Ignition key light flashing

trailblazerxp · 10-12-2004, 07:09

Hi folks,

An intermittent problem has started on my '99 octaviia TDI.

Sometimes when I go to start the car, all lights come on OK pre start, except for the ignition key light, which flashes. If I then try to start the car, engine turns then dies.

It's not a key problem I think as I'm now running with the spare key, and the fault still happens.

Any suggestions please?

TBXP.

***DGW*** · 10-12-2004, 08:49

Does the engine sometimes cut for no reason while you are driving, or is the problem only there on starting?

Kentish · 10-12-2004, 09:13

Fuel pump relay or similar? (or is it relay 109)
Sounds like the common VW problem

trailblazerxp · 10-12-2004, 16:57

It's not relay 109. This was changed some time back after an entertaining "stop" on a busy (3 lane) bridge, during rush hour, with no breakdown lane. Hooboy that was fun......

. And the key light didn't flash when 109 was faulty.... .

No this happens before starting - turn the key so that all lights are on and the ignition key symbol flashes. Not all the time thank goodness, but I'd like to find out what it could be before it goes permanent.

If the light remains solid, I can start the car and run it until I switch it back off. Then it's a lottery as to if the fault will show again.

Lummox · 10-12-2004, 17:05

More than likely the immobilizer loom.

There is a mooded one for Octavia, they made them too tight at the factory and when you pull the steering wheel back/up down on the adjuster it tends to pull the plug out of the reader coil thats around the barrel, this would be my first port of call, after that poss a fault with the reader coil itself.

dbs · 10-12-2004, 19:24

There is a known fault on the reader coil had mine replaced on my last car cost about £80. Its worth geting it done as sooner or later you wont be able to start the car at all.

trailblazerxp · 10-12-2004, 19:52

Was that 80 pounds for supply and fit of the coil reader, or just for the part only?

I'll have a look for this at the weekend, anybody know where exactly on the steering column it's located?

Thanks

TBXP.

Lummox · 10-12-2004, 20:33

The reader coil is a black plastic ring that is part of the barrell itself.

adaadams · 10-12-2004, 20:48

i agree with ross. replace the loom. if you have vag com fault code should be somthing like poor signal from key. if no joy next step reader coil

trailblazerxp · 11-12-2004, 06:55

Thanks everybody, given me a starting point to go from. Don't have VAG-COM sadly, anybody in Glasgow with one?

10-12-2004, 07:09	#1
trailblazerxp Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 22 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Ignition key light flashing Hi folks, An intermittent problem has started on my '99 octaviia TDI. Sometimes when I go to start the car, all lights come on OK pre start, except for the ignition key light, which flashes. If I then try to start the car, engine turns then dies. It's not a key problem I think as I'm now running with the spare key, and the fault still happens. Any suggestions please? TBXP.

10-12-2004, 08:49	#2
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,300 Members Car: Octavia 1.8T 4X4 Estate & Fabia vRS Thanks: 51 Thanked 208 Times in 157 Posts	Does the engine sometimes cut for no reason while you are driving, or is the problem only there on starting? __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.57 mpg...

10-12-2004, 09:13	#3
Kentish Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5,245 Members Car: 4 wheels, 4 doors. Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	Fuel pump relay or similar? (or is it relay 109) Sounds like the common VW problem __________________ Andy Owner of a sense of humour.

10-12-2004, 17:05	#5
Lummox Cupra Bush King Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 22,497 Members Car: Mk2 Golf GTi 16v and building a 20VT MK2. Images: 2 Thanks: 22 Thanked 760 Times in 638 Posts	More than likely the immobilizer loom. There is a mooded one for Octavia, they made them too tight at the factory and when you pull the steering wheel back/up down on the adjuster it tends to pull the plug out of the reader coil thats around the barrel, this would be my first port of call, after that poss a fault with the reader coil itself. __________________ www.unit18.co.uk Remapping Service now available, PM for details.

10-12-2004, 20:33	#8
Lummox Cupra Bush King Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 22,497 Members Car: Mk2 Golf GTi 16v and building a 20VT MK2. Images: 2 Thanks: 22 Thanked 760 Times in 638 Posts	The reader coil is a black plastic ring that is part of the barrell itself. __________________ www.unit18.co.uk Remapping Service now available, PM for details.

10-12-2004, 16:57	#4
trailblazerxp Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 22 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	It's not relay 109. This was changed some time back after an entertaining "stop" on a busy (3 lane) bridge, during rush hour, with no breakdown lane. Hooboy that was fun...... . And the key light didn't flash when 109 was faulty.... . No this happens before starting - turn the key so that all lights are on and the ignition key symbol flashes. Not all the time thank goodness, but I'd like to find out what it could be before it goes permanent. If the light remains solid, I can start the car and run it until I switch it back off. Then it's a lottery as to if the fault will show again.

10-12-2004, 19:24	#6
dbs Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5 Members Car: 1.9tdi (130 bhp) Octavia Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	There is a known fault on the reader coil had mine replaced on my last car cost about £80. Its worth geting it done as sooner or later you wont be able to start the car at all.

10-12-2004, 19:52	#7
trailblazerxp Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 22 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Was that 80 pounds for supply and fit of the coil reader, or just for the part only? I'll have a look for this at the weekend, anybody know where exactly on the steering column it's located? Thanks TBXP.

10-12-2004, 20:48	#9
adaadams Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Birmingham Posts: 509 Members Car: skoda Octavia ll VRS Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i agree with ross. replace the loom. if you have vag com fault code should be somthing like poor signal from key. if no joy next step reader coil __________________ ADE

11-12-2004, 06:55	#10
trailblazerxp Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 22 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks everybody, given me a starting point to go from. Don't have VAG-COM sadly, anybody in Glasgow with one?

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