Immobilser Fault - West Yorkshire

[Agent Cooper]

Hello

My Leon Cupra 20VT is dead…. brain dead
Everything else working fine but the Immobiliser is locked on and fault code reappears as soon as key is back in barrel


01176 07-00 Signal from Key too low. Understand from posting elsewhere by the Guru Uwe Ross that the 00 means cannot even see the key so attempting to recode to immobiliser is pointless. Most likely suspect is failed wiring/coil around lock barrel or connections from Immobiliser. Or the immobiliser itself.

This above code then initiates fault 17978 i.e. preventing engine start. Car will turn over on starter and briefly fire but that orange light blinks like my nemesis as soon as ignition. There are no other faults in system.

I do not have full VAG-COM software 

So any guidance out there? My thoughts:-

1. Call out a trustworthy local (Pontefract) Auto electricial who understands VW Immobilisers. Any recommendations based on experience?
2. RAC Home start, how good are their diagnostic systems these days. Identified coil pack failure in past but will it analyse blocks fully and diagnose the coil, immobiliser or main instrument pack? Would an RAC man even attempt get into nitty gritty of steering column. (Conscious if recovered by them that need to know how want treated by Seat dealer or Auto Electrician i.e. not called them yet)
3. Try the cheap option of checking/replacing the coil. Any guidance out there as to cable route and connections and how difficult is Column disassembly? Do I have to remove airbag and wheel?
4. Don’t want to think about 4. Been though a lot with this car over 161,000 miles and 10 years. Mechanically she’s sound but wary can throw good money after bad with modern auto-electrics.

Keys are both original (1 with remote), I have the plastic SKC tab. Battery ‘seemed’ fine until about my 30th start attemp. Will charge off car tonight. Have attempted start off another running car after reset so the microwave coil is my suspect….

Hope someone can help, Ta in advance

David

 

[Agent Cooper]

One other thought was is there a limp mode? I have read about various forms on VAG cars i.e. key in ignition on position 2 for 10 minutes(ish) should allow car to start.

 

[Agent Cooper]

Anyone ?

 

[snafu]

Hi David

I don't have any advice, but I am interested as my 03 Cupra 20VT is having a similar problem, occasionally the car will start but only for a few seconds and then the dreaded orange light blinks and the engine dies.

I seem to be able to get around the problem eventually, what I've tried is getting out, locking the car remotely and then getting in again and trying, removing the key from the ignition and re-inserting it. I can't see a pattern to the problem, but if it gets worse it will be a nightmare.

I also have a problem with the starter motor refusing to turn sometimes. This is despite having a new one fitted a while back, and a new battery in the winter.

The car's done 115k and I love it, I don't want to think about replacing it and can't afford to anyway.

Hope you problem is sorted, let me know what you had to do if it is! I'm going to try some friends with knowledge of VW electrics and will post back if I get anywhere.

One more thing - I haven't seen any fault codes. Do they appear on the radio LCD?

John

 

[Agent Cooper]

John

You’re not going to like my answer. I cut my losses as not got the time/space to keep car and try and fix. I too loved my Cupra having bought from new and done over 160000 miles. I thought I knew every little detail / foible / fault etc. but modern car electronics are not forgiving or easy to access. Does make sense to bury the Immobiliser from theft point of view….until it goes nipples North.

Once I’d factored potential independent (£400+) or dealer costs (£700+) and upcoming bills of Tyres & 4 wheel alignment (£150+), Tax (£235), MOT (£50) simple economics took over.

My car’s failure was instant and permanent implying something (connector, wiring or solder joint) had failed somewhere in the dash. Sorry to say but intermittent faults could be even harder to find.

Friendly Dealer tried the low cost option of recoding keys but failed as couldn’t even see them. Their best guess, (as seen a few recently) was the main dash binnacle. I also was leaning towards the cable/sensor for key pickup. To replace both of those still could not guarantee a fix. On a car worth little over £1K as a runner due to high mileage (worth more to me only) I had to make a painful decision.


On to yours……

May be a few detail changes from 01 to 03 build. Certainly other VW Group cars changed Immobiliser type and location after 2001.

Fault codes will have to be extracted using VCDS / VAG COM using OBD II port below the Ashtray, else by dealer. The codes on stereo display really only relate to control of the climate control. If not got access to VCDS see if you can find someone on here local to you who can help or a garage who won’t charge like wounded Rhino’s.

Apart from diagnostics my next port of call on yours would be confirming battery condition and checking wiring to the starter? Maybe something is dragging even the new battery down. While on diagnostic low voltage to the instruments is also a possibility? Earth/Ground fault ?.

As for not picking up the key, the fact it recognises them intermittently says to me the pairing inside the immobiliser is still good. Maybe it is the pick up (microwave) coil?

Good luck, I’ve had a very expensive week that couldn’t have come at a worse time (house move ongoing) and stressing about money is not good. This forum is a great place to glean good info and sure you will find some local help.

David

 

[snafu]

Hi David

Well there's plenty to think about there! I think it's time to approach my knowledgeable friends and see if they can help, with your advice in mind. I hope it's not as terminal as yours turned out to be.

Thanks for your reply and I hope your house move is stress free.

Cheers
John

 

[Binz]

John, have you got it sorted? I just had immobiliser fault repaired by camberleyservicecentre.com for £185 - doesnt sound cheap for a bit of soldering but did include taking dash out to do it.

 

[snafu]

Hi Binz

I am currently employing the "if I don't think about it, it might go away" approach. However it is reassuring that it didn't cost too much, not that £185 is cheap. Was yours a similar problem ?

I might ask the Oxford dealer for a quote...

 

[Binz]

the problem was an intermittent failure to start, or rather it would sometimes start and immediately die, and the immobiliser warning light on the dash (car with key) would be flashing. They told me if it needed the circuit board replacing it would cost £400 just for parts.
I noticed last night that the coolant temperature gauge isnt working now (maybe a side effect of the repair), but as i've got oil temp guage I'm not sure if I can be ar$ed to take it in again right now.

good luck

Binz
(Ibiza TDI Sport)