intermittent immobiliser fault

[snafu]

Hi all

My MY03 1.8T Cupra is getting a bit old, it's done nearly 160K now. But what a car, I don't want to have to get rid of it.

I have had problems with the immobiliser for ages. Sometimes the car flashes the immobiliser light and will only start for 1 second, then the engine stops. I have read on here that it is difficult to find where the problem is, might be solder connections, a problem on the dashboard etc. If it's playing up, which happens maybe 25% of the time, to get the car to start my approach is to bash the dashboard a few times which usually works.

Yesterday my home cure didn't work so well but it did in the end after extra bashing on the dash and around the steering column. I'm worried that the car's going to refuse to start and I'm going to get stuck at work or somewhere.

Is there anything I can do, or any suggestions that won't cost me £100s?

Hope you can help - if I can fix this I'm hoping to hit the 200K eventually!

Cheers
John

 

[cass]

my approach is to bash the dashboard a few times which usually works.

Made my morning mate

It could be that you need a new key? I know a few other people had intermittent starting and cut out problems and they solved it by buying a new key, getting it cut running it down to a seat dealer and having it programmed.

If its the immobiliser chip in the key its easy, if its the immobiliser chip in the car or a wiring issue, It could be a right pain.

 

[snafu]

The same problem happens with the spare key too, should have said that. As twatting the dashboard one seems to work (up until now) it has seemed to me like a dodgy connection somewhere

 

[cass]

hmm. It's inevitable that twatting the dashboard will eventually stop working when the wiring connection or chip (if that's what it is) is twatted into oblivion. I would get the dash off and look for any suspect wiring. I'm sure someone on here can tell you where to look

 

[snafu]

I'm a bit worried about doing that, I've always been a lot better at taking things apart than putting them back together. But I'll give it a go if someone can give me some idiot's guide style instructions.

 

[Transtellar]

Iv been twatting the dashboard for the last 2 year, sometimes it goes months without doing it and then sometimes its only days!!

Iv had the dash to pieces and the clocks out but to no avail.

When hitting it stops working ill fix it!

 

[snafu]

Iv been twatting the dashboard for the last 2 year, sometimes it goes months without doing it and then sometimes its only days!!

Iv had the dash to pieces and the clocks out but to no avail.

When hitting it stops working ill fix it!

Hey Transtellar that is exactly the same pattern as my car, sometimes it's fine. I just reckon it's going to finally refuse to start and I'll be beating it up like Basil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers

 

[LEE69]

Set of clocks can be had cheap then they just need programming to the ecu.Keys can be done via a you tube video.
And the mileage can be changed to show yours with vag-tacho. Job done.

 

[Transtellar]

Hey Transtellar that is exactly the same pattern as my car, sometimes it's fine. I just reckon it's going to finally refuse to start and I'll be beating it up like Basil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers

I HAVE A BIG HAMMER FOR THAT DAY!

I have found that mine is worse on hot days or when iv had the heaters on full.

Did you know if you leave the key in and turned on for 10 mins the immobiliser will turn off

I can't be assed to fix it atm, don't drive my car daily so I don't really mind its wee hissy fits

 

[snafu]

Set of clocks can be had cheap then they just need programming to the ecu.Keys can be done via a you tube video.
And the mileage can be changed to show yours with vag-tacho. Job done.

Would it definitely be the clocks? If so I'll look into that. Cheers Lee!

 

[LEE69]

The immob is in the clocks, and if you're hitting them and it works i'd say it was a good bet.

 

[snafu]

I HAVE A BIG HAMMER FOR THAT DAY!

I have found that mine is worse on hot days or when iv had the heaters on full.

Did you know if you leave the key in and turned on for 10 mins the immobiliser will turn off

I can't be assed to fix it atm, don't drive my car daily so I don't really mind its wee hissy fits

I like the hammer idea I didn't know that about the 10 mins, is that with the ignition lights on? I always thought you shouldn't leave the ignition on for long or it would burn out and destroy the planet or something?

 

[snafu]

The immob is in the clocks, and if you're hitting them and it works i'd say it was a good bet.

Yeah makes sense...that's great, will start working out where to get them and how to fit 'em. Thanks again

 

[Transtellar]

I like the hammer idea I didn't know that about the 10 mins, is that with the ignition lights on? I always thought you shouldn't leave the ignition on for long or it would burn out and destroy the planet or something?

Yea turn the ignition on and leave the light flashing and the light goes out after 10 mins and the car starts. I believe its a built in override

 

[LEE69]

I really have not tried it but makes a joke of security system if that is the case

 

[cass]

You lot need some sort of social group on this site for people who start their cupra's basil fawlty style.

 

[Transtellar]

I really have not tried it but makes a joke of security system if that is the case

I phoned the AA one day before I realised a slap on top helped.

It was the patrol that told all me Vag cars override after 10 mins, iv done it loads. Sometimes iv had turn it off and try again, but iv never been stranded yet!