Hi

I have a Fiat Bravo HLX.

Sometimes (not always), the little dash light that looks like a picture of a key illuminates when turning on the ignition. It doesn't stop the car starting or anything, but I thought I'd ask you guys to see what this means.

If I switch the ignition on and off a few times, it goes.

Any ideas?

Thanks

guess you're using the red key or a copy of the red key?

basically with a red key (or copy of it) the code light will stay on every other attempt to start the car. this is how the key programming sequence is activated. the first turn of the key it goes off, second attempt it stays on, third it goes off, fourth it stays on. if you leave the ignition switched off for a few secs it resets so the light will stay off every time if you remove the key and wait between attempts. thats not important, what is important is that you stop using the red key. it wont 'hurt' the car using it, but if you lose that key your buggered as a new key will not be able to program into the ecu wihtout that red key. lots of people seem to use the red key and have this kedy code light problem, usually becuase they buy the car and dont understand the difference between red and blue keys or because the car only has a red key, or because blue keys were lost so red is copied. the solution is to get 2 blue keys, they must have different codes to each other and the red key. what keys do you have? what colour are they? are they all original fiat keys? have you seen the same problem with all keys? (and everyone on the forum says OH NO NOT KEYS AGAIN!! :bang: :bang: :bang: )

Thanks for the reply.

The problem I am having is with a BLUE key.

I have 2 blue keys, and (I think) 2 red ones. I've not tried the other keys for ages (I think the batteries are gone in one of them).

So, seeing as I'm using a blue key, what could the light mean?

If my blue key is a copy of a red one, then could that explain it. If so, how do I get it to stop doing it (I didn't really understand your on/off sequence above).

Thanks again.

with a new car you get 2 blues and 1 red. all 3 keys have fiat written on them. on the hlx both blue keys have a remote button. if thats the case with your keys then ignore me, i get a bit carried away with keys.

if the code light stays on with a blue key all the time it means the ecu has 'lost' the blue key codes, often this results in the car not starting at all. if it only does it sometimes it generally suggests an intermittent ecu fault. as long as the car still starts every time i wouldnt worry about it. you could try reprogamming the blue keys into the ecu using the red key. the precedure to do this is simple and described on the forum in many previous posts (and the sticky key post i think)

Thanks for the reply jug.

The code light on the dash is staying on once in every 4 or 5 ingnition starts. When it does this, the car will now not start. (I have to turn the ignition on and off again).

It is doing this with BOTH blue keys that I have.

I reprogrammed them by following the instructions using the red key, but all is the same.

I took the keys apart, and found the little transponder inside. Could this be the fault?

I assume there must be some kind of reader for this transponder around the ignition area somewhere. Could this be faulty? If so, where is it?

Thanks again

there is a keycode reader on the ignition, and i guess it could be failing to read the key code on occasion. i've never played with it but i remember from other posts it is circular and surrounds the ignition lock. haynes will probably have more info, or try searching previous threads.

the transponder chip in the key never really has any problems unless you smash it, its glass but as long as its in the key it shouldnt ever get damaged. an intermittent problem is more likey to be the keycode reader or the immobiliser ecu may have a fault.