A couple of times I've had problems starting the car, once at a petrol station after filling the car. The first time I stopped the car and after a minute or two tried to start and it wouldn't.

I do the usual starting method, but when I press the start button the starter motor goes but the engine does not start. It's not the battery. I noticed the second time after a few minutes of not starting two lights on the dash flashed (one was engine, the other something next to it I cannot remember) and then it started. I checked the fuses and they seem all okay. I tried the methods as described in the instruction manual.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

More info please!! how does it run in the rev range, any missfires, what fuel are you using? is it due a service?

 

It had a service about 800 miles ago. When I'm driving it there's no problem whatsoever - fine through revs from 0 - 9000 in all gears. No miss-firing. Recently I put in quarter of a tank of 95 octane from some independent petrol station but most usually it's 97 octane from Sainsbury (which was the last fill).

I kind of wondered if it was the engine flooding - but I followed the instructions in the manual and nothing really happened. The first time I just left it for 20 minutes and it started. The second time it started after 5 minutes.

 

Are you sure it's not the battery? I've heard that before!

They go very quickly.

What is your immobiliser light doing?

 

do the electric window auto switch work ?

 

The electrics are all fine (roof, windows, lights) - I tried starting it on a flat battery once and it gives a clicking sound with no turning over and the lights fade, but this time that does not happen - it turns over but the engine does not kick in.

Could it be the immobiliser? I thought when the immobiliser was on then nothing at all happened when you press the start button?

 

The immobiliser inhibits the ignition AFAIK it does not prevent cranking.

 

Check the ground connections, I just a similar issue on my 99.

 

I'll check it out - thanks.

 

Could it be spark plugs?

When were they last changed, how many miles on them.