Just to add another small problem I'm having with my Verada, just lately I have been having trouble starting the car. Sometimes it starts first go then other times it won't. To get it started I have to press the lock button, then the unlock button on the remote, then kick it over! Sometimes it starts first go, other times like today it took about 15 minutes of doing this to get it going. Car was just winding over but wouldn't start. I let it sit for a bit, went back and it started first go. I'm assuming it has to be something with the immobilize system. What else could it be. If it is this, how do I fix it. Can I get it disconnected but still be able to lock/unlock the car with the remote???

mt first thought was immobiliser from the keyless buttons
but the immob chip is in the key isnt it? (pretty sure it is) and not directly in the keyfobs

maybe its something to do with the ecu not recognising that the car has been unlocked perhaps?
another possible solution - maybe the car battery?
do you have another handyish to be able to try ? (saves buying one to find out its not the problem)

might also be the wire on the ignition stalk,
pull it out and have alook see

When you say it turns over.....

Is this fast or slow?

Sometimes, when a battery is dying, if you leave it for 15minutes, it will have enough to start....

Just a thought.

When you say it turns over.....

Is this fast or slow?

Sometimes, when a battery is dying, if you leave it for 15minutes, it will have enough to start....

Just a thought.

Good point...battery on its way out, or loose or dirty battery terminals, would be the first I'd look at. My wifes KF had a similar prob, and was diagnosed as battery.

Yep, sounds like a battery problem, had a similar issue on my Verada. Battery was the cause.

When you say it turns over.....

Is this fast or slow?

Sometimes, when a battery is dying, if you leave it for 15minutes, it will have enough to start....

Just a thought.
Sorry, should have mentioned that. When it does start, it starts first kick. Battery isn't lagging at all.
Even when it's cranking over, the battery is really strong so I'm thinking it may not be that.

A low battery can cause the ECU to send corrupt signals to the BEM which will cause the imobiliser to kick in. My old bettery was started the car easy as pie but sometimes just stalled the car at start. Try turning the car to "on" for 2 seconds before turning it to ignition and see if it starts, if so it is probably your battery.

Hi,
This problem sounds suspiciously like previous threads I've read in here about a poor connection being made between the Immobiliser antenna (ring around the ignition lock face/barrel) and the ECU. Apparently there is a loom connection under the steering cover or lower dash near steering wheel, and poor connections can have Immobiliser not reading that you are using a "registered" ignition key - it will allow car to crank but prevents starting.

Do a forum Search on "Immobiliser" and you should see several threads - have a quick read and see if some symptoms sound like your experience. A suggested solution is to clean/fiddle/adjust the contacts in the white plug described in these threads, OR cut plug away and solder the relevant wires.

Problem is said to be more common in earlier series of 3rd Gen, but one thread at least mentions it occurring in a TH.
Hope this helps....

I took the car to an auto electrician and he told me it's a problem with more and more models my age. He said that the immobilizer works on rolling codes???. When I got there, the car started first time 3 times then tried again and it wouldn't start. He left the car with ignition on for 25 minutes to find a code and it started first go.
Does anyone know if the immobilizer can be bypassed to stop this happening??

This is something i found whist looking for common problems with the car;

http://martybugs.net/articles/magna-stall.cgi

Worth showing your auto electrician.

Regards,

Shanan.

Try this thread

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61120

It’s a common problem in Magnas. My Auto Electrician said its a problem with some wire that relays the code in your key in the ignition (immobilizer). It gets loose and needs to be soldered back on. The above thread heaps of people have had the same problem.

I brought 2 TJ Advance's, one for each of my girls in April this year. Both cars exhibited a similar problem and I chased the security system for a while too, and the used car warranty, but of course it would never do it in the workshop. My VRX even did it once or twice too, seemingly in sympathy. Swapping keys seemed to fix it occasionally along with all the other suggestions re locking the car etc.

A mate who knew someone who had Magna experience suggested that moisture gets into the throttle body wiring connector plug and causes the problem which is well known in some circles. Easy fix, I pulled them off, gently, and sprayed them with some contact cleaner and compressed air and then dosed them with Lanotec and it has not happened on any of them since.

I blame the detailer who washed the engines to put them in the car yard.

Good Luck
Steve