Bongo Fury

Hi, yesterday I had 3 tyres replaced - background. Facelift 2000 diesel automatic.

Today, I turned on the ignition and automatically pressed the brake (which I think felt normal), then noticed no ignition lights were on. I turned off and on again, pressed the brake to wiggle the gears (brake is now rock hard). I seem to remember that after you turn the ignition on there’s a tiny release click within the ignition barrel. I can’t hear that and no amount of wiggling is releasing either the brake or the ignition.

Husband suggested he pushes Bongo forward and I press the brake hard - nothing.

Contacts at battery ok. Driver window opens (starter battery). Where do I find the earth please?

Battery meter inside Bongo (part of conversion unit where you switch between leisure and starter to see signal strength) shows starter battery is good.

Does anyone have any ideas please?

Do you have an immobiliser Jill, if you don't start straight away they will cut-in after a few minutes after opening a door as well ? The fact that the window is working suggests that there is power there.

Immobiliser - yes but no delay between getting in and trying to start. The lights appear to be flashing correctly! Slow flash while getting in, fast flash when you put the key in the ignition.

Cabin light works.

Update: two 60amp fuses behind the radiator stopped (on left). No change. Fuses behind starter battery checked. Fuses to right of steering wheel checked, all ok.

Hi Jilly, the brake pedal going hard is normal, nothing to worry about.

It's just the vacuum has been released from the servo by pressing the pedal and it will return to normal as soon as you get it started.

As for the not starting, not sure, but I'm with Geoff that the imobiliser is somewhere to begin.

Earth: if you follow the lead from the negative battery terminal it will be bolted to the body somewhere, that's your earth.

We tried to follow the earth but it’s so awkward to see under the driver seat!

Geoff - tried unlocking (central locking) opening door, steady flashing light until key goes into ignition, then fast flashing. Turn key - nothing. Take key out, back to steady flashing. Lock. Out of range, into range, repeat. No luck.

To eliminate the earth just put a jump lead from the negative terminal to some clean metal.

If there's no change then it's very unlikely to be an earth problem.

Bob wrote: Sun Jan 13, 2019 1:02 pm To eliminate the earth just put a jump lead from the negative terminal to some clean metal.

If there's no change then it's very unlikely to be an earth problem.

Good idea Bob thanks

Update: I found the problem. It’s the immobiliser fob on my key ring. Tried with Terry’s set and it worked fine. Thank you to everyone that helped out on here, Facebook and Royston on the phone. Much appreciated.

Turns out I need to go back to Sterling re the immobiliser or perhaps get another installed.

Nice one Jilly.

Really glad you and Tonto are sorted.