[SOLVED] Won't start with remote fob (2003 2.0 HDi)

[benoliver999]

Just picked up a 2003 2.0 HDi M59 and there are some central locking/key gremlins.

One issue that is easy to explain here: the car won't start if I use the 'remote' fob. The engine just turns and turns.

The 'normal' key works fine.

I'm thinking of taking it into a local guy, but wondered if anyone had seen this here?

So far I've tried swapping the fob battery out, but no joy.

[cancunia]

Welcome.

It's probably the small transponder chip missing from the key fob. Without it, the immobiliser won't be disabled. If you look on the plastic head of the non remote key, you should see a small cover near the shaft of the key, behind that will be the transponder chip.
I'm not sure if it's a good idea to try to get the chip out, but others may have some advice on that.

[my mucker]

is there a transponder in the fob key ?? i am not up on these things, but just a thuoght !!!

[Trevor]

is there a transponder  in the fob key ?? i am not up on these things, but just a thuoght !!!

Indeed there is

[my mucker]

is there a transponder  in the fob key ?? i am not up on these things, but just a thuoght !!!

Indeed there is

Hello Trev my response was to 1st post not cancunia !! when i answered it cancunia wasn't up there , although it looked like a response to cancunia ,haha

[benoliver999]

Aah that makes sense. I can see the gap in there where it's supposed to go. It probably flew out when some tried to change the battery.

I'm going to start by trying to fix this, then see if that has any effect some of the central locking woes I'm having.

Is it worth getting a chip online or just getting a whole new fob somewhere like Timpsons?

[cancunia]

Transponder chips need to be coded / registered with the car via Lexia or Diagbox software. A little searching around will get more info on that.
A new remote fob will cost more than a new normal key & will still need to be coded. I'm not sure if you can just buy the transponder chip for the remote fob & code it to the car, maybe someone else on here will have more info on that or a few calls to some local locksmiths.
Personally, if it's not possible to just get a chip, I'b be tempted to get a new ordinary key, get it coded to the car and get the chip out of either the old key or the new one. Keys cut to a photograph can be had for about £20 on eBay.

Remote central locking also uses a transponder but that's easier to register with the car and can be done with the remote key in the ignition, but my guess is that the remote key will need a working immobiliser transponder first.

[benoliver999]

I've seen some chips online, I'll make a few calls re: getting them coded and see where I get.

Does central locking work with the ordinary key? Right now it doesn't seem to do much - I think maybe it's only doing the driver side sliding door.

[my mucker]

The "ordinary key " will work central lock ing on drivers door only !! you can unlock passengers door with key ,when you open passenger's door the rest of doors will unlock !! at least it did on mine !! because i used my ordinary key for some time while my fob key was waiting to be repaired !!

[benoliver999]

Interesting! I've only had the car a few days and haven't had time to figure it out, but there's definitely something similar going on. Sometimes I'll find doors unlocked when I wasn't expecting it! I'll have to test it out more thoroughly.

Sounds like the fob definitely needs sorting.