I have a red key and one blue key for my '99 Punto (mk 1). Unfortunately I have lost the blue key, so I went to Timpsons and got two new blue keys cut. I have just tried to re-program the two new keys to the ECU, but when I put the red key in... nothing happens. It turns in the ignition but nothing lights up on the dashboard - it won't even start the car.

It is clearly the right key because it unlocks the car and turns in the ignition. Does this sound like a problem with the key/immobiliser, or something else that has coincidentally gone wrong?

Thanks

If no lights at all come on, I'd check the battery isn't flat.

Gah, it is the battery. I just thought to check whether the radio works, and that is dead too. (Not sure about other Fiats, but with mine the radio normally works without the ignition being switched on and the headlights require the ignition, which is the exact opposite to most cars I've owned).

Oh well, I'll wait til the daylight and check the connections. Maybe a courtesy light has been on or the radio has been on or something.... I'll have to use the red key and jump it from another car I suppose.

Thanks for your suggestion.

Dont jump start the car. Either trickle charge the battery or if you really have to make sure the jump cars engine is NOT running, connect the jump leads, with your key ignition OFF. Leave your battery voltage to rise up for ten minutes, this makes sure the ecus dont go from very low voltage to 14.5volts instantly. DONT have the donor cars engine running at all through any of this period.

Only after this should you attempt start up, start your engine and disconnect jump leads. Leave your engine to run for twenty minutes with all electrics switched off and run the engine at 1500 rpm.

Code and Injection ecus are very prone to damage from voltage spikes. Thats why at dealers etc, jump packs are used with spike eliminators to protect the electrical system from spikes.