Vauxhall Insignia Won't Start: Key Sensor Mystery

Hey! I can relate! Had a similar situation with my 2015 Vauxhall Astra 1.4T last year. The symptoms were almost identical, warning lights, central locking going crazy, and starting problems. Turned out it wasn't just the Hall sensor, but the whole key insertion slot was defective. Took it to my local Vauxhall specialist. They diagnosed it properly using their diagnostic tools and found that the key recognition system needed a complete replacement. The job took about 3-4 hours, including programming the new unit to match my key. It was definitely a serious issue since it affected multiple systems and could've left me stranded anywhere. The immobilizer system is tied to various security features, so when it starts failing, it triggers all sorts of warnings. My advice? Don't try to save money by going to a generic shop. Find a certified Vauxhall specialist, they'll have the right diagnostic equipment and knowledge for these specific issues. Got mine fixed six months ago and haven't had any problems since.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know about the key insertion slot. I'm now thinking it might be the same issue with my Insignia. Do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? And has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other quirks popping up? Just want to make sure I'm prepared for what might come!

Hey again! Yeah, I'm happy to help! Just got my Astra back from the mechanic actually, went ahead and had that key insertion slot fixed like I mentioned before. The total bill came to 290€, which included parts, labor, and the programming. While it wasn't cheap, it was worth every penny because it completely sorted out the Hall sensor malfunction I was dealing with. Everything's been running like a dream since the repair, no more warning lights, central locking works perfectly, and the car starts first time, every time. Haven't noticed any other issues popping up either. It's such a relief not having to worry about getting stranded somewhere! I know these electronic gremlins can be super frustrating, but once you get them sorted with the right specialist, you should be good to go. Just make sure whoever works on your Insignia has experience with Vauxhall's security systems, it makes a huge difference. Let me know how you get on with yours!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! I actually just got back from the mechanic today. Took your advice and found a Vauxhall specialist nearby, best decision ever! Turned out you were spot on about the key insertion slot. Mine was totally shot and needed replacing. The whole thing set me back about 310€, bit more than yours but still reasonable considering all the work they did. They had it fixed in about 4 hours, and I'm already seeing a massive difference. No more warning lights, the central locking's working perfectly, and it starts up like a charm every time. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it helped me avoid wasting time with generic shops that might've just made things worse. I'll definitely be sticking with this specialist for future repairs. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction!