Ignition Question

[Sfilie]

hey, the past 2 days or so my 94 vr has been playin up. i put the key into the ignition turn it to start the start n it dosent do anything. it dosent click or anything and the dash lights come on etc, ive looked around and im prepared to say that the barrel or sumtin is stuffed in it. my mates car has the same problem, his gone to mechanics n they have said everytin was fine ie. spark plugs, starter motor etc so is it safe to assume that the barrel needs replacing?

is there anything else i can do to fix it or is the locksmith the only answer?

[mischa]

Sticky relays I find cause this aswell. Give them a tap, specficaly the efi one and see if it starts after that.

[ianf]

I have the same problem right now myself, I have also had the same problem in he past with another car and each time it was the actual key itself, it either had a flat battery or the little silver nipple was not making a good conection when ever I turned the key, try pushing the key in hard while starting?, you never know...

[moff_man]

if the little red light on the panel below the radio (above the radio for berlina calais statesman) is still flashing when trying to crank the car than the car is still immobilized and wont start. this is usually the key head or the key reader playing up. also check the park neutral switch while trying to crank give the selector a nudge and see if it comes alive this will only work if the red led is not flashing.

to get around the immobliser try keeping the reds on for 30 - 45 min's (possibly an hour) and the light should go out and the car can be started.

[PRAVX II S]

It can be either the inhibitor switch (Automatic)
Key has gone faulty or
BCM.
Check for codes bridge pins 5&6.
Code should come up if the Bcm is at fault.

[stuntmanmike]

Okay. Today I've tried to eliminate the root cause of the car not starting and came across this thread when trying to find some indication of what to do.
Now I want to try that step where "keeping it on the reds" for 30 to 45 minutes to see if the immobiliser deactivates since the red light near the heater control is flashing now. Just one thing though: what does it mean to "keep it on the reds"?
None of the lower dash lights come on for me now when I switch on to crank the engine over. What gives?
I'm gonna take apart the spare key that I've tried also to test the battery voltage.

[moff_man]

reds are on or the engine light batt light etc etc. the position before crank.

[Brett_jjj]

The immobiliser bypass period with the ignition key in the "ON" position is 45 minutes for VR and series 1 VS.This wait time was extended to 120 minutes for the series 2 VS and later.

[maldotcom2]

Yeah it's going to be the immobiliser or an after market alarm playing up (if you have one).

If this problem was accompainied with a clicking of the starter relay i'd say check the recharge cable on the back of the alternator isn't burnt out.