1996 DISCO TDi300 Intermitantly wont start with unknown warning light

Hi
I have a starting problem where I turn the key all the usual ignition lights come on, but turning the key further to start and it does nothing, then an additional red warning light comes on with what looks like a picture of a vehicle with a key depicted in the middle, as yet I have not found this light in the manual or by searching the internet.

I guessed that it might be something like the gearbox detection switch (its an auto) to stop you trying to start it when not in park or neutral, anyway fiddling with the gear stick taking keys out and back in again, even rocking the vehicle (somebody suggested maybe a motion switch on the alarm system) doesn't appear to fix it, then suddenly it works until the next time that I stop and have the same problem.

It did this to be a few times about two years ago then fixed itself.

Any suggestions what it might be and what the warning light means. I am scrapping the vehicle in about a months time, but hoping to use it to get lots of building materials first, but don't want it to fail when I have 2 tons of gravel in a trailer behind me.

Thanks in advance

Dave

Spider unit. Symbol on dash is immobiliser error.

If you're very lucky, could just be key fob battery, but probably the spider.

julianf said:

Spider unit. Symbol on dash is immobiliser error.

If you're very lucky, could just be key fob battery, but probably the spider.

Click to expand...

Hi
Thanks for the reply , in fact just before I read your post, I noticed that the key fob didn't seem to be working very well. I have just changed the battery and the fob appears to be locking and unlocking the car batter so maybe that was it, only time will tell.

This must mean that the fob sends a signal to the vehicle all the time? otherwise a flat battery in the fob wouldn't affect it.

If I still have a problem is there anyway to easily override the immobilizer (I know that is a bit of an oxymoron)? I understand that the spider is not easy to change, and as I said the CT (French MOT) is up next month and without lots of welding it won't go through, so it will be going for parts hence I really don't want to spend time or money on it.

Thanks again
Dave

Dave Widgery said:

Hi
Thanks for the reply , in fact just before I read your post, I noticed that the key fob didn't seem to be working very well. I have just changed the battery and the fob appears to be locking and unlocking the car batter so maybe that was it, only time will tell.

This must mean that the fob sends a signal to the vehicle all the time? otherwise a flat battery in the fob wouldn't affect it.

If I still have a problem is there anyway to easily override the immobilizer (I know that is a bit of an oxymoron)? I understand that the spider is not easy to change, and as I said the CT (French MOT) is up next month and without lots of welding it won't go through, so it will be going for parts hence I really don't want to spend time or money on it.

Thanks again
Dave

Click to expand...

Don’t worry about a “spider” u stated your vehicle is an auto therefore it’s not fitted with one. There’s no inbuilt system to override the immobiliser but it inhibits the 12v supply the injection pump and starter motor. There threads already in the Forums on this.