Starting Problem

W reg 156 2 ltr T spark
great car with hopefully a small problem
two years ago it failed to start at the ferry port and we were pushed off the ferry on a Sunday showing a code error, the 24hr code helpline was on answerphone and we called AA. The patrol arrived checked the code line, same result, so checked his computer found some info which led him to break an electric block connection at base of steering column, re-connect and car fired up straight away - all done.
Since then it has happened a few times but only rarely - same procedure to restore. As an ancient I thought to clean connection, WD40 etc.
Recently became persistent, contacted Dealer who called it in to Canterbury City Centre on the next Saturday morning for an appointment with the Computer Analysis Machine. Meanwhile contacted AA technical help who were reluctant to divulge what is stored on their computer re. car problems but said that WD40 was a waste of time as the contacts were not the problem just a way of breaking the connection to a computer component in the alarm/starting system.
Joined the forum and read a lot about batteries/limp modes/code errors and readers/lamba things etc.. etc. Understood very little but was frightened by the many misdiagnosises by dealers and resulting costs plus plus. After a lot of trouble and attempts the car started and limped home with son at the wheel. The next time I tried it it would not start for me, by accident and finger trouble I managed to set the alarm off whilst at the wheel and key in the ignition. On correcting this using key still in the ignition the car started first time. It would seem that turning the key whilst in the ignition with the doors locked and alarm set, activates the alarm.
Since then I have charged the battery with a second battery connected to avoid any code loss, checked, cleaned and vaselined battery negative terminal and all is well. The spare key was no help but after fitting a new battery in that, is also functioning.
Could not face towing into City Centre on Saturday morning and am relieved not to.
But am I safe for any length of time, car currently behaving impeccably - any one know what has happened?

I once had starting problems on my 166, the code light would stay on and the car would not start. All I did to solve this was to unplug the immobiliser unit and clean the connections. Never had any trouble after that.

Thank you Mitch,

unfortunately my good fortune did not last and the dreaded Code fault returned intermittently

The AA could not solve it and referred me to the dealer. I would like to try your remedy but have no idea where the immobiliser unit is, or even what it would look like. The AA man did not know either.

Does anyone know?

Thank you

Originally Posted by northdownl

Thank you Mitch,

unfortunately my good fortune did not last and the dreaded Code fault returned intermittently

The AA could not solve it and referred me to the dealer. I would like to try your remedy but have no idea where the immobiliser unit is, or even what it would look like. The AA man did not know either.

Does anyone know?

Thank you

Try another key in it if you have one, if that doesn't work there may be a problem with the wiring around the ignition barrel. If someone has been in there before you thay may have damaged it.
Code immobiliser faults are quite rare unless someone has been meddling with the system.

Had a two week break but now back on the case. AA could not fix it but looked at the ignition switch and moved the sensing coil up and down trying to get some consistency re distance from the key - no joy still intermittent. Prior to this it had never been touched.
Still searching for the imobiliser to try Mitch's suggestion. Does anyone know where it is?
Thanks and how do I contact Mitch direct?

This is a fast moving site and it may well be that another query has answered mine
"Immobiliser problems (Yellow key code light)"

I hope so and thanks for the input