Problems Starting

[Guest sgs]

I have a '95 2.0Ltr 8 valve galaxy. About 4 weeks ago I had a problem starting the car, this was after I'd had the key in the ignition for about 5 minutes (without the ignition turned on). The car then would not start after this. It would crank at a good cranking speed and there was no strong smell of fuel from the exhaust tail pipe even after an excessive amount of cranking. My thoughts were that the immobiliser was at fault. So taxi home and tools in hand back to the car, tried the car and it started first time. For a couple of weeks no problems until the wife goes out but stops because she forgot something, turns the engine off and jumps out leaving the key in ignition. 2 minutes later on return to the car it would not start. Tried master key and my key and nothing. Left it for about 10 minutes and it started first time. Since then it has happened once, same as before, left key in ignition for a couple of minutes and no go. Locked the car had a cup of tea gone back after 10 minutes or so and off we go.

This is a pain as the wife uses the car for going about with the baby and she can easily forget things, like leaving the key in the ignition. Although I have yet to prove that leaving the key in the ignition is the cause. I do have some very large dessicant packs around the mondule under the seat that controls the locks, ect. These do remove the moisture very well so I don't think dampness is the problem.

I have tried all the keys including the red master and this makes no difference.

On past threads about simular problems I've noticed talk of a Relay (No 30), can anyone tell me more about this relay and it function or has anyone had this problem and cured it and would like to let me know how they did this.

Regards Steve.

[Guest MATT]

i think this might be the immobiliser, If you just put the key in and start, does it start up first time?

 

when you put the key in and 'turn' it disables the immobiliser, then if you don't start the engine, within a set time, the immobiliser comes back on. that's what it is like on a mates 'fiat weekend' and his father doesn't have a clue on how to work it - he will get in the car, and sure enough the alarm will go off. with his, if you get back out, and lock the car, unlock the car, lock it again, and then unlock, and get back in, it will start - other wise you have to wait a set period of time, before you can carry on.

 

matt

[Guest sgs]

Yea Matt put the key in and turn it starts straight away, put the key in and don't turn or turn it just to position 1 or 2 on the ignition, (not engaging the starter) and leave for 20 /30 secs, engine is immobilied.

I am hoping for infomation on this relay lots of people are talking about. If I can find out what its purpose is then I know wheather to try a new relay or bite the bullet and fork out to Ford for a new module and reprograming.

Heres hoping.

[Guest MATT]

i think this is normal - to stop thieves nicking the car at petrol stations when you leave the key in,

 

as for the relay, ime not sure what it is for exactly

 

matt

[faded-fish]

I believe relay 30 is something to do with the fuel pump - I can't be ceratin though as the fuse and relay details in the owners manual I bought bear no resemblance to the actual fuse and relay locations. Anybody got an early (ie 95) galaxy owners manual they can photocopy the fuse and relay details from? (scanned would be fine too!!!)

[Ivor_E_Tower]

sgs - next time this happens, try getting out and locking the car, unlocking, locking and unlocking again. Then see if it starts OK.