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Ducato 1997 Ducato 10 Motorhome

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Ducato 1997 Ducato 10 Motorhome

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bigaljo

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Hello there,
I have just joined the Forum as I have just purchased a 1997 Fiat Ducato and I am already struggling to find info on the vehicle...possibly due to its age. I am hoping that someone may be able to assist.

The first query is in regards to the code light on the dash an the Red Key.:bang:
When I collected the vehicle from the dealer I noticed that the code light was lit. I queried this but the sales guy said that possibly the system needed re-setting but he was unsure how to do it, and of course there was no mechanic available:(. He did however stress the importance of not losing the Red Key.
As the vehicle started ok I agreed to take the vehicle and to question their mechanic when he was available. The code light was not on when I test drove the vehicle on purchase but they had to service it etc before collection and on that service, they replaced the battery.

On arrival home, I wondered if the battery in the red key was flat, so I opened it up. However there was no battery or any circuitry in the key.

I suspect that they have bypassed the security system because they have replaced the vehicle battery and were unable to reset the code.

I am really concerned that this will cause me problems in the future when the vehicle is out of warranty.

I would really appreciate your opinions on this matter as I have really no knowledge:idea:about this system and of the possible consequences.

Thanks in advance for your help

Alan
 
I think you may find the vehicle is asking for the code key if you put red key into ign start up let engine tick over as this is going on the code key should reset the system switch off a nd start up with the black key the system should be reset it is not advisable to use the red key unless reset is needed.the red key is supposed to send a message to the brain and reset the electrics
[ign system]and all should be okay hope this does the business for you.
 
bigaljo said:
Hello there,
I have just joined the Forum as I have just purchased a 1997 Fiat Ducato and I am already struggling to find info on the vehicle...possibly due to its age. I am hoping that someone may be able to assist.

The first query is in regards to the code light on the dash an the Red Key.:bang:
When I collected the vehicle from the dealer I noticed that the code light was lit. I queried this but the sales guy said that possibly the system needed re-setting but he was unsure how to do it, and of course there was no mechanic available:(. He did however stress the importance of not losing the Red Key.
As the vehicle started ok I agreed to take the vehicle and to question their mechanic when he was available. The code light was not on when I test drove the vehicle on purchase but they had to service it etc before collection and on that service, they replaced the battery.

On arrival home, I wondered if the battery in the red key was flat, so I opened it up. However there was no battery or any circuitry in the key.

I suspect that they have bypassed the security system because they have replaced the vehicle battery and were unable to reset the code.

I am really concerned that this will cause me problems in the future when the vehicle is out of warranty.

I would really appreciate your opinions on this matter as I have really no knowledge:idea:about this system and of the possible consequences.

Thanks in advance for your help

Alan
Click to expand...


Hi Alan, :)
that does sound a bit odd,:chin:

around that era 1994 to 1999 there was normally ;
a RED - MASTER KEY , for servicing / emergency
and 2 x BLUE "slave keys", to be used on a daily basis

the keys all had a chip in that was read by an aerial around the lock barrel,


to be honest if the light has come on, and the vehicle still start and drives.. then YES it does sound as if the system had been hacked about..,:eek:

are you 100% sure this is a key=code ( immobiliser) light, and not an engine management fault indicator..??


Charlie
 
maggie65 said:
I think you may find the vehicle is asking for the code key if you put red key into ign start up let engine tick over as this is going on the code key should reset the system switch off a nd start up with the black key the system should be reset it is not advisable to use the red key unless reset is needed.the red key is supposed to send a message to the brain and reset the electrics
[ign system]and all should be okay hope this does the business for you.
Click to expand...
Thanks to you both for your replies. There doesn't appear to be a problem starting the vehicle. It's just that the code lamp on the dash stays on all the time. I have looked inside the red key and found that there is no battery in it. There is just a glass vial which I presume is the chip. There is nothing to connect any battery even if it had one. I would post a picture if I could figure out how to do it����
 
If definitely is a code light then the only way it could be driving is if they have bypassed it. Check the wiring to the solenoid on the diesel pump.

Changing the battery doesn't reset the code, cranking with a duff battery can scramble it but also if you had the fancy black box immobiliser on the pump they are prone to failure also.

The good news is it was a fairly unreliable thing with age anyway and it would be cheaper and better off fitting something like a thatcham immobiliser than repairing the old one.
 
Thanks very much for the info. I will check the solenoid. I'm not bothered about the lack of an immobiliser.I am just worried about any future problems. Hopefully there won't be any as a result of this.I am not sure if it is wired up correctly. When the key is turned o the off position the sidelights don't work. If I press the button at the side of the lock barrel and turn the key to park, the sidelights come on, but won't turn off except with the key. Is that correct? Thanks again
 
That's great. Thanks again for the info. Never come across that system before.
My vehicle is a motorhome with swivel seats. The swivel mechanism raises the seats by approx 2 inches. The handbrake which is on the right of the drivers seat only pulls on one click. This means it is quite hard to reach even when the seat is in its lowest position. Do you think it would it be acceptable to loosen the handbrake adjustment so that the brakes come on after say 3 clicks. I dont have a manual so I dont know what the correct setting is for the handbrake. Your help is really appreciated.
 
Last edited:
'...4 to 5 notches.' - according to The Peter Russek Pocket Mechanic Vehicle Manual for that model.
 
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