Won't Start Sometimes

[Guest Bigboy]

Hi Everybody

Hope someone has the anwser for us.

When you go to start the car sometimes it starts fine, mostly it does. But then the other times you turn the key and the lights on the dash come on, no turning from starter, no start. try again, maybe start, maybe not, you might be there for 5 mins trying.

It will start eventually.

Any sugestions?

 

CiarAN

[seatkid]

Hasn't there been a similar thread a few days ago?

 

try parking switch, ignition switch, immobiliser, battery,starter motor/solenoid, battery/motor leads, relays 30 thru 160, rear offside brake light,....

 

just kidding about that last one .... B)

[Guest MATT]

you missed out the "spin clockwise three times, and hop on one leg, then moon walk round the car" it works every time B)

 

MATT :huh:

[bigdaddy]

Big boy have you got it fixed yet,,,,,,what was wrong

[sip]

It's an auto, so try the starter inhibitor switch. They wear out over time and you don't have to buy a new one as they can be repaired (I'll post photos one of these days), hopefully!

[stairforce]

Hi Everybody

Hope someone has the anwser for us.

When you go to start the car sometimes it starts fine, mostly it does. But then the other times you turn the key and the lights on the dash come on, no turning from starter, no start. try again, maybe start, maybe not, you might be there for 5 mins trying.

It will start eventually.

Any sugestions?

 

CiarAN

Mine started doing that on Saturday afternoon. Called the AA out, cos although we were halfway up a steep rise, I don't think you can bump-start an auto...

 

The AA man established that no signal was getting to the solenoid, but it was OK as far as the auto box inhibitor. He figured it wasn't going to be a quick fix, so rigged a wire from the auto box inhibitor switch to the solenoid via a spring-loaded switch. We turn on the ignition, flick the switch briefly and it starts. The other thing is that the auto box has gone into its emergency program and goes everywhere in 3rd gear. (We can manually select 1st and 2nd.)

 

I am a bit distressed about all of this as I have only had it 3 weeks, and have just spent

[Steven.Langdale]

Thats bad news!

 

My current Gal is the 1st auto I've had, and whilst I love the auto - the thought of it breaking does worry me.

 

You could do a lot worse than getting someone to connect it to their laptop and VAG-COM to see what the autobox thinks is wrong.

 

I'd be happy to oblige if needed, and I'm sure there are plenty of others here as well who would too. Where abouts are you.

 

Steven

[Guest Bigboy]

She is still bust,

I had an email from this nice chap, it reads:

 

I have the problem you describe but mine relates to the immobiliser. Does your red LED on the drivers door flash rapidly or stay on constant when the car won't start? If it flashes rapidly it is a key recognition problem. The system is having problems checking it is the correct key.

 

My vehicle is a new shape variant 2001 petrol/LPG, idont know if the older shape has an immobiliser LED on the door.

 

email ends

 

 

Yes me light does flash on the door.

We do have 2 keys for the car so we will have to do a test with the keys

 

Cheers

Bigboy

 

 

 

Ps. i tried running around the car 56 times and smashed the rear indicator but still no change, hehe

[Guest Bigboy]

we are using the main key for the car now, well for the last few days anyways.

No problems at moment, starts all the time first time.

 

Will keep you updated with progress

 

Any coments still welcome

[Steven.Langdale]

Bigboy

 

Is the gearbox still in limp home mode or did you fix that?

 

Steven

[Guest Bigboy]

that was somedody else

My gearbox is fine

[stairforce]

Steve, the limp-home gearbox is mine - and yes it still is like that. Arden Garages had it for 2 days last week, and managed to fix the starting problem (inhibitor switch at the base of the auto selector lever) but not the limp-home mode. Said it was reporting faults on 2 sensors (didn't tell me which ones, despite asking in writing for the codes and what they mean). ;)

 

Someone on here told me they had a problem with chafed wiring to the auto box where it runs under the starter motor. The starter motor has to come out to fix, but someone else said that there are 3 sensors in the auto gearbox , and only 1 can be changed with the box in situ. :(

 

If it turns out to be damaged wiring, will fixing it fix the problem? Or do the faults have to be cleared via the diagnostic plug before it will play again? :(

 

Re: your question of 7th Dec, we are in Stratford-upon-Avon.

[Steven.Langdale]

Stairforce

 

Ahh yes, it was you wasn't it....

 

Had the same problem with my inhibitor switch, but as i'm tight fisted - I fixed it myself.

 

It may be worth your while getting a cheap cabe off ebay and the shareware version of VAG-COM. That will allow you to read and reset gearbox fault codes.

 

There is a guy on ebay who sells the cheap ones called alpha-bid. Thats where I got mine.

 

If it's still stuck in 3rd after they reset the faults, they must be back again for you to read.

 

That is unless there is anyone near Stratford-upon-Avon who is willing to assist you..

 

Steven

[stairforce]

Thanks, Steve.

 

I ordered the cable from alpha-bid last night. :o

Beginning to wonder why Ford don't just have done with it and ship the cable, the software and the CD we're not allowed to mention WITH the car in the first place :o

 

Merry Christmas to all the people who read the drivel I write on here :(

Wishing you all happy, cheap and reliable motoring in 2006.

[Guest Bigboy]

Merry Christmas to you too.

 

I have been running tests, on the starting sometimes issue.

The results are that we still have the problem.

The problem happens with both keys. When its not going to start the imobilizer light flashes on the drivers door.

If you get out and open then close the boot it will start on the second try.

 

Very interesting.

Anyone with this problem? or anyone shed any light on this for us please?

 

 

Ciaran :o