General Security failure

[Johnmor]

Hi, I was working on my Stilo this afternoon and when i tried to start it I received a warning saying "security failure" and now it turns but wont start.

I cant understand what could have happened , I drove the car onto ramps and changed the gearbox oil. When it tried to drive it off this happened.

What can i do? I read the book and it asks for a emergency start code. I have had the car from new(2003) and no code was given to me from the dealer.

Is this going to cost a fortune. I am gettting sick of all the gimmicks and gizmos with new cars this is another example of manufactures forcing poeple to line the pockets of the dealers.

Any suggestions please.?

 

[custard]

think you can get the code from the dealer.
have you checked for damage/loose wires around where you were working on the car?maybe an earth strap

 

[T14086]

......or maybe be a bit more polite seing as its your first post,you dont have to take it to a dealer you can take it to any garage....or buy a pushbike:idea:

 

[Johnmor]

I am sorry if you are offended at the remark regarding the dealers pockets but I find it rather frustrating that I am now left high and dry without a car and some thirty miles from the nearest dealer.

I have rebuilt and driven many Fiats, Lancias and Alfa Romeos and the more modern the car the more chance of beling left in the lurch.

If my cam belt snaps I can see the cause and blame myself for not changing it in due time. But this seems to have no reason or cause and I am possibly stuck without a car for several days.

 

[Argonought]

As custard has pointed out, it's highly likely to be related to something you've done, without realizing it, rather than a chance event.

Unfortunately, unlike most reported errors, I'm not sure the security systems actually reset - so you may need the code anyway

 

[T14086]

Johnmor...there are alot of Fiat techs here who are willing to help others,there are also some very knowledgeable members of the public who spent alot of time helping others here...if you stick around this forum you will see that,a big happy family if you like
I understand you are annoyed at your car at present but any diagnosis requires as much input as possible...what engine have you got for instance?

Most of these gizmos are there for your safety/security,I also reckon(taking into account the more cars on the road thesedays)there are less breakdowns than there used to be,cars have back up stratergies built in to ECU etc..

Anyway...the reason for your security failure message is due to communication between body computer & ECU.Is your battery healthy? Try disconnecting battery for 10mins then reconnect & try again.

You will not have the emergency code,that is held by the ISR.

 

[Stu DemonD]

I got my Key Code from the dealership Parts department, only cost a few quid

 

[Big Black Stilo]

I have had this message before, but the car was running or it just went off and started.

Today whilst waiting for the mrs to finish work I had the ignition on, but not the engine, but the side lights fans and stereo was on. On starting it I got a raft of errors including that one- so battery voltage can play a part.

You havent drained the battery by having the stereo on whilst working on the car did you?

Dont mean to talk down to ya, just I have done it with my other car without realising

 

[Johnmor]

I have calmed down a bit now, thanks for the replys.

The car is a 2003 fiat Stilo, 1.8 16v Dynamic. Engine type 192.A4000.

The battery seems good as the cars turns over fast and does not falter. I have tried disconnecting the battery for an hour or so but to no avail.

I was wondering if pressing the key buttons in a silly order can affect the key? I had to open the boot and pressed the key buttons a few time before it opened.

I have had problems before with the car.

On its second service the Oil filter fell off on the way home. The dealer admitted that shouldent happen ( you dont say). But i think this led to engine wear . I should have just let the enigine idle till it seized and then i would have got a new engine but i stopped and replaed the oil imediatly and then took it to the garage , They claimed there was no wear or damage to the engine but for a long time the clutch played up and the engine sounded funny.

Then just after the warrnety ran out the engine started burning oil massivly and after aproching the garage , they said we are "sorry but the warrenty is out" i stripped the block to discover that the thrust washers from the central main bearing had been thrown into the sump. This must have happened when the oil filter fell off an the engine lost its oil. the crankshaft could then move left/right a couple of mm eplaining why the clutch was playing up. the crank was moving istead of the pressure plate realeasing. No4 piston was rubbing on the bore and the rings seized in the piston, causing oil burning

I bought a replcament engine and replaced the whole bottom end.

It was all working fine untill the this problem, I hope this might help to explain my frustration and mistrust of my Fiat dealer.

 

[Deckchair5]

Nothing trivial then?
Ok do you have a spare key? Have you tried that?
Are you getting the engine warning and the lock symbols coming up too besides the security warning? or is it just
Car security
Failure


The wiring to the circular aerial pick up for reading the key code at the ignition switch sometimes becomes detached so I'd have a look there

 

[Johnmor]

Tried the idea of using the deadlocks and then opening the car. This worked and the car started, and then within a few seconds died and the same problem is still there. The security indicator flashes and the spanner appears as well so I think it may be a problem with the wiring to the pickup for the key as you describe. Thanks for that, I'll investigate immediately. I've tried replacing the battery in the key fob but no difference so I think there may be an issue with the code being received within the ignition switch. I'll keep you informed.

 

[minimad99]

Could it be the anti jacking system kicked in as the car was on ramps??
or a fueling problem when the front was lifted.
Have you pushed it back onto flat ground and tried it?

 

[T14086]

I have had problems before with the car.

On its second service the Oil filter fell off on the way home. The dealer admitted that shouldent happen ( you dont say). But i think this led to engine wear . I should have just let the enigine idle till it seized and then i would have got a new engine but i stopped and replaed the oil imediatly and then took it to the garage , They claimed there was no wear or damage to the engine but for a long time the clutch played up and the engine sounded funny.

Then just after the warrnety ran out the engine started burning oil massivly and after aproching the garage , they said we are "sorry but the warrenty is out" i stripped the block to discover that the thrust washers from the central main bearing had been thrown into the sump. This must have happened when the oil filter fell off an the engine lost its oil. the crankshaft could then move left/right a couple of mm eplaining why the clutch was playing up. the crank was moving istead of the pressure plate realeasing. No4 piston was rubbing on the bore and the rings seized in the piston, causing oil burning

I bought a replcament engine and replaced the whole bottom end.

It was all working fine untill the this problem, I hope this might help to explain my frustration and mistrust of my Fiat dealer.

I'd say so....depending how far out of warranty it was you might of got a goodwill from Fiat.

Anyway...just to fill us in,when was this engine fitted? Also have a quick check that the earth wire on the ECU is tight,also if you can check your engine earth.

 

[Johnmor]

Hi,

I replaced the engine block last week and have tested the car for about 50 miles no problems,

I am using the original cylinder head and this has all the ecu etc attached. I did not remove any of the electronics from the head so the car started very quickly after the block was replaced and all warning and checks were clear.

This problem only appered after I changed the gear box oil, there are no engne warninng lights only :

"ESR failure" "ABS failure" "security failure" "loose Cnnection"


I have the car back on the level and I dont think it can be an earth problem as the starter turns over fast with no problem and I have cleaned and tightened the main earth strap on the gearbox.

I checked the connection to the sensor pickup around the ignition switch, no sign of any problems. Checked connections below fuse box, nothing obvious

I disconnected the battery overnight, reconected and then tried locking the car and deadlocking, then opened. and the car started first turn of the key and then died within a few seconds and the same warnings are now appering again.
I have repeated the above but no luck.

I am stumped with this, what's it going to cost to get a Fiat machanic out to my home and check and repair, Arm +leg possibly.

 

[Johnmor]

Re: "There is a god"

I decided to approach the problem one step at a time and went through all the possibilitys.

It seems as if the seperate earth for the ECU (attaches to the alternator bracket) was the problem. I cleaned it and replaced and the car started first time all checks ok.

Thanks to T14086 for that, saved my sanity.

I hope that my first post on the forum did not send the wrong impression and if i can assist in future i will.

Electrics are not my strong point but the dirty mechanicals hold no fear .

Thanks again

John

 

[Deckchair5]

"This problem only appered after I changed the gear box oil, there are no engne warninng lights only :

"ESR failure" "ABS failure" "security failure" "loose Cnnection""

Only?
Loose connection is loose connection. Recheck your battery leads and especially earth, cost= £0
Take anything off to do your gearbox oil?
Checked your D4 connector? Info in the Stilo Guides

 

[Argonought]

Re: "There is a god"

It seems as if the seperate earth for the ECU (attaches to the alternator bracket) was the problem. I cleaned it and replaced and the car started first time all checks ok.

Thanks to T14086 for that, saved my sanity.

Excellent result

So you didn't need the security code after all

 

[T14086]

I am stumped with this, what's it going to cost to get a Fiat machanic out to my home and check and repair, Arm +leg possibly.

Wel this one cost you nothing! however a donation to the FF to keep it running certainly must be worthwhile & think of all the future help you will recieve

https://www.fiatforum.com/donations.php

 

[Rich]

Loose connection can also mean blown fuse, essentially the same though.