hi

I have a fiat ducato 15 2.3 which has been converted in to a panel van conversion motorhome. The van was first registered last Sept 04, a few months ago i started having starting problems ie when the key was inserted into the ignition and turned the padlock icon (immoboliser) would not go off. give it a few seconds and try again and it would work, now when it happens it doesnt recognise my key code for hours, therefore making the vehicle unusable. It has been back to the local fiat garage twice now and as far as they are concerned there is no problem as when they test it it works fine. Packed the van up to go away on friday and went to start the engine and i was locked out. therefore we couldnt go away and the van has sat on the drive all weekend (remind me never to buy fiat again). Had the AA out and when he put it onto his diagnostics machine it stated that there was no problem being registered. fiat have said that if i can get to them (that is if it ever starts again) they will recheck it. Plus when the van does start i am afraid to take it out as I can guarantee that if i have to stop (ie turn the engine off) for petrol or if i stall that it will restart. I am at my wits end. we have a holiday booked in a few weeks that i am considering cancelling becuase i darent take the van out of the drive even when it does start. where do i go from here guys, this motorhome was a dream come true and my dream has now being shattered.

keith

update

fiat dealer now thinks that is is the key code box that is causing the fault and has ordered a new one, but i am not get too excited yet

chopper

most likely will be the code box. you need to stand your ground with the dealer on a fiat this new

I had the same problem with my Fiat Ducato 2.8 van,immobilisor kept playing up sometimes worked sometimes not.
I had the whole immobilisor bypasssed solved the problem,but if yours is a 2004 model is it still not under warrentie ?If so get Fiat to fix it as it can be expensive if you have to do it yourself.

AS ducato is still under warranty my local fiat dealer has replaced the key code bos with a new one, so at last it is now at home and I wait with baited breath as to see if this has solved the problem..

Keith