Hello all,

I own a 2001 2.3 Ghia Galaxy (newer shape model), and it is having problems starting on a random basis. Here are the symptoms:-

Insert key in ignition, turn as normal to start. Dashboard lights up as normal, but car will not turn over - no sounds of fuel pump or starter motor are heard at all. Little red led on door flashes constantly. Now for the next 20 seconds to 8 minutes I repeatedly turn the key off and back on until eventually the red led stops flashing and the car starts fine as if nothing was ever wrong! Taking the key out and locking and unlocking the doors doesn't seem to help either!

This happens on a totally random basis. Sometimes it won't happen for weeks and weeks, then it'll do it 3 times in one day. On tuesday it took over 8 minutes of key turning before it would start. Sods law dictated I had just filled it with fuel and was parked next to the pump having just paid, with a queue behind waiting......

I have changed the remote batteries, but still the randomness returns. Any ideas for a cure would be much appreciated. I suspect the immobiliser chip in the key is not being read for some reason, but why and how to cure it is a mystery!

All help gratefully accepted.

ATB Mark