Technical central locking / imobiliser

[bill9358]

First post to this brilliant forum and hope you can help with the following problems.

I recently bought my 2.0 ltr 20 valve Marea HLX saloon 51 plate at auction. Only had 21000 miles on the clock.

I wasn't aware of lots of faullts until after the deal was done and I got it home.

1. Gearbox would not stay in 3rd - Resolved under warranty (Helpfull Arnold Clark dealership!!!).

2. Some electrical items inoperative (Driver seat motor, Cigarette lighter) now resolved after fitting new fuses.

3. Both rear lights cracked along the top edge. Fitted two replacements but one of the replacements is cracked again. Seems the boot lid may need adjustment? any advice.
4. Brake discs and shoes replaced all round. (£270)

5. Performance of the car is great but should I get more than 260 - 280 miles from a tank of petrol.

6. No Red Master Key, only 2 blue keys supplied Both with broken switches.
I have changed the circuit board inside 1 of the keys which my local dealer salvaged from a redundant key. The red light on the key now flashes but it does not operate the central locking and the red light in the centre of the dashboard flashes continualy. Can anybody suggest what I can try to regain remote control of the locking system or would a reset do the trick.

Finaly, has anyone else had as much trouble with their Marea with such a low mileage

 

[black_cinq]

Welcome to the forum

 

[Alex]

New keys need to be programmed into the security ECU, you need the RED key to be able to do this. I believe that this goes for new circuit boards as well. I don't believe that replacement red keys are available without buying a new ECU and lock set (at least £300). Perhaps other people may be able to suggest more options... sorry for the bad news

Oh, welcome to the forum...

 

[polecat]

Hi and welcome to our forum.

Sorry to hear about so many problems, but that's one of the joys of owning a Fiat.

If you PM me your email I can send you the remote set up procedure. It may or may not work depending on whether your ECU has locked out additional keys. If it has then you need to go to a dealer.

A new Red key from FIAT will cost over £700, there is a web site 'codeman' who will program your ECU for about £300, not sure if he does alarm/immobilisers though.

Never heard of the rear light problem before, if you think it may be the boot lid try adjusting the striker plate.

I'm currently averaging about 26mpg.

Good luck.

 

[bill9358]

Thanks guys for the welcome.

I have fitted two sticky back felt washers to the boot body under the rubber buffers on the boot lid and it seems to have cured the problem. ( £1.70 from B&Q. )

Time will tell if it's a permenant fix.

I'll try the reset procedure for the central locking and let you know how I get on.

Cheers
Bill C