Last week, went out for an errand, returned to the car and it
wouldn't start .
The immobilzer/key icon on the dash was flashing.
Left the car where it was over night, car started as normal next
morning. Went out today for another errand, came back to the car -
it wouldn't start, immobilizer light flashing again. Got a tow to the
dealer, and car started immediately it was lowered to the ground.

The service writer acknowledged the intermittent nature of the
problem and had his guy check it out. The mechanic was not able to
get a definite diagnosis because it was now working normally.
He told me that the next time it occurs take note of the amount of
times it flashes.
Apparently if it flashes a few times then stops it means one thing, and if
it keeps flashing for as long as the key is in the "on" poisitionm, it
means something else.
Two different repairs, both $500 +. The mechanic mentioned possible immobilzer receiver,
or switch/electrical portion. For now, they didn't charge me anything and I drove the car
home waiting for a possible occurrence. The intermittent nature of the problem bothers me.
Could it be just a loose connection somewhere?
Anybody come across this before? Thanks for any info.

 

I do not recall a hidden code within the blinks of the immobilizer indicator on the guage cluster. It will blink while cranking to indicate a problem. It will blink after you shut off the engine to indicate that there is no problem.

The problem could be in the key, the immobilizer, the ECM or any connection between. Could be a voltage problem with the vehicle battery. Could be so many things that they did the right thing by not recomending a repair. It probably would have been a waste of money.

Does this symptom happen with one particular key or with any of your keys?

 

It happens with all three keys. The service writer actually had the
mechanic himself come over and talk to me, and he described the above.

Perhaps I'll check the battery terminals are clean and tight, and check the fuses
also. The whole thing bothers me a little because just over a year ago, I had to have the whole thing reprogrammed. At the time there was a battery issue, which
pretty much went flat while attempting to crank the engine. I had the reprogramming
+ new battery and it's been fine until now.
I wonder if I have a battery draw or a bad connection somewhere resulting in less
voltage reaching the ECM and associated components ?