Car won't even attempt to start. Immobilizer?

[Katner]

I'm stranded at my office. When I insert my (jackknife) key into the car and turn it forward I get radio and air blowing, but then when I try to actually start the engine I get nothing but complete silence. The car doesn't even try to start. This has happened in the past and I can usually just wait for a few minutes and it will work. Not anymore.

The immobilizer light flashes rapidly when the key is in the forward position (battery on but not started) so I'm guessing there is something either wrong with the key itself or the immobilizer in the car.

Is there a way to get out of this situation without spending the $150 the dealer quoted me for a replacement key?

 

[j3nsmz5]

I've had something like this happen to my other vehicles; frequent power loss, lights would come on but couldn't start...Turns out I needed a new battery. You may want to look into that first. Get your battery jumped and then tested for performance.

 

[flcruising]

2 things to check...

1) Make sure your car is in park, if it is, try neutral. Unless the neutral safety switch is activated, the car won't start.

2) Check your fuses in the passenger side fuse block, esp. the ones labeled ENG*. I had a no start issue because of a blown fuse (my fault).

 

[Silentnoise713]

The immobilizer light flashes rapidly when the key is in the forward position (battery on but not started) so I'm guessing there is something either wrong with the key itself or the immobilizer in the car.

Typically if a car does not cranking, it's either the security system, dead starter, or bad battery. Do you have two transponders? Does the same thing happen to both? Did you try changing the remote battery?