Can anybody help me please ? .. I am being driven rapidly insane !

I have a Xreg Fiesta Courier van mk5 1800 diesel non-turbo - not central locking or anything fancy - just opens the doors with key and starts with key.

It has been starting as normal but every now and again I turn the key and nothing... but it has started getting worse !

It starts when it wants, but I just get silence apart from a clicking noise in the relays when it wont start, which I was told is normal.. and all the dash lights come on as normal.

The problem started shortly after getting some new glow plugs fitted a few months back - not sure if its a coinsidence ?

Anyway I changed all relay blocks, checked - fuses, battery, cleaned earths lives etc..

Then the obvious, every mechanic was telling me that the solenoid would be buggered but I had a feeling it was not, so I have fitted a new starter motor but it was nothing to do with that.

I started it up a few days ago and took it to a steep hill and switched the ignition off, went to start it and it wouldnt, so I turned the ignition to full and let it roll down the hill and tried bumping it but it would have none of that.. so I went back the next day and it started ! so I drove it to my local garage to see what they thought and they said the electric was getting everywhere it should have been... anyway this young mechanic came over and said your key is not recognised by your immobiliser because the little red lights near the clock were flashing fast and he reckons the key needs re-programming (we also tried my spare key but nothing happened).

It was stuck there for two days after various attempts of starting it..

So in the meantime I rang a few auto electricians who were very helpful - a few lads said it wont be the key but the main advice was, there is a bunch of wires running from the diesel pump along the slam panel near the radiator and they are connected to the immobiliser and they said the problem is common with dodgy old wires etc.

I got it started and drove it to my local auto electric garage, the head man said he would sort it out at the price of £45 an hour ... so I drove it through and switched the engine off and it started straight up when he turned the key !!!.. and it kept starting up - making me look like an idiot .. ironic.

I got a phonecall today saying he checked it and couldnt find any problems with the wires, but he found a corroded fuse which he replaced .. so I went to collect the van (paid the hefty bill), drove it home and turned it off and ... IT WONT START - AARRGGH !!!!

I am in the process of spending more than what the van is worth but it is driving me mental not being able to diagnose the fault - I dont like giving up on something, but this is a real battle.

I would appreciate any suggestions or help, thanks.

Hi,

I had a similar issue with my previous car (focus), it actually turned out to be the key. A local locksmith re-programmed the key for £75. It never happened again!

Hope you get it sorted soon...

'kmckeown78'

Hi, thanks for letting me know about your key problem, I am going to take the car out (if it starts) and hope it wont start... I am a member of the AA so I will see what their verdict is on the matter, but it sounds like the key.

I was under the bonnet this morning wiggling wires etc. and even put my hands up behind the steering column from the pedal area.. and found another relay block - but it turned out to be for the heater fan (what a hard place to look for a relay !).

I appreciate any feedback because we can learn new things by other peoples mechanical problems, this site is a wealth of information.. thanks again mate.