into the corresponding slot under the ignition switch, but the only thing that seems to work is leaving it for about 40 mins after which time she fires up o.k. This might suggest a heat-related problem. Has anyone out there had a similar experience or got any ideas?

[zippee]

Give Carl a call - [url]www.tvruk.tv[/url]

[full_chat]

Had this problem on mine which was only occasional (once every few months) to begin with, but got so bad I was having to hot wire the car wherever I went, doesn't look good when you have to do that after filling up with petrol..

Anyway, Carl Baker diagnosed a faulty immobiliser, replaced it and not a problem since. Definately speak to Carl before you do anything else.

Chris

[Cider Andy]

What are the exact symptoms? There is another problem, called the 'hot start problem', where the solenoid doesn't operate on the starter until the engine's cooled down a bit. Are you sure it's not that? There's an easy way to tell: the fuel pump will run for a couple of seconds when you switch the ignition on. If the immobiliser really is on when you try to restart the engine the fuel pump won't run when you switch the ignition on.

[dmjazzer]

Many thanks to all who responded. Yep, it does sound as if the solenoid could be the problem, as the fuel pump comes on every time.I'll give Carl a call and see what he suggests.D.M.

[steven.collett]

I have a similar problem. After stopping, on a couple of occaisions this week the car wouldn't start again for about 30-40 minutes. I assumed that it was immobiliser related but the override switch didn't work either. The hot-start problem sounds like a fair diagnosis however I'll apologise now in advance of what I'm sure is a really stupid question, but how can you tell if the fuel pump is running initially?

[Cider Andy]

The fuel pump's mounted under the floor near the back axle, nearside. You should most definitely hear it whine for a few seconds when you switch the ignition on. Once the car's started, it runs continuously but is much harder to hear, because of the engine!

There'll be quite a few threads on here about the hot start problem - use the search facility to find them. Also there's a guy who posts on here, David Beer of Modwise, who supplies an inexpensive kit to work around the problem. I haven't used it, but there's quite a few on here who are happy with it.