Ducato immobilizer problem.

[kevincarpentry]

Hi. New to this forum. I have a 2002 Ducato 10 van with a 2.8 diesel engine. In the 2 years I've had it, it's been a joy. However, a couple of days ago, when I tried to start it, the key-code light remained illuminated on the dashboard and consequently it wouldn't start. I have only one key. Having turned the key approx 200 times, disconnecting and re-connecting the battery and trying to persuade it to start by making all kinds of promises, it refused to co-operate. The local garage attended and agreed it was an immobiliser problem, which wasn't particularly useful. Then they sent out a chap with a recovery lorry and he, just out of curiosity, tried to start it. It seemed to like him and started first time. Since then it's started every time. However, as I've noted from experience, once something misbehaves once, it has a tendency to repeat the action. I'm presuming there's an intermittent fault something along the lines of the ignition not recognising the key transponder. I've heard there's a method of over-riding the immobiliser by getting a code from Fiat and doing something with the accelerator pedal. I'd like to have that in case of emergency.Can anybody shed any light? Much appreciated. Kevin.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi. New to this forum. I have a 2002 Ducato 10 van with a 2.8 diesel engine. In the 2 years I've had it, it's been a joy. However, a couple of days ago, when I tried to start it, the key-code light remained illuminated on the dashboard and consequently it wouldn't start. I have only one key. Having turned the key approx 200 times, disconnecting and re-connecting the battery and trying to persuade it to start by making all kinds of promises, it refused to co-operate. The local garage attended and agreed it was an immobiliser problem, which wasn't particularly useful. Then they sent out a chap with a recovery lorry and he, just out of curiosity, tried to start it. It seemed to like him and started first time. Since then it's started every time. However, as I've noted from experience, once something misbehaves once, it has a tendency to repeat the action. I'm presuming there's an intermittent fault something along the lines of the ignition not recognising the key transponder. I've heard there's a method of over-riding the immobiliser by getting a code from Fiat and doing something with the accelerator pedal. I'd like to have that in case of emergency.Can anybody shed any light? Much appreciated. Kevin.

Hi Kevin,
welcome,

your best bet is to get a second key cut and coded to the vehicle,
ring a few dealers to get the info on coding a key you supply..,
the prices will vary hugely.
the CODE itself comes from FIAT UK - via a dealer as a sheet of A4 paper, costs £15 to £50...,

once you've used the accelerator method , it would need a ECU reset - at a dealer to then accept a key:bang:

so just get a 2nd key,
minirib on the forum is good at this kind of stuff,

Charlie - Oxford