Hi y'all, 

Bit of a bizarre one, my 63 plate, 2lt diesel will only start (sometimes) if it is in gear. I can try several times but then randomly, normally after flicking through each gear, it'll start in first or second gear. 

When it does not start, it says "engine malfunction" and "immobiliser active". However when it's actually running, it drives really nicely, engine wise, although the gear changes can be a little rough. Especially trying to select reverse. 

Any idea guys? 

Thank for any advice!

Sounds like the common 'water ingress to the BCM' problem.

 

Ohh... That's not what I was expecting at all!! I did actually wash my windscreen when it wouldn't work first time!! How have they messed that up so much!? 

 

Thank you for the quick reply! And knowledge!

Hi, 

I managed to get the connection checked and it all looks clean and dry to me, with zero previous damage. The car is hard to put into gear, especially into reverse! Do these Mondeo's have failsafes built into the boxes which would stop the car from starting? I mean, like due to low transmission fluid? 

 

Cheers.

Manual gearboxes have a reverse lock-out which prevents selecting reverse accidentally.  (Often need to lift a collar on Fords for example).  But there is no failsafe for the forward gears.  They should slot in easily with the engine switched off.  Sometimes the gear shafts stop in a slightly awkward position which makes 1st & reverse difficult to select from standstill.

If gearchanges are tight with the engine running, the clutch is probably dragging.  (Not fully disengaging).  You could try changing the gear oil to see if that makes the changes any smoother.

Only starting in gear may be a coincidence here.  Not saying it hasn't happened, just that it may not be the reason for eventually starting.