What does the flashing car with key Symbol mean?

Tiny
NEILOLSSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
  • 87,000 MILES
Since yesterday my car has started to not start when I turn the key in the ingition. A flashing symbol of a car with a key in it appears and doesnt go away,

it takes around 6-7 times of turning the ignition and pushing the gas to get it to work.

Wondering what I need to do?
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Monday, October 1st, 2012 AT 1:54 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Sounds like the anti theft is not letting it start. When it doesnt start does it crank and not start or no crank no start?
Sometimes the immobilizer has a hard time reading the key due to minute metal shavings building up in the key tumbler. The fact that it eventually will start makes me wonder if that is the issue. Try using some canned computer air (For cleaning keyboards) and spray it in the key tumbler (Wear eye protection)

See diagram below, you can see what Im talking about
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Monday, October 1st, 2012 AT 3:42 PM
Tiny
NEILOLSSON
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi and thank you for coming back to me, it does crank and then not start. And after about 6 times of this it eventually starts.
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Monday, October 1st, 2012 AT 3:45 PM
Tiny
EXOVCDS
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,883 POSTS
A scan tool can be used to communicate with the immobilizer to see
fault codes. If a fault is stored, then you can start with that.
If no fault is stored, then you need to check the individual components.

If you have a second key, try using it for a while to see if that
alone makes a difference.

Thomas
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Monday, October 1st, 2012 AT 4:37 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Thanks for the assit thomas.
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Monday, October 1st, 2012 AT 4:45 PM
Tiny
NEILOLSSON
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi,

thanks alot for coming back to me appreciate it. I don't have a second key for the car, was only given one. I will ask my local garage if they can scan it for me to see if it will be fixed.

Thanks,

Neil
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Monday, October 1st, 2012 AT 4:46 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welcome thats what were here for make sure they have a advanced scan tool that will read full function European cars anti theft etc. Please post what they find.
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Monday, October 1st, 2012 AT 7:49 PM

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