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Technical Padlock symbol car doesn’t start!

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Technical Padlock symbol car doesn’t start!

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typecastboy

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Can anyone give any information on the padlock symbol on the dash. I’ve had a Google and looked in here but all I can find is that it’s an intermittent problem to do with the immobiliser and/or the engine and body ECUs not communicating properly.

This is a car I’m thinking of buying. I’m assuming MES would give me a clue of where the problem lies?
 
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I've had this problem on a brand new 500, with the spare key.

Turned out to be a faulty chip in the key; fixed under warranty by ordering a new key and reprogramming the body computer.

If the car you're thinking of buying has two keys, do you get the same result with both keys?

If there's ony one key, then, well, you're probably the most experienced chap on here when it comes to aftermarket solutions for keys and programming. The rest of us would most likely be asking you for advice.

You could always price in the 'worst case' scenario (I guess that's a complete lockset, keys and body computer bought secondhand and virginised) and make an appropriate offer for the car.
 
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jrkitching said:
I've had this problem on a brand new 500, with the spare key.

Turned out to be a faulty chip in the key; fixed under warranty by ordering a new key and reprogramming the body computer.

If the car you're thinking of buying has two keys, do you get the same result with both keys?

If there's ony one key, then, well, you're probably the most experienced chap on here when it comes to aftermarket solutions for keys and programming. The rest of us would most likely be asking you for advice.

You could always price in the 'worst case' scenario (I guess that's a complete lockset, keys and body computer bought secondhand and virginised) and make an appropriate offer for the car.
Click to expand...



That’s what I was thinking. Most likely only one key. Could it even be possible that the battery in the remote could be dead?
 
typecastboy said:
Could it even be possible that the battery in the remote could be dead?
Click to expand...

Sadly not that simple. The immobiliser chip in the key isn't powered.

typecastboy said:
That’s what I was thinking.
Click to expand...

Just a word of caution - if you can't start the car, you've no way of knowing what manner of mechanical horrors may be lurking under the surface. Sellers of dubious integrity might choose to disguise a completely shot engine by disabling the immobiliser.

If I were in your position, this one would have to be really cheap. And if it is, then I'd be inclined to assume the worst.
 
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I'm not getting a good feeling about this one, maybe one to let go and look out for a different one Typecastboy?
 
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Completely your choice typecastboy but convertible and an auto too. So unless you've got limitless patience and plenty of money you could regret it?!
 
Isn't the transmitter for the immobiliser transponder in the bit of cowl that's missing? I watched a Youtube video a while ago of someone doing up a salvaged 500, and he showed an antenna ring around the key surround in the cowl.
 
@TrevC you mean Rob's video here. One of best cars he's done. [ame]https://youtu.be/9kILUu4Gd84[/ame]
 
Yes the ring is on the outer edge of the ignition, just next to where the key goes. That reads the code in the key and then talks to the body computer. I'm guessing that's where the problem lies.


Worst case scenario, new ECUs and Locks. Done that before, not an issue. Although I've taken them out more than I've put them in.

Worth a punt if I can get it cheap enough, we shall see.
 
Yes, that's the one, Al.
I think you are right to advise caution with the Duologic gearbox, plenty of grief reported about it on this forum. If the car can be driven, of course, Typecastboy can at least see if it works before purchase.
Don't see a problem with the convertible side. We have one, and I researched quite extensively before buying, and the roof seems pretty trouble free.
 
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