Avensis Immobiliser Issue

[dspitts]

I bought a 1998 Avensis 1.6 GS on Friday from a private seller. After driving 3 miles home I noticed that the electric sunroof had obviously not been used for some time and was labouring while opening or closing. I subsequently spent about half an hour greasing and operating it with the IGNITION ON but engine not running. The drivers door was open as well the whole time.

When I came to start the engine it would fire up and then stop after a second or so. Tried for about 5 mins but wouldnt't start. Tried the other Grey Key, still no luck. Tried locking the doors, setting the alarm off but still wouldn't start. I called the AA out. They immediately suspected the immobiliser and said they would try to reset it by leaving the key in the ignition ON position for 30 mins (as stated on his laptop!). This didn't work the first time but after the second 30 mins the key was removed, put back in and engine started.

It has been OK since but I am obviously concerned whether there is an intermittent problem with the immobiliser or was there something in the software that caused it to reset due to ignition being on for a long period etc while I was operting the sunroof.

Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.