Vectra Immobiliser problem and TOAD Ai606

[jaw838]

First post so be kind folks! haha

Right here's the problem, I got a Veccy 2.2 SRi 150 with a TOAD Ai606 system and all was fine till I spent the day washing the pesky carriage! Spent most of the day with the radio/CD on and although I was able to start and move the car mid-way through by the end of the day it was as dead as a doornail and wouldn't start, no lights or horn even.

I hadn't set the Ai606 into Valet mode - as I didn't know about that option until after the event.
Managed to charge the car battery back up using a power charger/starter but still not joy.
Although I had been advised by the previous owner not to use the original Vauxhall key fob buttons or use the key in the drivers door I must admit to trying these methods in desperation!
I did wash the paintwork (only) in the engine surrounds and was careful not to get the engine wet; I did try and flush out some crud in the bulkhead drain areas BUT again was careful not to get water in the plastic section under the wipers (where the ECU resides).

What's happening:
- The TOAD system appears to arm and disarm the central locking and immobiliser as expected. Once disarmed the LED, having been solid red, is switched off once the ignition is switched on.
- Both of my TOAD alarm fobs seem to work as before (not sure when their individual batteries were last changed)
- After the car goes through its check sequence the immobiliser light (the spanner over the car shape) on the dash continually flashes.
- The car turns over fine but doesn't fire.
- I have also tried the emergency disarm feature using the ignition key and the PIN no to match with the appropriate number of LED flashes but that didn't help either. TBH I didn't think that was going to help as I believe both my fobs are OK anyway.

So, I'm looking for your thoughts on where the problem may lie please folks and hopefully a resolution which will get the car going again.
Thanks in advance ...

[Galahad]

Possibly the Vauxhall key has gone out of sync with the car, flashing engine management light means immobiliser problem.

Theres no possibility the chip has dropped out of the key has it?

Failing that, charge the battery right up, disconnect from car for about 5 minutes to ensure complete drain down of the power circuits, reconnnect battery and then try the Vauxhall key.

If that still doesn't work, try a spare key if you have it, its definately immobiliser related, but not Toad related.

[MR_TOAD]

Possibly the Vauxhall key has gone out of sync with the car, flashing engine management light means immobiliser problem.

Theres no possibility the chip has dropped out of the key has it?

Failing that, charge the battery right up, disconnect from car for about 5 minutes to ensure complete drain down of the power circuits, reconnnect battery and then try the Vauxhall key.

If that still doesn't work, try a spare key if you have it, its definately immobiliser related, but not Toad related.

Must agree with Galahad

I do beleive the fault lies in the car

Regards Ian

[jaw838]

Thanks Galahad and Mr Toad ... my thoughts are that the problem is on the Vauxhall side rather than TOAD so will try this out :-)

[jaw838]

Ok here's my update chaps ...

Charged up the battery and then disconnected both terminals on the battery.
Left the car for about 15 minutes may be a little more before reconnecting the terminals.
Then went about trying to start it, still no joy as the Vauxhall Immobiliser warning light in the dash flashed on, went off for about 3 secs then restarted flashing (as in previous tests).
I tried using the Vauxhall key in the door the lock and unlock the doors, made no difference.
Also tried using the spare key in the doors and ignition too but t'is no different.

As a side note I have not yet reentered the code on the radio, not that that shou;d make a jot of difference. And also the multidisplay on the dash still doesnt register the correct date and time, it also has the CHECK indicator illuminated.

Again, your thoughts and ideas are appreciated folks.

[gra11]

any chance you have moved the steering shroud in all your cleaning? if so it could be the fact the transponder ring has dislodged itself slightly as to not read the chip in the key.

[Dav1d]

Disconnect battery.
Ignition on, leave keys in.
Remove battery terminals.
Go under the scuttle panel and remove the cover to get to the ecu.(not the actual ecu cover)
Remove the ecu.
Remove the plug.
Look at it for signs of getting wet.
If you have an airline of some description, blow the plug dry.
If you can, remove the screw and prise the plug apart. Don't lose the inner rubber surround for the plug.

Water in the ecu plug causes various random faults.

Once its dry, replace ecu, and with keys back in ignition in position 2, reconnect battery.
With the drivers door open, press lock (this is standard to resync the remote central locking feature).


See if that helps.

[jaw838]

Thanks Dav1d ... I will try this out tomorrow so long as it's not raining! Was thinking whilst bored at work that removing the ECU might be worth a punt.
I shouldn't have disrupted the steering lock area gra11 but will remove covers and check anyway.
Cheers guys; hope to post results Friday or Saturday depending on the weather.

[Galahad]

Also check you key to make sure the chip is still in there!

[jaw838]

I have checked both keys Galahad, they have the transponder chip thing in the key part.
Plus, I've opened them up and checked the pull-out box section, also tried a new battery in them too.
Cheers man.

[jaw838]

Right so now I'm confused!
Is the location of the ECU different on the 2.2 models ?? The reason I ask is that in the position that I was expecting to find the ECU is the TOAD control box instead.
Is the ECU on the drivers side somewhere then?

[Dom]

I've just skimmed over the thread but have you tried removing the car battery for half and hour then trying again ?

I know some cars have triggered their immobilisers when the battery has got low and a simple reset like the above has cured the problem.

[jaw838]

The first attempt was about 15 minutes I reckon Dom.
I've had the battery disconnected now for about an hour or so charging, was trying to locate and unplug the ECU as suggested by Dav1d but it ain't where we/I expected
Will retry connecting the battery again shortly -- fingers crossed!

[Dav1d]

If it's not under scuttle have a look at back of engine near above where gearbox meets (just a guess, but thats where it is on later 1.8's).
Probably has 2 plugs instead of one.

[jaw838]

wahooh

All sorted now - reckon the extended disconnect did the trick ... she's burbling away nicely now.
Many thanks for all the good advice chaps.

[Dom]

Good news Thanks for letting us know.

[stacybyrne]

Hi, I had the same problem on saturday. I found this thread this morning and much to my delight I headed to where my car was and done the things you've done and successefully I now have car back at home!

I did try starting car and the battery if flat, so I will need to charge up battery, but I'm glad to have it back working again!

I have no flashing warnning lights or anything now so fingers crossed it'll stay like that.

Have you had any probelsm with your car since then???

[jaw838]

Nah mine's be fine ever since ...

[graham01]

Hi

My Vectra 2.5 gsi v6 seems to be doing the exact same as above. It all started when the battery for no apparent reason went flat one night last week. I started the car on boost cables (did not know the damage these could do and did it as usual) the car started. I took the car to the local garage and had petrol put in as it was low. The car started no problem at the garage and when at home later. Unfortunately I did not take the car for a long run nor did I charge the battery up . A few days later I checked the car and it started no trouble at all. The car was entered the next day by me for some papers in the glove box but I did not start the car.The following day the battery was flat again. (and I mean flat dead not glimmer of light anywhere) So back on with the jump leads. Car now turn over but no fire at all. Tried a tow off, the engine turned over fine under tow but once clutch put in car stopped. (no lights on ignition at all or speedo rev etc) Car now turns over but still no fire.

I have sort of concluded it seems like fuel problem (immobiliser). First is there any way to bypass immobiliser to test this theory or not? Secondly I do not have a spare key. It is the sort of vauxhall key with a cube on it with open shut electric and batt compartment in it. It appears to have a small chip in the key above the batter compartment, as the key fell to bits last time i had it started (although the car did start after I put the key back together again once). If not any idea where or who I can ask in my area to check problem (obviously at a cost) second does anyone know where I can get a new transponder and remote and have it synched etc at my home address in a hurry as the car is needed this week if poss.

Have to add as well there does not appear to be a spanner light flashing. Engine light stable all time

Thank you in anticipation ?

Graham

[Paul]

How old is your car?