Engine starting problems

[dave99]

ok, as I mentioned in somebody elses thread I am having problems starting - seems a different problem so starting my own thread

The engine turns over and seems to start but then cuts out after a couple of seconds. Even adding more power doesnt help it stay alive. I found my vagcom and read off the fault codes and it just had this rather incriminating one:

17978 - Engine Start Blocked by Immobilizer
P1570 - 35- 10 --- Intermittent

Any ideas whats wrong here? Could it be something to do with the key or the imobilizer unit itself? It wouldnt let me pull any fault codes out of the immobilizer module.

 

[cheshire cat]

assuming your key has had no damage, I would think the first thing to check is the aerial wiring under the steering column shroud

 

[dave99]

no damage I can see to the key so I might try and check out the wiring. Might also try using the spare key (which doesnt have a remote in it)

 

[dave99]

just back from holiday so not had chance to dismantle anything yet - still having problems though. It seems quite random though, took a couple of attempts at the airport yesterday to get going, other times it goes straight away, and earlier today took me 10 minutes of key in/out to get the immobiliser light to stay off and the engine to start. Both keys have the same problem so guess it isnt key related.

 

[dave99]

dealer reckons it is the key reader coil that is screwed - my options are wait 6 weeks for a new assembly to be made in spain and put up with having to wait up to 20 mins to start the engine in the mean time, or have a different assembly installed tomorrow that means I will need to have one key to open the doors and a different key to start the engine (forever!) - hardly good solutions!

I asked if they could put a new unit in temporarily while a new assembly is made to match my key then swap it when it arrives but cant do that as I would have to pay for both parts!

 

[cheshire cat]

the other option is to have the immobiliser bypassed in the ECU, but the insurance wouldnt like it (if they knew) there is a specialist at Alfreton in Derby if your interested best of luck

 

[dave99]

the other option is to have the immobiliser bypassed in the ECU, but the insurance wouldnt like it (if they knew) there is a specialist at Alfreton in Derby if your interested best of luck

I did ask if that was an option but they said it couldnt be done! (Is it something that can be done with vagcom - I guess not?)

 

[cheshire cat]

I don't know about vag com I guess you would need to e-mail Uwe Ross (they are helpfull) if so I recon we'd all like to know!!! You could also call Allcar Electronics at Alfreton and ask I'm sure it can be done for little cost their no' is 01773/830895, keep us posted cheers Nic

 

[dave99]

I spoke to the garage earlier and they are attempting to split the new unit and put my existing key barrel into it - see if they have any luck with that first

 

[dave99]

update - garage called today to say the car was ready, they put in a temporary replacement key barrel while a new one is made to fit my key, that was acceptable to me. Started fine at the garage, tried to start it at home later on and it wont start at all now, even after 30 minutes of trying so its worse than before and am 170 quid worse off and my evening is screwed as I cannot go where I was intending