Car won't start

**TonyMc** · 16-04-2010,09:35 PM

I have a 1996 Audi A4 1.8 petrol. I drove to the shop this evening and the car ran fine. I came back out from the shop turned the car over, it revved then stopped and thats all its done since.

My suggested that its the immobiliser but I didn't think this year had one. Its never happened before.

If it is this, has anyone else had this problem and if so how did you get round it without spending a fortune?

**matta4** · 16-04-2010,10:01 PM

i would think it would have an immobiliser you need a diagnostic scan on it check all your fuses in case you have blew one first but with the amount of things that could cause a non start your best bet is diagnostics

**matta4** · 16-04-2010,10:02 PM

if you have a spare key try starting it with that too

**TonyMc** · 16-04-2010,10:16 PM

I don't have a spare key.

**matta4** · 16-04-2010,10:17 PM

does it run for a second then cut out when you try to start it?

**olds_kool** · 16-04-2010,10:26 PM

i think all a4's have immobilisers but it wasnt law till 97 so might be wrong
but it sounds like immo fault, pull cluster out out and see if warning bulb has gone

**TonyMc** · 16-04-2010,10:52 PM

To Matta4,

yes mate it does.

**matta4** · 16-04-2010,11:15 PM

Now im 99% sure you have an immobiliser fault. Check all fuses, is the transponder in your key still in place?it may have fell out The pick up may be broken you will need it scanning to see if its faulty or just lost its code i think some early ones can be disabled with vag com but not 100% as we call someone in for key coding and have never needed one disabling. It will be hard to bypass though without the correct software Im sure someone in your area on the forum will know a man who can.

Im sure the immobiliser cuts the engine out after a second if the immobiliser is on or broken

ju1es1970 · 19-04-2010,05:33 PM

how u have explained that matta is the exsact same problem i have had with mine,but mine is tempermental and works after a few turns ov the key but most ov the time its fine, just the odd occassion when it plays up

**matta4** · 19-04-2010,06:34 PM

i believe the system works like this There is a chip in your key and there will be a pick up sensor near the ignition and the immobiliser is in your clocks.
when you insert the key the pick up senses the chip in the key and sends the code from the chip to the immobiliser and turns it off if i am correct on its workings you have a problem with the pick up or immobiliser.We sub out key programming out so im not 100% what testing is required hopefully someone more familiar with immobiliser issues will have a read and enlighten us