How can I fix my Citroen Saxo Coded Engine Immobiliser acting intermitenly?

You can disable the immobiliser, but you need to be able to start the car at least once. So if you have the intermittent problem, keep trying to start the car until it fires up and idles. Once the engine is running, locate the black plastic immobiliser in the passenger footwell, behind the fuse box. Unplug this while the engine is running. Your immobiliser is now disabled and you can start the car without a chipped key. You won't ever see the flashing key-light again, but the box has to stay disconnected.

If your immobiliser broke completely and you can't get it to start at all anymore this method won't unfortunately work for you.

MrC
September 2021

This has been doing my head in for years. Only usually takes a matter of seconds to start though n about 3 tries. Seems to be worse in winter/cold?! Which is why I take key out and rub on jeans! Will dig out spare key.
Battery been off for a charge this week, so will see if its cured since then, for a while at least!

Jannie
March 2013

hello every1 ive got a saxo 1.1 and my key immobiliser has packed up what do i do plzhelp

matthew
February 2013

my key just dont work need help

daniel
October 2012

hola aver si alguein me puede ayudar tengo un citroen saxo 1.1 año 2000 q, no arranca a estado en citroen no han dado con el fallo puede q, sea la centralita me dijieron en la casa ya no se q, hacer porfavor ayudarme

angelillo
July 2012

hi im haveing the same problem i whent to nexts stop the car come back to the car wont start changed the starter morter thinking it was that but the key light is flashing on the dash bord please help me

michael
July 2012

straightwire from coil to ignation barral

mark haspell
April 2012

Hi Guys,
I am having a mass of problems at the moment. I have a 2002 Saxo VTS. It wouldnt start the other day out of the blue. The key light on the dashboard would flash and the car would only turn over (but wouldnt start).
I have had the aerial replaced and a garage has tried to re-code the key but to no avail. I am now told by the dealership it is my transponder box???
I will be picking it up this week-end at a charge of £33. Do i have to get the dealership to re-programme it for me or can i do it myself?

Thanks

Matt
August 2011

i had the same problem so i set fire to my car it never worked since lol

chris
September 2010

if you get the beeping sound & the immobiliser won't let you enter the code, it's highly likely that you have at first entered the code incorrectly, thus, the car thinks it is being stolen.
to remedy this, take the keys out of the ignition, make sure that the handbrake & steering lock are applied. lock the car & give it about half an hour for it to reset itself.
hopefully, this should do the trick.

ryan g
September 2010

Same problem with my daughters Saxo 1.1i, the forums recomended changing the trasponder in the steering columb, this I did and it s been good ever since. It cost £17.99 from the main dealer.
Only problem I had was the anti tamper screws holding n the covers around the columb, but if you know just get hold of the realvent screw driver before starting this job.

Spokes
March 2010

just dont buy a saxo lol the good cars when running tho! have got the same problem. my hearters stoped workin and my power sterring plus back demister. fixed it now ave got the key problem lol any one no if its the fuse or key ariel?????

kye tomlinson
January 2010

I recently bought a 2000 Saxo 1.1 with this issue, I have fitted a new transponder aerial £17.45 from Citroen main dealer and we had no issues for two weeks - Today it failed and would not restart for 1 hour when I put the key bak in it worked again - No idea what is needed next

Paul Boxer
December 2009

Hi i have a 1999 saxo vts i took the battery off too charge it and now the key symbol on the dash flashes and it wont let me start it up, ive tried locking and unlocking the car with the central locking several times but no hope ??? i need to get it to garage to do mot repairs at this rate it will never be fixed 'grrr =[.

VTSRIK
November 2009

For Anyone Reading This Noe. I Know It Sounds Silly But I Had The Same Problem Where The Imobiliser Light Was Flashing And The Engine Wouldnt Run. But Because I Accident Joined Two Incorrect Wires And Tried To Start It, It Simply Blew The Ignition Fuse. So Just Check And Replace If Need Be. I Spent Ages Tryna Find Out What Was Wrong. Haha

Matt
September 2009

hi andy does your daughters car have the same fault with the key flashing on the dash? because it could also be the chip in the key. i am under the impression that you need it replacing and programming. i also recommend tryig your spare key if you have it. otherwise i would go for aerial

luke
September 2009

my furio does eactly the same iv have had a ellectrician look at mine and he thinks if i get the ecu unloked it will not use an chips or the aerial an should just run its a pain in the arse myn does it but sumtimes wont start for days

matty
May 2009

aright iv gt a saxo vtr at first i turned my car on and the immobiliser light was flashing so i went to the battery and took the negative conection off then put it back on then it went off then i was able to start the car bk up but then i went to my car again turned the key and the light come up again and i tryed the battery again but nothing and when u turn the key the ligh comes up anh afta few seconds it starts flashing but i dno wt to do now any 1 had this problem do i hae to get a unlocked ecu to take the codes off

liam
May 2009

My Saxo does the same, all i do is take the key out of the barrel, then put it back in, this has worked for the last year.

Matty
October 2008

It works. Since i've changed the part there hasn't been a single problem.

Leo
September 2008

it's the transponder aerial! i read on another site and YES! it does work and only costs about £20 (or less!!)

This had been a real problem for us, no garage we took it to knew what to do, thank god for the internet and google, you can do this job yourself and it will take you about 5 minutes total time and no more starting headaches - nice one!

hoonose
August 2008

I've got exactly the same problem. I also spent 30 mins in a car park trying to get the car to start and trying* to be patient!!! I'll try the aerial as the poster Andy mentioned above, ordered it from citroen today for £17.45, and let you know if it works. Also for future posters that have the same issue!

Leo
July 2008

you need to buy a new key aerial it fits on the ignition barrell where you put the key in just bought one and fitted it in 10 min they cost (for mine S reg )£17 95

andy
June 2008

We should start a `Saxo key problem` club. My daughter has a `S` reg saxo and it wont start at all! In the past, we just needed to give the key a few gentle taps with the thumb and that would resolve the problem. Not any more. For the last three days, the damn thing is`nt having any of it.
Any ideas??????? PLEASE!!!!

Ian Sheriff
February 2008

Hi Can you please advise me what happened to you car, did you get it fixed. My ones done exactly the same?

Darren
March 2007

i know exactly what your going through. i have recently purchased a 1.1 1998 citroen saxo and the same light flashes. i spent 2 hours in a tesco carpark because this light wouldn't let me start my car.

matt
December 2006