Hi all

Since i had my car (about 3months) it wouldnt always turn over straight away, took a few goes, key in and out and then it would go. The guy i bought it from told me about this and said it was because it had had a new key and the immobiliser didnt always recognise it.
It had been fine until saturday, i parked up then i couldnt get it started for about 20 mins and to do it i shifted from park to drive a couple of times then it started. I drove to the shop then went to start again and nothing, did the same again and it started.
I am thinking this may be a sensor issue instead of immobiliser anyone had this or have any ideas what it might be please?

It could also be the low pressure fuel pump not getting enough fuel to the front end? does it come up with any warning msg's?

I only say that because every time you turn the ignition on the fuel should be pumped up to the front end, so if its too weak it could take a few attempts. Bushy

2003 RR Vogue Monté Carlo Blue

Hi thanks for the reply but the engine doesn't turn over so it isn't a fuel issue.

any sort of noises from anywhere?.

Sorry I read your post wrong, i assumed it was trying to start but just wouldn't.

so your starter motor doesn't even try to turn the engine over when it fails to work?

If the starter motor does try to turn the engine over when you turn the key it could be your battery voltage being to low..

If it doesn't, then when you turn the key through the stages, do you get all of the usual lights coming on etc?
It does sound strange, that the seller would allow the vehicle to be sold to you with a known issue like that.

I would investigate with the seller as to why it had a new key, because if the key isn't coded/ cut properly of course the immobiliser wont recognise it. however that being said someone else on here might know of a common fault with the start-up procedure that could cause this. Bushy

2003 RR Vogue Monté Carlo Blue

You could try greasing the gear selector cable adjacent to the gearbox.
It's possible it's not operating freely over it's whole range due to corrosion and as a result not operating the inhibitor switch correctly in the gearbox.
The fact that your car started after you moved the gear selector from P to D a couple of times tends to suggest an inhibitor switch problem.
Details of lubrication required in the Wiki.

Thanks all for your feedback but i think nicedayforit may be in the right area so i will give that a try, i will be sure to let you know how i get on.

Hi Alex, I assume you've seen the thread that I started "Td6 Won't Start..."

Most likely cause that others are coming up with for me is the ignition switch. I've attached a Youtube video that someone posted in which the poster's car makes a very similar noise to mine - a bit like morse code! Mine usually starts in the end (at least so far!), but I haven't yet worked out if there's any particular trick that works.

elbitrevnoc - the video that you posted is identical to the 'noise' that I had. Replaced the ignition switch [supplied by Dan] and all is good.

Just to update you, all on thursday evening i sprayed the ignition with wd40 as i was going away on friday afternoon so needed the car. Friday comes and it was just as bad, every time i tried it, it would take about 10-15attempts before it would turn over. Then saturday morning i came to use it again and it started first time, since then it hasnt missed a beat. Not sure if its coincidence or whether the WD40 had done the trick in the ignition barrel, if so what had it actually done, i will see what happens over the next week or so and keep you updated