vauxhall vectra key not recognised

taney

Hi,

I"ll appreciate if anyone can help me...

My car was working fine till last night but this morning it just failed to start.As I try to turn the ignition on,it turns on a light of immobiliser with a key sign n just doesnt simply start.Same thing happened a few days ago n after a few attempts it did start...but today it just simply refused!!

According to my limited knowledge based on googling,I think theres some pb with key chip?Can anyone suggest me where can I get it repaired other than vauxhall dealer n roughly how much would it cost?

I'm based in Birmingham/solihull...any local dealer??

I"ll really appreciate your suggestions

Johno100

Can you still lock and unlock the car with the key fob, i.e the battery in the key hasn't gone flat has it? And I assume you haven't got a spare key you could try?

It may be an ECU issue rather than the key so it might be worth disconnecting the battery for 20 minutes or so or pulling the ECU fuse for a similar period to re-set it.

taney

Johno100 wrote: »

Can you still lock and unlock the car with the key fob, i.e the battery in the key hasn't gone flat has it? And I assume you haven't got a spare key you could try?

It may be an ECU issue rather than the key so it might be worth disconnecting the battery for 20 minutes or so or pulling the ECU fuse for a similar period to re-set it.

Yes I can lock unlock n I dont hav a spare key...
whats ECU...sorry I dont know anything abt cars otherthan that they hav 4 wheels ,need fuel n start with a key!"

facade

There is a small transponder chip inside the plastic part of the key. It doesn't need a battery or anything.
There is a pickup coil around the ignition lock under the plastic that sends a signal to activate the chip, it replies with a code number.

If this number matches the one in the cars memory, it will start.


If it doesn't get a matching code, and you tru and start it, the key symbol flashes.

What could be wrong?

You could have the ignition key for another car on the same keyring. 2 transponder chips close together will interfere and not give a valid code.

The key could be damaged, breaking the chip, or the chip could have fallen out.

The pickup coil could have a loose connection.

The transponder chip could have simply failed through old age, Toyotas tend to do this.

The cars security module could be faulty.

Most of these involve a high cost to repair.

(You cannot replace the security module on its own from a scrapyard, you will have to replace module, instruments and ecu as a set.)

A new module or key has to be stored in the cars memory, this is a job for a dealer, or someone with the right equipment.

taney

facade wrote: »

You could have the ignition key for another car on the same keyring. 2 transponder chips close together will interfere and not give a valid code.

The key could be damaged, breaking the chip, or the chip could have fallen out.

The pickup coil could have a loose connection.

The transponder chip could have simply failed through old age, Toyotas tend to do this.

The cars security module could be faulty.

Most of these involve a high cost to repair.

(You cannot replace the security module on its own from a scrapyard, you will have to replace module, instruments and ecu as a set.)

A new module or key has to be stored in the cars memory, this is a job for a dealer, or someone with the right equipment.

thats a lot of valuable information. ..some of it certainly sound scarily expensive too...I guess I"ll begin with getting the key checked first but according to you,only vauxhall dealer can sort it...:(

Rolandtheroadie

Someone like this might be able to help?

http://duplicut.co.uk/

Strider590

Sounds like the chip in the key, quite vulnerable to damage through being dropped.

Probably because of the EU RoHS directive which came into force around 10 years ago, it meant that manufacturers had to remove lead from solder and use 100% tin, which is very brittle and causes solder joint fractures (as seen on the early Xbox 360). Seeing as how the additional chemicals and processes used are worse now for the environment, I'm certain this was just conspired by big industry to reduce service life of consumer goods, but hey what do I know.......

If it were me (i have a spare key anyway) i'd probably strip the key down and do some DIY solder reflow. But then i've also been doing that stuff for nearly 20 years

facade

taney wrote: »

I guess I"ll begin with getting the key checked first but according to you,only vauxhall dealer can sort it...:(

As scotsman4th posts, there are cheaper places than a main dealer.

Some locksmiths will copy your key and the chip for about £40, however this is no use if your chip is faulty.

At the moment you don't know what the problem is, you will have to pay someone to find out.

If there is no damage to the key, and it hasn't come apart when it was dropped, there is no other key on the keyring, and the car battery is fully charged (see how I slipped in an extra thing to check ) there isn't anything else that you can do.

Do make sure that the battery isn't causing the problem, perhaps try a jump start. Failing batteries cause all sorts of odd faults.

Strider590

facade wrote: »

Do make sure that the battery isn't causing the problem, perhaps try a jump start. Failing batteries cause all sorts of odd faults.

Indeed!

I a Vectra and never experienced this exact issue with a failing battery, so it's unlikely..... But still worth checking.
My car did do some really weird stuff 2 or 3 days before the battery failed though.

taney

facade wrote: »

As scotsman4th posts, there are cheaper places than a main dealer.

Some locksmiths will copy your key and the chip for about £40, however this is no use if your chip is faulty.

At the moment you don't know what the problem is, you will have to pay someone to find out.

I"ve booked appt with the locksmith,lets see what they figure out.The problem is as I dont have spare key n cant take the car,I"ll have to check the key on returning home...so fingers crossed till then!

facade

If the chip in the key is faulty, they can tell you straight away, as their machine will not be able to get the code from the chip.

If it isn't, then you will have a spare key (to a car that won't start )


Try ringing a mobile auto electrician, a quick google brings up

http://www.pjautoelectrics.co.uk/

If you describe the problem over the 'phone, and they are any good they should be able to tell you whether they can come out and sort it. Vauxhalls are quite popular cars so there must be a specialist near you. My late father used A2B Vauxhall in Willenhall, a bit far for you, and I expect they want the car taken to them.

You could also try

http://solihullauto.co.uk/

They have all the diagnostics, but an expensive looking website, and they are round the corner from you.