I have owned my Brava for around 3 years, however, for the past year and a half I have had problems starting it. When trying to start it with the blue key it makes a strange 'whirring' noise and the engine fails to engage. After several failed attempts however, it will eventually start. Occassionaly if the problem is severe switching to the other blue key seems to help. This problem may or may not also have something to so with a strange red light which seems to constantly be lit on the dashboard (this seeems to go on and off at random). I would take it to back to the dealer for help, but as I have forked out so much money on the car since I purchased it (new exhaust system, new bonnet release cable, new brake discs etc)I fear a large bill.

Key

I had a problem with mine a while ago with the key.
With one of the keys it would just turn over and over and wouldn't start.

On the dash there should be a yellow key light (I think it says 'code' underneath) that goes off when the immobiliser is turned off, if it doesn't go off, the immobiliser is still on.

Check it with other keys to make sure the light goes off, and try reprogrammig the key.

It cost about £60 I think for a new key from a dealer.

Re: Key

Thanks, ph1l.

Do you (or anybody else who reads this) know the exact procedure for reprogramming the blue keys (as i said before, I would prefer to avoid the dealer if possible).

I located my drivers manual, but it does not mention any procedure for reprogramming blue keys, only the emergency start procedure (which is of little interest since like most other UK Fiat owners I do not possess the code card with the 5 digit code on it).

While looking through previous threads someone claimed that the procedure for reprogramming keys is :

start the ignition with the red key to 'wake' the ECU then turn off the ignition and turn it back on with one blue key, then turn off insert other blue key and repeat, before finally re-inserting the red key to 'lock' the key codes into the ECU so that it recognises them (sequence supposedly should be red, blue, blue, red).

My worry is that if this procedure has been described incorrectly, or a part has been omitted etc, then I could accidentily 'erase' the two blue key codes from the ECU and so end up in a worse predicament than I am currently.

If what I have just described above is total rubbish then I apologise, as fiat car immobiliser systems are not one of my strong points.

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.