Hi, Fabia estate 1.4 TDI.  Will not start.

 

The glow plug lamp and the immobiliser light are both flashing. Car tires immediately but stops immediately after.  No issues yesterday, was heavy rain tho.

I have 3 keys one has not been used for a year as I have just found it. None seem to be recognised. All lock and unlock car.

Tried the shaking and pulling tip, no go. Tried putting a key in ignition , turning it on and locking car manually with good key then triggering with the unlock.  No go.

Will disconnecting the battery for a while fix? Concerned disconnecting  may lose the symphony radio as I don't have the code. Not got access to a code reader. Local garage may have, would clearing the code fault also fix?  Thanks.

 

58 minutes ago, rmb said:

3 keys one has not been used for a year as I have just found it. None seem to be recognised.

That strongly suggests an immobiliser issue then; you need a VCDS or dealer fault scan.

11 hours ago, KenONeill said:

That strongly suggests an immobiliser issue then; you need a VCDS or dealer fault sca

Thanks for the reply 

 

Tried this method that worked for the two regularly used keys.: Try to start the car. Leave key in the ignition with it ON. Lock car with spare key ( not sure if this is necessary to the fix or for security). I left it for 1/2 hour and immobiliser had reset.   I got it fault checked  and no fault was recorded.

  Lost key is still not recognised.  I have seen other posts where the spare key was not recognised. Does the transponder in the key deactivate if not used?

 

I should try the resetting method above on the spare to see if that reactivates it.

Silly question but is the lost/found key battery ok? Might be flat as a pancake!

On 27/12/2019 at 16:16, mrgf said:

Silly question but is the lost/found key battery ok? Might be flat as a pancake!

 

If the third lost / found key operates the locks remotely rather than physically turning the lock then the battery is OK.

 

Regardless I may be wrong but I thought the immobiliser part was passive to avoid any key battery issues not least because no button on key the has to be pressed while starting.

 

Did the third key once allow the car to start and run rather than just operate the doors?

Since normally only two keys are supplied could it have been coded for the doors but not the immobiliser?

Hi, I re-read this and looked at your avatar thingy... It says Fabia 1 so I am not sure if this is in the wrong forum... 

That said, you mention all three keys ands as delta925 mentions, there are usually two keys, whilst a third key could just be what is referred to as a valet key. It unlocks the car, along with the steering lock but has no immobiliser so cannot start the car!

You also say "Triggering with the unlock" So am I correct in assuming they are remote key fobs, not the lower spec key in lock to open type keys?

 

It does seem like an immobiliser issue and may well have been connected to the heavy rainfall as the control unit might have become soaked or become corroded over time. From memory, my daughter's old Clio used to do this as the immobiliser/remote scan thing was in the roof and often became wet due to water ingress via the leaky sunroof. I also remember a fault with some electrics under the drink cup holder, which often got wet if drink was spilled. Stupid designs in both cases but I digress.

 

Oh, on the Fabia 2, at least, with a Dance stereo head unit, the stereo will simply self check, take a few seconds, then work as normal, after disconnecting the battery. I am fairly sure its the same for all factory coded units. 

 

Keep a note of code fault numbers prior to clearing them and yes, it may solve the issue at least temporarily. If it is caused by excess damp, it may come back again. If serious corrosion, it will almost certainly come back and possibly quite soon, if not immediately.

Edited 29 December, 20196 yr by mrgf

Back when I had the Audi A4 if I recall correctly there were four keys

- two full function remote

- one metal but no remote, I can't remember what happened if that was put in the steering lock and an attempt to start the car made

- one plastic that would fit lock to open doors, again I can't remember what happened if that was put in the steering lock and an attempt to start the car made

 

If the OP has a Fabia 1 it may be based on this.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I have had no issues since, garage found no fault codes.  I have tried leaving the 'lost'key in the ignition with it on for an hour a couple of times to see if the immobiliser would recognise it again

But this has not worked. Can the transponder be reactivated or replaced.  Otherwise key goes back in the kitchen drawer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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