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[fredbear]

I have an intermittent starting problem. I have had it for about 2 weeks. Turn Key all ignition ligths on.  Turn again wont start. Press door lock button down all locks come on Lift and take locks off. Turn Key car starts first time no trouble.Sometimes I may have to operate the locks 2 or 3 times to get a result.   Different symptom.  Very occassionly turn key to start. door locks come on and then immediately off. Question; Is there a cut out in the electrical system to prevent the car being started with the doors locked. Could they be a defect in that system?
Garage say's it might be the solenoid on the starter motor. Is it just a coincidence that when I do the trick with the door locks it always starts. Very Spooky
Any suggestion please.
Fredbear  8-)

[Kevin Wood]

When you turn the key to start does anything happen? Does the engine turn over or do you get a click or nothing?

Could be something odd going on with the alarm / central locking ecu I guess.

What does the immobiliser / EM light do while you're doing this?

Do you have a spare key, and does it behave the same when you start it with the spare key?

If it's an auto it could also be a starter inhibitor switch, I guess. Does wiggling the gear stick and making sure it's firmly in "park" help?

Kevin

[Entwood]

Sounds to me like an immobilisor type problem ... have you tried resetting the key fob/immobilisor ?? To do this simple place key in ignition and press the buttons to lock/unlock the doors. It might also be worth changing the keyfob batteries .. a very simple procedure followed by the reset as above.

This is a quick and cheap fix that may work ..may not  but it gets one source of the problem out of the way fast !

[TheBoy]

Assuming you haven't got an aftermarket alarm (the retail MV6 has a decent alarm/immobiliser anyway - is yours retail, or ex-plod)....

If it was immobiliser, the EML would flash if the engine ecu does receive permission to start from immobiliser.

Other than that, the central locking and engine are not connected.


Where are you?

[fredbear]

Thanks for the informatiom. It is a retail buy.  Registered new june 1999. It is the manual version, cloth seats, leg extenders on the front seats.
one owner. 58000 miles to date.

I am located in Berkshire. cheers Fredbear

[TheBoy]

Presumably the engine management light on dash isn't flashing?

I was asking about location, as I have some diagnostics equip, but I'm sure someone nearer may have the 'cheapo tech2' just to check for immobiliser and alarm issues...