Fiat Ducato 2.8jtd (2003) intermittent key recognition and starting.

[Fiatducatonewbee]

Hi all first post!

Persistent problem with intermittent starting after the first successful start of the day. All to often ill stop for fuel turn ignition back on and the orange key symbol of doom won't disappear. Sometimes multiple turns will do it and suddenly it gets the signal through to ECU and away we go.
Alotbof times I've had to disconnect battery for 10 mins and it will clear ut and it starts, but not always.

I've broke smdown to many times to mention.

I've had the immobiliser unit changed by an uti electrician and he swapped the chip from the old one so the keys will work and after that problem still persists. I've used contact cleaner on the antenna connector to the immobiliser and I've used contact cleaner on the start to ECU and earned the eath to chassis.

I've changed the fuel fter as occasionally it will cut out of power as if no fuel, but that still happens.

Another auto electrician garage suggested I get a new ECU immobiliser and keys and change it a out to resolve issue, but I can't source them.

I am really fed up with it and want the immobiliser bypassed or removed. I saw a post on here that ericvanbis I think new a way and I emailed him with copy of my V5 but no reply as yet.

If any one here can help me I'd be so grateful

Thanks in advance

 

[Figaro]

There was a recent thread on here and the cause of difficult starting was another set of car keys interfering with the signals.
Do you have another set in close proximity ?

You could also check key fob battery and cab battery earth strap often gets mentioned as a cause of random faults. Put a jump lead from negative terminal to chassis

 

[Fiatducatonewbee]

There was a recent thread on here and the cause of difficult starting was another set of car keys interfering with the signals.
Do you have another set in close proximity ?

Hi no other keys nearer present. I've also taped a spare key to the antenna hoop which doesn't make a difference still intermittent

 

[Baggydave]

At the very least I’d unplug The ignition barrel & clean contacts. If that don’t work change the barrel. I had similar on my last van & after changing (coastal motor homes) it was fine.

 

[Jev88]

Many auto electricians try and fix replace the ECU or the immobiliser unit but often best method is to cut the old immobiliser out altogether.

If you have the Orange "Key Code" light illuminated then don't waste your time trying to start - it won't until the light goes out.

There is a small circuit board bolted to the fuel pump at the front of the engine and this can be cut out by hand (takes time and sharp chisels) and a new 12V live feed wire simply run from battery to pump. This all assumes it is the same as my old 2.5TD Ducato engine.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[brynric]

I saw a post on here that ericvanbis I think new a way and I emailed him with copy of my V5 but no reply as yet.

I’m afraid Eddie has retired and I don’t think he offers this service any more.

 

[GeoffnDee]

Have you tried replacing the engine to body earth cable which is the one that can often cause problems even if it looks ok .
www.vantuner.co.uk have a immobiliser removal service for Iveco Daily vans and may be worth talking to them to see if they can help.

 

[Fiatducatonewbee]

Have you tried replacing the engine to body earth cable which is the one that can often cause problems even if it looks ok .
www.vantuner.co.uk have a immobiliser removal service for Iveco Daily vans and may be worth talking to them to see if they can help.

Thanks alot, I've cleaned the earth on the right side front and tightened, but no difference.

 

[Fiatducatonewbee]

Many auto electricians try and fix replace the ECU or the immobiliser unit but often best method is to cut the old immobiliser out altogether.

If you have the Orange "Key Code" light illuminated then don't waste your time trying to start - it won't until the light goes out.

There is a small circuit board bolted to the fuel pump at the front of the engine and this can be cut out by hand (takes time and sharp chisels) and a new 12V live feed wire simply run from battery to pump. This all assumes it is the same as my old 2.5TD Ducato engine.

View attachment 829470

Hi thanks yeah I've had the intermittent orange key symbol for months which will crank but won't start. Would you be able to put a pic up of where this should be located please ?

And once found your saying simply cutting it out and putting a 12v live from the battery ro the fuel pump will resolve the issue. Is that then essentially bypassing the immobiliser? Where exactly does the live go to on tbe fuel pump?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm no mechanic.

Thanks.

 

[scotjimland]

Immobiliser problem on Ducato motorhome | FIAT Ducato

Hi, I have a 1999 Hymer motorhome based on the 2.8 TD Fiat Ducato. The immobiliser has decided not to recognise the ignition key and at the moment it's stuck on my driveway.I've tried the both the slave and master keys and the engine cranks but won't fire and the CODE warning light on the...

www.fiatforum.com

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GeoffnDee]

Thanks alot, I've cleaned the earth on the right side front and tightened, but no difference.

If you mean the engine to body/chassis earth cable (not the battery one ) they can look ok but still cause problems (resistance in the cable to terminal connection ) , if you add another earth cable from the engine to the body it would eliminate it as a possible cause of the problem and would not cost much for an cable (Halfords or local auto factors )