PaulH

Thanks for all the advice, particularly on the batteries. Tried to start the car this morning with the replacement Banner battery. Immobiliser light was flashing with the usual steady red pulse. Held the fob next to the steering column and immobiliser appeared to disengage but on pressing the starter just got a very rapid clicking noise and nothing else. Took the keys out, in again, immobiliser disengaged fine but still rapid clicking. Plan B: Removed the replacement Banner and re-attached original Banner, having been on the CTEK conditioner all week. Immobiliser disengaged when held right next to the steering column (seems to be very sensitive to where exactly you hold it) and the car started first time! Yee hah!! Still leaves the problem with the replacement Banner, also now plugged in to the CTEK - wonder if it's a dud? New Voltmeter arriving today so I can answer Jonathan's question - last one appears to have suffered an untimely demise. Thanks for all the help, Paul

Thanks for all the comments, both on the battery life and the immobiliser. I will try the spare key with the other immobiliser fob as the next step and see if that makes any difference, and also check the displayed voltage. It sounds like BigCol's issue was very similar, so I may end-up needing to reprogamme both fobs and/or switch to the other type of immobiliser. Given this sounds like a fairly regular occurrence for others as well, is there any advice on a) is there a "recommended" battery if Banners aren't very resilient, and b) can anybody let me have the details of the other 'contact'(?) immobiliser with a view to replacing the sterling one for something more user friendly? Thanks, Paul

Been away for a few weeks but decided today was the day to get out in the sunshine again . Discovered the battery was flat - again - they don't seem to stay charged for very long? Replaced with a spare new fully charged identical Banner battery whilst first battery goes on the reconditioner. The power comes on fine and the fuel pump primes no problem. The (sterling) immobiliser flashes normal steady red pulse until I turn the key to stage 2 to disengage the immobiliser. It then flashes red very rapidly but fails to disengage. Repeated efforts (like about 20!) all yield the same result. Tried removing and reinserting the keys several times - no difference, and disconnecting and reconnecting the battery after about 30 seconds - also no difference. Any ideas? Thanks, Paul