Technical yellow dashboard symbol

[steve w hebburn]

hi, on driving my 55 plate multijet,on friday afternoon, a steady yellow( non flashing) symbol came up on the dashboard. it looks like half a car with a padlock. my m8 says its a immobiliser fault maybe linked to ignition key. i pulled over & switched the ignition off then back on. it has not reappeared and i have used the panda a few times since. anything to worry about, guys? cheers, steve

 

[varesecrazy]

Read the fault codes..

It may well be a momentary loss of chip signal.

But the code should tell the tale

 

[Sweetsixteen]

It's telling you that the car does not completely recognise the signals from your key.
Often, this is a one-time hiccup, and as you said, it may not show up again. If the car starts normally then you can ignore it, but it is a wake up call to check over the car's basic electrics - battery condition, fuses etc.

 

[DaveMcT]

Mine does it occasionally though I have no reason to suspect the electrical systems. The immobiliser antenna can be weak so changing that is worth doing.

 

[portland_bill]

Try the spare key.
Make sure it is handy.
If you don't have a spare, getting one is now urgent.

 

[jrkitching]

Mine does it occasionally though I have no reason to suspect the electrical systems.

Mine too.

Perhaps once every two years or so; the car still drives normally with the immobiliser light on, and it resets once the car restarts.

If it happens more often, then it's worth investigating further.

 

[steve w hebburn]

hi, guys thanks for the replies. i only have the blue key, newish battery fitted. no faults codes on my maxiscan ms300. & where is the immobilliser antenna fitted ? cheers, steve

 

[jrkitching]

Mine uses the type 2 key system, so this is a common issue across both key types.

Interesting that when this happens, the immobiliser deactivates (the car does start), but the warning stays on.

i only have the blue key

I would not want to own any modern car without having two fully working keys; if one fails and you have no backup, the recovery options may be both limited and costly.

The sensor for the transducer is, I believe, in a ring around the ignition switch. Some folks have disabled the immobiliser by removing the transducer from a working key and mounting it permanently next to the sensor.

 

[Kronkron]

Mine does it occasionally though I have no reason to suspect the electrical systems. The immobiliser antenna can be weak so changing that is worth doing.

Happens occasionally to me as well, probably about 4 times over the last 90k miles, but turning the motor on and off again quickly sorts it.

 

[DaveMcT]

hi, guys thanks for the replies. i only have the blue key, newish battery fitted. no faults codes on my maxiscan ms300. & where is the immobilliser antenna fitted ? cheers, steve

The antenna is a black ring (under the plastic covers) around the ignition lock. But simply swapping it out might not solve the problem and they are not especially low cost.

You can get key chips cloned . A forum search will show members who do this.

 

[steve w hebburn]

hi, guys thank you for the info. if i do break down my bro has a galaxy, and i have a straightbar. amber beacon, & a "on tow" magnetic numberplate. ha ha .hope i dont need them. regards, steve

 

[A3jeroen]

Mine does that when I wait too long to turn the key after putting it in the ignition. I think it's even mentioned in the manual.

gr J

 

[portland_bill]

The light can also illuminate if the key is turned too quickly. The car starts, but both computers have not had time to agree the immobiliser so the light is put on.

Correct starting procedure.
Turn key to ign. (all dash lights on)
Fuel pump will run to pressurise the system, glowplug light may illuminate briefly, longer on colder days.
As soon as glowplug light extinguishes, turn to start.

Even if in a hurry, don't jump in and turn the key directly to start, as this may cause the light to illuminate. On a cold day, it will also waste fuel as it is pushed through unburnt as it tries to fire in a cold combustion chamber, let the glowplugs do their stuff.

Get a spare key asap.