Ford escort van immobiliser problems

today, for the 4th time now in 2 months my car has failed to start after stopping somewhere.. ( not as in next morning.. only about 10-15 mins between stopping and trying to start again.. ).

I figure it's something to do with the built in immobiliser since all the dash lights come on and the glow plugs are heated ( light comes on and goes off and hear a clunk as the relay turns off )

I get nothing when i turn the key.. no trying to start at all..
the light under the clock ( which is the immobiliser light ) doesn't flash on at all..

after about 30-40 turns of the key it usually starts again.. presumably the immobiliser is re-synchronising with the codes in the key?

Is it a fairly newish Escort van? Because i recall some of the newer Fords just turned over with the immobiliser on where as yours has no life.

Perhaps it could be something as simple as a faulty solenoid? next time it happens, hold the key in position 3 (hand may ache a bit) for as long as it takes and see if it fires up. If it fires up after a min its the solenoid.

it sounds like you have a faulty starter motor if it does it again try tapping it with a screwdriver or a hammer.

If you haven't sorted it all ready, when you turn the key to the heat/start position what does the red LED do under the clock? If it flashes fast ie faster than if the van is turned of then the van will NOT start. The flashing denotes that the immobilizer can not pick up the code in the key.
If the red LED when in heat/start position stays on solid and then goes out. this means that the immobilizer has found the key and is not ready for firing of the engine, who ever if the van fails to start after this then yes it may be down to the starter solenoid. To determine this you will notice or hear a slight click or clunk when you try and start the van, if this is the case the a replacement is to be expected.

RSingabout@KBCustoms

3 years later WOW!!! I'm sure the van is scrap by now!

Mickymoody said:

3 years later WOW!!! I'm sure the van is scrap by now!

Click to expand...

just lucky he wasn't waiting for an answer and broke down in bq's car park then.