My wife called me today to tell me that our tC would not start. She said that the key would not turn and that the engine imobilizer light was flashing. She finally got it started, but it did the same thing to her 20 min. later. I went to where she was and could not duplicate the problem with any of the three keys for the car.

My guess is that the wheel was locked and she didn't think to turn it slightly. That does not, however, explain the engine imobilizer light that should be off when the key is in the ignition. Also, every car we've ever owned has a steering lock, and I don't think my wife is that stupid.

Anyone heard of anything like this?

 

Haven't heard of anything like it.

Key -> In = Light -> Not Flashing

As for not turning, probably the wheel. Just sounds like User Error. Especially if you could not replicate it.

 

you are correct about the stearing wheel possibably needed to be turned a little to get the key to turn.... but the immobilizer doesnt make sense to me

 

this happened to me to and i wondered wtf this isnt working and its brand new. is this a stick shift? if so, MAKE SURE THE CLUTCH IS ALLLLL THE WAY IN. when u push it all the way back and do it it should work. i cought myself a few times after that not pushing it in all the way and then i pushed it in harder and it worked. This might be a mechanical thing i dont know about, but sounds like my story if it is a 5 spd.

 

are there lots of keys on keyring?
Manual says if key ring or keys touch the key it could mess up the signal from key.

 

Same thing happend to my wife she calld me frantic from the store parking lot couldnt get the key to turn and the car wouldnt start same combo she had to wiggle the steering wheel in the tc more so than any other vehicle we have owned in the past and also she didnt have the clutch in all the way just my 2 cents

 

If the key won't turn at all, it's not the clutch sensor. If the clutch isn't all of the way down, the key will still turn, it just won't do anything.

 

steering wheel must have been locked. as for the immobilizer, must be some interference with the keyfob. make sure per the manual that there is nothing that can exhibit interference with the fob.