SEAT Immobiliser problems?

Nick Cupra R

Full Member
Mar 18, 2003
447
0
Cambridge
I’ve just got myself a nice tidy Mk2 Ibiza 1.8 16v GTi as a runabout. I'm having some problems with the SEAT immobiliser. The car has a fancy after market alarm / immobiliser which is working fine but the SEAT immobiliser is still operating and causing problems.

Sometimes the car will start but cut out after a second, after another attempt the car normally starts fine. The other day it just wouldn't start at all. I tried locking the car up again and unlocking it as well as many other different ways of alarming and disarming the car but all to no effect. I even tried disconnecting the battery for a while and reconnecting it hoping something would reset itself but this still didn't help. I plugged VAG-COM in and it came up with an error something along the lines of "car failed to start due to immobiliser". I reset the error codes and it started on the second attempt and the error reappeared.

The key I have is new non-SEAT key which was cut as the previous owner thought he had lost the original SEAT key so he had the immobiliser and key all re-programmed at SEAT. Could this be the problem? Could it be a loose cable? I do have the original SEAT key which was found after getting the new one, but unfortunately it is no longer matched with the car's immobiliser so does not work. Trying this key actually does exactly the same thing as when I have the problem; the car starts for a second and then cuts out.

Any suggestions?
 

m0rk

sarcasm comes free
Staff member
May 19, 2001
27,787
33
Clanfield, UK
Hi

I managed to replicate the fault by disconnecting the immobilser yesterday.... startd, died after a second or so, then wouldn't start again.

could well be loose connections the key barrel to ECU wires looked pretty crappy
 

Nick Cupra R

Full Member
Mar 18, 2003
447
0
Cambridge
Thanks Mark, as I expected from what you said on Saturday to be honest. Where is the immobiliser located? Is it a little black box somewhere near the steering column?
 

m0rk

sarcasm comes free
Staff member
May 19, 2001
27,787
33
Clanfield, UK
Yup - remove the glove box panel, unscrew the plastic shield underneath the steering column

The box is behind the dashboard, to the right of the steering column. I'll try to remember to get some pics tonight.
 

GTI 16v

Guest
Hi there nick, nice to know Im not the only one!! I have the same problem on my 1.8 16v.

However I dont think the problem is with your key as I have the standard SEAT key and my car still has the problem.

A alarm specialist told me it happens more in the warmer months he said it could be something to do with the starter motor or alternator. I think it could also be distributor. But Im no mechanic. :confused:

Does your car also switch off when you depress the clutch (rarely) and hesitates at first on accelration??

I put a diagnostic machine on my car and came up witha fault code reading which was for a 'KNOCK SENSOR'. I know how to change this part, but its hard to get one. Wondering if you had this problem. Not too many have the 1.8 16v.
 

Nick Cupra R

Full Member
Mar 18, 2003
447
0
Cambridge
Cheers Mark, I'll have a look at the weekend and check the connections. I'll try and sort it out myself rather than having to call you up again ;)

GTI 16v, I've only had the car a matter of weeks so am still discovering its "features". The fault code was definitely relating to the immobiliser and I have not had any of the problems you mention with the car. I'm pretty sure my problem is something quite simple such as a bad connection on the SEAT immobiliser. I know the dash has been of a number of times which makes it even more possible.
 

PbBooM

Guest
my 8valve did the same thing Pissed me off big time.Took it back to seat and they recoded the keys and its never done it since!!:-o
 
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