Vectra will not start

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Sun 17 Mar 2002 15:11
Vectra will not start - Archie
My 1.8 16v will not start. The engine turns but the Engine Management light flashes continuously. According to the handbook this is related to the immobiliser. I have checked for fault codes but there are none stored. I suspect it's the ignition key sensor that fits around the ignition switch. Does anyone know if these are coded to the key so therefore can be replaced by one from another car or does the dealer have to program the key/sensor on installation? Can the sensor be bypassed in any way? Not surprisingly the circuit diagram in the Haynes manual does not really go into that amount of detail.
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Sun 17 Mar 2002 15:50
Re: Vectra will not start - Bono Estente
Have you checked that petrol is pumping up from the tank?

Does a spark jump from the end of the lead when it is held 1/4in from the block? (*Caution* this advice may have time expired)

Have you tried heating up your plugs on the gas ring?


[*Haynes* fault checking procedure circa 1976]
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Sun 17 Mar 2002 17:05
Re: Vectra will not start - Honest John
Have you tried your spare keys?

HJ
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Sun 17 Mar 2002 17:50
Re: Vectra will not start - Robert
Archie wrote:
>
> My 1.8 16v will not start. The engine turns but the Engine
> Management light flashes continuously. According to the
> handbook this is related to the immobiliser. I have checked
> for fault codes but there are none stored. I suspect it's the
> ignition key sensor that fits around the ignition switch.
> Does anyone know if these are coded to the key so therefore
> can be replaced by one from another car or does the dealer
> have to program the key/sensor on installation? Can the
> sensor be bypassed in any way? Not surprisingly the circuit
> diagram in the Haynes manual does not really go into that
> amount of detail.

The immobiliser has to be programmed to recognise the key and that can only be done by a Vx dealer who will plug in and should be able to tell you what is wrong. Luckily you have a hard fault here so it should be easy enough for them to diagnose.

If the immobiliser is U/S it will need to be replaced and the engine ecu told that its been changed. The immobiliser will then need to be told to recognise each of the keys (upto 5 I think) that you have.

I think a Vx dealer is your next step - half th eproblem will be getting the car there!

Let us know how you get on.

Regards ......... Robert
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Sun 17 Mar 2002 20:28
Re: Vectra will not start - Archie
Thanks for all the advice. Yes I did try the spare key, but the problem's still there so I think it has to be the immobiliser. Managed to get the RAC to take it to the local dealer, so hopefully it should be fixed tomorrow.
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Mon 18 Mar 2002 11:33
Re: Vectra will not start - Archie
Dealer has just rung to say that the diagnostic check asked for the security code which was re-entered. The car then started and has been fine since. Anybody heard of this? Am I in for a session of intermittent failures until something finally fails?
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Mon 18 Mar 2002 22:41
Re: Vectra will not start - Pete@theGarage
Can't answer your last question Archie, but just to let you know any Autodiagnos agents (ahem - such as us) with the correct Vx software can also do the job. How much did you pay, incidentally?
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Tue 19 Mar 2002 12:08
Re: Vectra fixed - archie
Pete, thanks for your interest. They charged me £27.40 inc VAT which is probably outrageous for the time they took to carry out the diagnostic and reprogram, however they did go back to it several times and road test it to confirm the fix so I would think they probably spent the best part of 45mins to an hour on it. Didn't strike me as too bad for a Vauxhall main dealer. I'd come across Autodiagnos when looking for Tech 2 info for an earlier problem. I'd be interested in finding out who is an agent in my area (Woodley near Reading) and whetether this is run as a mobile service which would certainly save a lot of hassle.
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