Hi there, new to this forum. Idk if these probelms are linked together but are both causing me major issues and have left me basically unable to use my car for 4 weeks. Car fails to start most the time and then it does will often turn itself off when putting the clutch down to change gear. Taken it to a garage twice and both times they think its an electric issue with the mobiliser not recognising the key so had the key reprogrammed today which I thought fixed the car until the issues arose again. Would be very grateful for any advice.

 

Welcome!

Diesel or petrol engine size and type etc?

As I'm unsure, I think it should have an EOBD port so reading any codes (Forscan recommended on here with  lead - search Forscan123) and then live data would be a way to go:

EOBD stands for European On-Board Diagnostics, which is a system used in vehicles to monitor engine emissions and performance. It applies to all petrol cars sold in Europe since January 1, 2001, and diesel cars manufactured from January 1, 2004, ensuring compliance with emissions regulations.

If that is suitable (can someone please confirm) it would give a much better guess (we don't do guesses (C) Shearers) for long distance diagnosis?

12 hours ago, Ozzie Graham said:

had the key reprogrammed today

I presume you know that it's not the key that's reprogrammed, as it contains a passive chip. The car is programmed to recognise the chip. Since the sense coil for the immobiliser is built into the ignition switch I'd concentrate your investigations there. It might just be a worn-out switch on such an old car.

I think I'm right in saying that the car only reads the chip when you turn the ignition on so loss of communication after that wouldn't cause the engine to cut out. Hopefully one of the experts can confirm or deny that.

Could you be more specific about what happens when you try to start it? Does the instrument panel light up when you turn the ignition on? Does it turn over or do you simply just get a click?