R53 won't start - battery appears fine, absolutely nothing when key turned

[techlab2k]

just ask your local car thief! but basically, taking the live to starter from the back of the key barrel. I got so fed up with the problem I started from the key and worked back and solved it in minutes. I had had BM guys with multi-meters and at one stage, an osciliscope, all over the car. It was such a sucker fault that everyone that had a go at fixing it admitted that it had them baffled and they would never have considered changing the faulty part. I guess what I'm trying to say is to systematically look at everything afresh and treat everything as suspect no matter how simple until proven. But good luck anyway as I know how annoying a problem like this can be.

[techlab2k]

Hi, thats the very part. It looked slightly different but the white plastic centre was just deforming. If you can get to yours just put a screw driver in the white centre and turn it and see if your car starts. If it looks ragged then it could be the cause as the part that turns it is metal and can slowly wear down the white nylon. I'm not known for my engineering prowess but this is fault is identical to mine. Good luck.

[conan7772]

We have the same intermittent problem with or R53.
But it's only started happening with our new transponder key.
Also the locksmith couldn't get the central locking to work.
I'm suspecting the immobilizer. There's talk of the transponders losing their programming.
I'm considering having an aftermarket alarm system installed and bypassing the factory immobilizer completely. Way cheaper than going to the dealer.

If you have a manual key use that for a while.
If it starts every time, you'll know it's the remote key causing the trouble.
Good luck with it.

[techlab2k]

Did you get it fixed in the end?

[GeeJay]

Quote: Originally Posted by techlab2k (original)

Did you get it fixed in the end?

Sorry for the delayed reply people - blame mini! haha.

I have indeed fixed this!! It was the ignition switch, as suggested! Although not exactly the same as yours - the centre did turn, just it would't send 12v to the starter. I'm not sure why and I haven't taken the switch apart.

So glad it's fixed, and at a good price too! Many thanks for everyone's help