My car wouldn't start I have bravo t jet sports 1.4 15000 on clock and tried starting it and it would nt start there was a padlock sign on the dash never happened before any1 had this problem !!!??? Ps the steering lock seem different after ten min so leaving it it now ok any ideas ???

The problem is that it has spent too much time around a bunch of C*troens, and learned their tricks.

The car isn't communicating properly with your fob. Try squeezing the fob a bit that sometimes works on mines. Failing that try changing the batteries in the fob.

The car isn't communicating properly with your key fob. Try squeezing the fob a bit that sometimes works on mines. Failing that try changing the batteries in the fob.

When you put new batteries in the fob ONLY good make ones like energiser or Duracell, pound land ones are crap, cheap batteries cause havoc. Lower voltage and amps than advertised on the packet.

Cheers guys

The problem you are having is because the ECU cannot read the code in the key; so the immobilizer is not disengaged; that triggers the padlock light and does not allow the engine to start.
The battery inside the key has got nothing to do with it! the ecu will still read the transponder code even without a battery; they are passive! for more info you can watch this:


what you can try:
-use second key;
-try moving/jiggling the wires/connector at the base of the electric steering column.
-move the steering wheel in/out/up/down.

Thease are only temporary to see if your car can recognize the transponder. You should also connect something like MES to the car to see if it has codes that can point you in the right dirrection.

Same thing happened to my old '07 Bravo. It was under warranty at the time and Fiat said the car battery (not the keyfob battery) was at fault and it was replaced under warranty. The problem never reoccurred after the battery swap.