Starts then dies

[Andyman]

Got a problem with the ph1 which started about a week ago.

90% of the time, whenever i start it, it fires into life then cuts out. The light between the serv and stop lights flashes repeatedly.
Whenever it starts playing up it also flashes repeatedly when only the ignition is on.

After anything between 1 and 6 attempts the car starts normally. Engine temp has no effect and it doesnt cut out when driving.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Cheers

 

[joshclio999]

maybe the immobiliser mate, i have the same thing sometimes. although i dont know how to fix it, i think there is a way. something to do with the arial maybe but not sure!

 

[Andyman]

Had thought about that too mate but wouldnt have thought it would start at all? Might be wrong tho

Is the light between the serv and stop the immobiliser light?

 

[sophiesdad]

yes that should be the immobiliser ligh.
is it red and flashes fast when trying to start ?
if so try pushing the key fob when turning key , works a lot on the ones i see.
probably needs a new plip, or battery , try your spare key ?

 

[Black Phoenix]

If could be the key that can not communicate to the immobiliser the code. Try the spare key.

Or the relays from the immobiliser that are located in a fuse box near the battery box. I had the same problem in a dCi and changed the relay related.

 

[Andyman]

Spare keys the same - Yes the light flashes repeatedly and the stop light stays lit but the serv light is out.

Is it normal for the car to even start with a immobiliser issue?. I thought the idea was it cuts the supply to the fuel pump thus wouldnt prime so would only turn over but not actual start?

 

[Black Phoenix]

It doesn't start with the immobiliser active. That's the reason why your car don't start at the first tries, but then the immobiliser read the code and let's the engine run. It's simply a recognition problem, between the code in your key and the car ECU/UCH itself. Had you already found the correct relay I mention some posts above?

 

[Andyman]

But it does start, it just cuts out again before it has a chance to idle.

If it was the immobiliser then surely it would just turn over and not fire up?

I havent used the car for over a week and tried to start it this morning and it was being worse than ever so gonna pop down to the local dealers and get a new battery for the key fob first.

 

[Bassplayer]

Exactly the problem I had with my 182. It was the combination of dirty battery connections and a duff battery. Although the battery would start the engine ok it would die, like yours. I tested the battery (I have a very expensive tester that sends a signal through the battery to test it) and it showed up duff. New battery and clean terminals and no further problems.

 

[Andyman]

Battery i have is only a few months old but il give it a check. Got a new battery for the key and its still doing it.

 

[stoney182]

they do fire up and then cut out when imobilisation is active ............... u never had it were if u leave it for 30seconds or so after u have unlocked the vehicle on the older renaults ( late 90's) were the imob has reset its self and u have to re press the plip, thats all this is doin imo

 

[Andyman]

Well i found out that pressing the key at the same time as turning it usually over rides the issue..................................till this morning when it wont now start at all and just gives a clicking noise from the engine so guessing a dirty earth contact, alternator or starter. Battery appears ok at 12.5 V

Getting sick of this car. Iv a 20 odd year old Ford Escort thats never given me one bit of bother compared to this money pit.

 

[Jonny1*2]

they do fire up and then cut out when imobilisation is active ............... u never had it were if u leave it for 30seconds or so after u have unlocked the vehicle on the older renaults ( late 90's) were the imob has reset its self and u have to re press the plip, thats all this is doin imo

No they don't mate. Mine wouldn't even crank.

It sounds like it could be key or decoder related if the light is flashiing. If it was an immobiliser issue, it would be a solid light. Have you tried changing the decoder ring? (make sure you get the correct one for your car, there are 4 different ones iirc). Diagnostics would pinpoint this straight away.

 

[Andyman]

Iv got a spare decoder ring but havent had change to get round to changing it but this not starting today is something different as it wont turn over even when the light is normal, just clicks you get with a duff battery or starter.

This all started after having a new door fitted and a few minor dents taken out of the roof. Not sure if its connected, ie if they disturbed something?

 

[Jonny1*2]

There isn't really much they could have disturbed when doing those jobs tbh. Have you tried bumping it?

 

[Andyman]

I changed the decoder ring and no joy but cranked the car over about 20 odd times after failed attempts at rocking it back and forth in gear and bashing the starter and it suddenly started. The clock light had reset itseslf so must have been some kind of power cut.

Forgot to mention, the other day it automatically locked all the doors even tho my keys were in the ignition. Theres something odd going on with the electrics so looking like a trip to the dealers i think

 

[Jonny1*2]

I changed the decoder ring and no joy but cranked the car over about 20 odd times after failed attempts at rocking it back and forth in gear and bashing the starter and it suddenly started. The clock light had reset itseslf so must have been some kind of power cut.

Forgot to mention, the other day it automatically locked all the doors even tho my keys were in the ignition. Theres something odd going on with the electrics so looking like a trip to the dealers i think

Dealer :S are you mad. They'll charge a fortune. Sounds like your starter is on the way out, or there is a bad earth somewhere. Is it working fine now?

 

[Johno_c]

Mine did this - air temp sensor! Fuelparts part number at1035 I believe bout a tenner

Unless, did the battery die? Mine did over Xmas, wouldn't start at all, aa plugged comp in n started first time -wierd

 

[Andyman]

Key(s) need recoding is the diagnosis with the flashing moby light / cutting out and dying prob.

I think the failure to start was probably a random starter motor solenoid sticking issue. Its never done it since.

 

[Andyman]

Got another starting issue.

When i try and start the car just about all the lights on the dash flash repeatedly, quite dimly with a noise from the back of the clock panel (not a clicking from the starter) -
The fuel pump doesn't sound like its priming either.

I bought a new battery but still the same.

Anyone any ideas ?