Immobiliser Or Something Else

[kenny1234]

Yesterday afternoon when I tried to start my car up, all I got was the cranking sound similar to when there is no petrol. I can't be too sure ,but I think the dash icon that shows the immobiliser wasn't staying on until the ignition key was turned.I tried several times but eventually resigned to locking up the car and walking home to get my spare key in case the code was "playing up"in the key I was using. I opened the boot to get an umbrella out [it was throwing it down] and also moved the car with a push 3 or 4 yards to a safer spot that might not cause an obstruction. I thought I would try one more time----you've guessed it--it fired up!!! I thought surely just moving the car a little wouldn't have solved it. The car (Hyundai i 10) has been fine all day today!!!--Thinking back to yesterday I was parked initially underneath a telecom transmitter,so when I moved could that have been the answer? A long shot --but any ideas of other reasons. The car was serviced 3 weeks ago!!

[RATTER15]

Sounds like a flat battery, giving it a rest will revitalise it a little. I should get your battery checked. Failing that it could be a dodgy starter and just very sluggish.

Check battery first, check all leads are connected to battery tightly, check earth strap, if all Ok, I would then look at starter motor.

[TWR]

If it was the starter you would have no reaction when you turned the ign key, if you have another key, try using that and replace the battery in the key you used in the first case.

[bhg481]

I have heard of cars having unlocking/starting problems because of outside electrical interference, so I think your diagnosis is probably correct.
If the engine was cranking at normal speed I can't see it being a problem with the battery or the connections.

[RATTER15]

TWR, if the starter is on its way out, it can be sluggish at times, Ive had it myself.

[kenny1234]

Hi Ratter15 As a I mentioned in the post ,the car was cranking up normally so I think the battery was fine.---cheers anyway.
Hi bhg481 --glad to hear what you had to say---I shall not park up near a transmitter in future. {hopefully that was the reason}

[bhg481]

We have keyless entry on our car which means that, so long as you have the key about your person, the car will unlock when you pull the door handle and will start without you having to put the key into the lock. Just occasionally when you try to start it it will say "car key not found", so you have to put the key into the lock - just the key and the car not talking to each other. I wonder, in your case, if simply removing the key from the ignition and replacing it would have been enough for the key and the car to communicate with each other and let it start.

[kenny1234]

Maybe bhg!

[bhg481]

Just a further thought on your problem. Just suppose the alarm had been triggered by the wind, someone bumping into it etc, is there any sort of "ritual" you have to go through to reset it? Have a look in the handbook (sorry for the bad language), it could just be that there is a procedure to follow which involves turming the ignition on and off.

[Electrochem]

I used to have a Rover which suffered from the same problem. There were places where I would not park due to their proximity to mobile 'phone masts etc. On one occasion, I had to get the AA out. The guy put his van between my car and the mast, and hey presto!

[kenny1234]

Hi bhg----my car doesn't have an alarm.
Hi eloctrochem---it does sound as though the mast may have caused the problem. I sha'n't be parking underneath one again!!

[bhg481]

When you said "immobiliser" in you question I assumed it was an alarm/immobiliser. Still worth looking in the handbook at immobiliser faults (and parking away from masts).

[Hopkirk]

If it happens again, try locking and unlocking the car before trying again.

That just might be enough to cancel the immobiliser.

[kenny1234]

Hi Hopkirk
As I mentioned in my original post, I took the key out of the ignition and then replaced it. This got me started.The initial problem was 10 days ago now. Since then it has happened on about 4 occasions, the last 3 days ago.
Hyundai said it could be "the pins" in the immobilisor that need tightening. £96!!! At the moment I am driving around hoping it doesn't get any worse.

[kenny1234]

PS
Might it get worse?

[tonyav]

Immobiliser problems on the i 10 seems to be a common problem.

http://www.breakeryard.com/hyundai-car-parts/i10/common-problems-with-hyundai-i10

[Quizproquo]

When DAB radio and telly was switched on in York, one of the Tesco petrol stations' canopies acted like a transmitter and lots of cars would not start under it, so they would fill their cars, get in and nothing. I worked nearby at the time and regularly explained what was happening and promised if we pushed the car off it would start. Most didn't believe me but let me try anyway and were amazed. It was sorted out within a few weeks but quite funny at the time.

[kenny1234]

Thanks again----sounds like I'll have to make a visit to Hyundai if the problem re-occurs.(4 days and counting without the problem).Just wondered if the original place that I parked up[underneath the transmitter] caused a problem that has corrected itself?

[tonyav]

Best of luck, kenny.

[kenny1234]

Just an update----10 days without a problem up to today---it happened this afternoon (took the key out ---put it back in--turned ignition and no problem!!!) Could it be an ignition barrel problem?--Should I give a small sqirt of WD 40??

[kenny1234]

It can't do any harm can it ???