Staffan

Guys, need your help!

My car has been sitting in the garage for about 6 months.
Yesterday I finished adjusting valves and changed motor and gearbox oil.
The car started just fine, had about an hours drive, shutting engine on and off several times. The car ran perfect (love this car, it's scary brutal fast).

I then washed the car.
I had my car in 13 years, didn't do anything I haven't done before while washing (like hosing down the engine or something like that).

After washing the starter doesn't turn.
I have something that looks like a small coin on my keyring for the imobilizer.
I touch this "coin" to a round thing placed on the console.
Usually I hear a "click" when I touch the "coin" to the console, but now I don't hear this click.

Making me think that this i imobilizer related.
What puzzels me is that everything was fine until I washed the car, making me think it's kind of likely it's related to washing the car.

I have a spare "coin", but haven't found it yet.
Will try that when (if) I find it.

Things to note:
Battery is in excellent condition.
I found that I didn't have the lid on the fuse box while washing.
Found no moist in the fuse box.
The car has been sitting in the garage over night, still doesn't crank.
When I turn the key the dash lights up like it should and brake pump starts etc.

These kind of problems scares me.
Could anyone give me some clues on how to get about finding the problem.
What is the best method.

Thanks!
Staffan

gr1275

Sounds like you may have an after market imobilizor installed. If the "coin" gismo is electronic, perhaps its battery may need replacing. If it is simply an magnet, then it sounds like power is not getting to the "round thing" on the console. Check all the associated fuses.
Good luck,
Gary

DK964T

Could it be related the the alarm system? Disconnect it and see if it works. I had an issue like that and disconnecting the alarm fixed it.

mapolus

Staffan,

I had a Ford with symptoms that sounded very similar. There was a leak from the windshield straight onto the central junction box. When it rained, the lights flashed, horn honked, did everything except started. Even though the junction box appeared to be dry, that was still our culprit. Only after it dried out completely would it function properly. It took a couple days, but definitely worked better if I removed all the fuses.

I really hope it's that simple. Best of luck to ya!

Matt

ralt

can you bypass the immobilizer....without a lot of work.
I had a similar issue "after washing". Turned out the crank fire pickup was bad but I guess the water finally stopped it. anyway that solved the problem.

Staffan

Thanks guys!
I read the whole thing, went into the garage and started to mess-about with all the fuses.
Got into the car, heard the "click" from the imobilizer and it started right away.
Not 100% confident the problem is solved but almost.

Drove to the car inspection thing and it went through with flying colors, so a good day with your help, thanks!
Had a bit of a starting problem after the inspection, but I think it was because I had to fiddle with the fule mixture, should be good.

mapolus

Sounds great! What seemed to do the trick?