V50 1.8 starting problem
 

Hi all,

I have a 2006 V50 1.8 with 20,000 miles on the clock, which until last night was trouble free.

When I went to start the car nothing happened (it had been fine 3 hours earlier).
The remote worked fine, unlocked the car, the red flashing alarm light went off. I put the key in and turned it to the point where the starter would normally crank and....nothing. All the usual lights came on (dash lights, headlights etc). But there was nothing. Not even a click from the starter, and no immobiliser warning.

The RAC arrived and came to the conclusion that the battery was fine but that there was no power going to the starter. The RAC man's first thought was that the key may simply be corrupted - so the immobiliser wouldn't recognise it. So I got my spare key and ....nothing - exactly the same symptoms.

(He later read on his computer that if they key isn't recognised you will not be able to turn the key in the dash - anyone know if this is correct?).

The garage has had my car since 5:30 last night. They called this morning when I told them what had happened and they said when they tried it it had failed to start with both keys, then had started with one key and now had a flat battery. They said they'd call back but didn't.

When I called this evening they said they had put it on trickle charge to charge the battery. I asked why they hadn't just put a good battery on to speed up the process but I wasn't given a satisfactory answer. They hadn't even tried to read the 'codes'. I got the distinct impression not a lot has been done (and/or they don't know what the problem is)

Would the codes have been lost if they had taken the battery off?

Any comments from folks - suffered anything similar?

One step forward.....
 

Problem fixed - they ignition switch was faulty apparently.

The bad news is that they have to take off the central console (that surrounds the heater buttons etc etc.

Unfortunately the garage (Lancaster Reading) used the old 'shove a screwdriver in and lever the surround off method' which obviously damaged the trim. New panel on order. Once fitted I won't be going back there again....