i think the vr6 will start regardless of how much oil you have ( i have a oil leak), also i read a while back about someone asking if his engine will be ok because he started it without oil, also it would be harder to start the secound time round as the oil level would of droped a tine bit, also the imobiliser would not be effected by the heat as its all in behind the dash and the ecu, but it sounds the same as a imobiliser the way it staarts and stops affter a like 3secs, have a good look at the grounds around the engine, also have you tryed using the other key the chip might be damged in you