MK2 not unlocking dash lights flashing wont start

[sfacey]

Hi,

My MK2 Clio (non-sport) has had this problem where I go to unlock the car with the key but it wont unlock. I then noticed that the lights on the dash, in the centre around the speedo, were all flashing including the immobiliser. I go to the passenger door, then unlock it manually using the key into the door then get in and climb over. I put the key into the barrel, go to start it and nothing. No lights stop flashing, no more start, and it wont start. Won't even turn over. I turn the key on and off about 5 times and then as if by magic, it starts.

This has now happened to me twice within the past month and am totally baffled by it. Absolutely no idea why it does it, it was running perfectly yesterday, did ~75 miles and it didn't miss a beat!

Any ideas? It can't be the key because the most recent time, today, I just pressed the key and then looked at the dash where it was all flashing so didn't even get as far as opening the door.

Many thanks!

 

[sfacey]

bump, anybody?

 

[GrahamS]

If you can get a video Sean that would be great.

may need to resync the key. There's a guide for that. Otherwise check the gearbox earth behind the left wheel isn't corroded or loose.

last port of call would be swapping the black relays over in the fuse box. Swap over the end 2, they are all the same but 1 may have failed. The one closest to the wing is the fan relays so matters the least.

 

[sfacey]

So after it happening to me twice in two days, and getting stuck over 1.5hrs from home, I managed to fix the bloody thing. Ended up changing battery and stripping out ignition barrel, drying it all with some moderate heat and towels and left it to sit for 24hrs. Haven't had a problem since, and this was back in June! Guessing the condensation got into the electrics under there and did their magic...