Immobiliser issue (I think)

[tvrgit]

Had two problems recently - on Friday I stopped for petrol, then got half a mile up the road and the car almost stopped - I only just kept it going, I thought I had put diesel in or something. Not an electrical "everything stopped" feeling - more a stuttering "out-of-fuel" slowing. Then it cleared and it was fine.

Until yesterday afternoon - it started, but faltered and died after a few seconds. When I switched on, I couldn't hear the pump priming. All warning lights were on, etc, it turned over but wouldn't start, no fuel smell from exhaust. Checked with a meter - no supply to pump. Waggled connectors, cleaned off some crud, nothing that could be described as a constructive repair, then decided to try to see if there was a live feed while the starter was turning - switched off, switched on again, pressed keyfob button, pump primes and this time it starts...

Then I noticed that the fob button was broken, and was sticking in, so wondered if the immobiliser was maybe partly activating - so I took the fob to bits and fixed that - and the car has been fine yesterday and today (about 160 miles total)

So 2 questions -

1 - does this sound like an immobiliser issue? and

2 - where is the immobiliser unit (appreciate that you might prefer to PM this bit rather than post on open forum) - I just want to check the wiring in case I need to bypass any in emergency!

Sorry should have said - 98 4.2

Thanks

[shoggyraminator]

YHM re Q2

[tvrgit]

Thanks mate!

(christ there's a lot of unmarked wire in there - obviously deliberately designed to be confusing to would be car-nickers, but not very helpful to owners!)

Edited by tvrgit on Monday 5th July 11:31

[Byker28i]

GrahamN had a similar problem. His car would run for about a mile then stop and die, then start again 10 mins later. He had his immobiliser replaced.

[vroom]

Check the connector on the fuel pump. They are sometimes push on spade connectors.

Mine worked loose on my old Chim causing intermittent issues as you describe.

Nick

Edited by vroom on Monday 5th July 09:46

[tvrgit]

Byker28i said:

GrahamN had a similar problem. His car would run for about a mile then stop and die, then start again 10 mins later. He had his immobiliser replaced.

Hmm I was speaking to another owner yesterday who had a similar problem. He sometimes has to re-lock and open the car and the pump starts then... so it would seem to be not unknown then.

vroom said:

Check the connector on the fuel pump. They are sometimes push on spade connectors.

Mine worked loose on my old Chim causing intermittent issues as you describe.

Nick

Did that - connection is an eyelet, and seems tight (but corroded) - but when I tested it, there was no supply to the connector, so I don't think it's a problem at the pump itself. Good advice though, I think I'll clean up or replace the connectors anyway. Then I'll have to see if it does it again, to test more closely!