Unscheduled stops

Q My 1989 Escort has an aftermarket immobiliser fitted. The car’s started to cut out on the move. I can only get going again by stopping, turning off the ignition and resetting the immobiliser. How do I remove the immobiliser? James Toothill, Oxford A Old immobilisers are quite primitive. One or more wires are cut behind the dash – say to the ignition coil and/or an electric fuel pump. These are extended to the immobiliser, which houses one or two relay switches. When running, the relays are closed, completing the circuits. When immobilised, the relays are open or ‘off’.

All you need to do is to locate the device and follow its wires. There’ll be an earth, a 12V supply and the connections to the cut wire(s). Remove the device and its tentacles, then solder the cut wire(s) back together, insulating them well with heatshrink or insulating tape.