Hi, first of all i'm a woman....so bear with me

My Octavia sdi (04) has decided to stop working. The engine tries to start and then cuts out after a few seconds, i think.....the immobiliser light comes on (its a car with a key under it) This car has no electric locking ( i.e no button on the keys to open the car) Both keys have been tried to start the engine, both with the same results. I got a mechanic out to see the car and he hooked it up to some sore ot computer which said it was the immobiliser, but he told me he couldn't by pass it.

Can anyone help (in dumbed down terms lol) so i can go to another mechanic with an idea of whats wrong with it? I don't want to have to spend out oodles of money trying to get it fixed when it could be something simple... the callout for the mechanic with the computer cost £85!!

thanks in advance )

If is the immobiliser, which the faults (lights on the dash and the mechanic) suggest, then it maybe the immobiliser pickup loom is at fault (it is located in the steering column, near to the ignition barrel). A replacement loom might be all that is needed. I am sure someone with a bit knowledge in this area will be along soon to either confirm, or quash my suggestion....

Assuming all the dials/guages on the dash are working when you turn the ignition on, then I would agree it is likely to be the immo pickup coil or the wiring to the dash.

Assuming all the dials/guages on the dash are working when you turn the ignition on, then I would agree it is likely to be the immo pickup coil or the wiring to the dash.

Thanks!

I'll mention that when the new mechanic comes out monday....and hopefully he will listen and not flumox me with loads of work that isn't needed.

it is fairly common for the loom to fail from the coil to the dash, it is available seperatly and not expensive.

a bit fiddly to fit the pins into the socket on the dash but shouldn't take more than 40 mins (we used to go and fit them at the customers house when they failed)

it is fairly common for the loom to fail from the coil to the dash, it is available seperatly and not expensive.

a bit fiddly to fit the pins into the socket on the dash but shouldn't take more than 40 mins (we used to go and fit them at the customers house when they failed)

Just an update on this, i had a new mechanic out (electrics) and he got it fixed.....seems the car....went to sleep....(never heard of a car going to sleep, but it is a bit old, so must be just a tad tired?) or at least the computer put itself into sleep mode (insert a giggle here) so now the computer is all nicely awake with some coffee and a new battery and the car is runnign perfectly

On a side note, the mechanic told us a funny stopry about a car that forgot how to reverse!!!

My VRS did this afew times the other week back and i was thinking it was the key so i put the spare in my work bag for when it does it again but sods law it doesnt . Might go and get a spare loom for when it does go down compeletly .