I have a Marena weekend and I managed to pinch the red wire on a new ignition coil pack and shorted it out momentarily...Now the car won't start (no spark and No fuel). did not know that I should not be using the red key. I now have the message " key code" on the dash board. any ideas ???
Technical key code message
- Thread starter dulux
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Technical key code message
oh dear! i think you may have caused internal damage to the ecu. the wiring plug for the coil pack is directly connected to the ecu, so a short can easily cause internal damage. if that is the problem you have a big problem, the red key is coded to the ecu. if you get a different ecu it will not work with your red key. www.ecudoctor.co.uk can repair your ecu bit im not sure what the cost would be, alternatively you can buy a 'virgin' ecu which will learn the first red key used on it, i have seen virgin ecu's for sale on the web but they cost hundreds, the other option is to get a used ecu and have it virginised by someone such as ecudoctor. a diagnostics check will confirm if the ecu is damaged. fingers crossed it isnt but it sounds like it to me.
Thanks for your reply (Ithink) the red key was in the ignition at the time will that be ok?
I have a spare car .A Punto but that decided not to start either, I have fuel ok but no spark!
I really do have problems as I live in countryside on a hill and am disabled so sending the ecu away will have to be by carrier, by the way cant find the ecu is it under the bonnet orm in the car?
I had the RAC out but they were going on about a relay on the inlet manifold? but I have to take off the manifold to get to it if its there and if its worth it. I have disconnected the battery in the hope it will clear the memory eventually if not then its ecu doctor
cheers
I have a spare car .A Punto but that decided not to start either, I have fuel ok but no spark!
I really do have problems as I live in countryside on a hill and am disabled so sending the ecu away will have to be by carrier, by the way cant find the ecu is it under the bonnet orm in the car?
I had the RAC out but they were going on about a relay on the inlet manifold? but I have to take off the manifold to get to it if its there and if its worth it. I have disconnected the battery in the hope it will clear the memory eventually if not then its ecu doctor
cheers
really the red key should never be in the igniton unless you are using it to program blue keys into the ecu. if the red key now shows the key code light at all times it would suggest the ecu is switched on and not recognising the red key, that is usually a sign of ecu damage i have seen more than once
the ecu is in the engine bay to the left of the battery when looking into the engine bay, its is a rectangular metal box with a big wiring plug attached to it.
the damaged relay sounds like a possiblity. electrical shorts often blow fuses and relays. it is definately worth trying, but im not aware of any relays on the inlet manifold and as i remember the wiring diagram for the coil shows no connection to any relays, just the ecu.
taking the car to a fiat specialist for a diagnosis may be the cheapest option, but getting the car there will be a stuggle if you live in the middle of no where, you can hardly tow yourself. a diagnostic check is usually £30-40, or possibly a bit more at a fiat dealer. if someone can help you get the car to a specialist it could save time and money. they will tell you if the ecu is damaged, and any half decent place will be able to identify a damaged relay causing the problem.
you must like fiats (and hassle) if you're second car is a punto. you say it has fuel going to the cylinders but no sparks. that could be a coil problem (yes another fiat coil problem!) or an ecu problem. it can also be a simple electrical problem such as dirty batterty terminals, a damaged main earth strap, a blown main fuse, dirty or corroded connections for the coil/ecu wiring. have you tried anything to fix the punto? can you provide any more info about the punto, maybe we can help?
you're in quite a pickle with 2 broken fiats stuck in the country side, i'd be willing to come and have a look at your cars if you live near me, im in co. durham (north east).
the ecu is in the engine bay to the left of the battery when looking into the engine bay, its is a rectangular metal box with a big wiring plug attached to it.
the damaged relay sounds like a possiblity. electrical shorts often blow fuses and relays. it is definately worth trying, but im not aware of any relays on the inlet manifold and as i remember the wiring diagram for the coil shows no connection to any relays, just the ecu.
taking the car to a fiat specialist for a diagnosis may be the cheapest option, but getting the car there will be a stuggle if you live in the middle of no where, you can hardly tow yourself. a diagnostic check is usually £30-40, or possibly a bit more at a fiat dealer. if someone can help you get the car to a specialist it could save time and money. they will tell you if the ecu is damaged, and any half decent place will be able to identify a damaged relay causing the problem.
you must like fiats (and hassle) if you're second car is a punto. you say it has fuel going to the cylinders but no sparks. that could be a coil problem (yes another fiat coil problem!) or an ecu problem. it can also be a simple electrical problem such as dirty batterty terminals, a damaged main earth strap, a blown main fuse, dirty or corroded connections for the coil/ecu wiring. have you tried anything to fix the punto? can you provide any more info about the punto, maybe we can help?
you're in quite a pickle with 2 broken fiats stuck in the country side, i'd be willing to come and have a look at your cars if you live near me, im in co. durham (north east).
very nice of you to offer to have a look but I am in Scotland (Dumfries) far to far shameIve also buggered up my ride on lawnmower and centreal heating boiler!!!!
its hard to keep your hands to yourself when they heve earned you a living?
thanks very much for all your advice.
yes I like Fiats last year i spent a fortune having all valves changed after my belt went. unfortunetly Fiats closed in dumfries and the nearest garage is in Carlisle 35 miles away. the cost of towing would be horrendous.
I have just thought we have a Lucas with repair facilities in town, would they be of help and also a key specialist, dont know if they can help. but they did do blue keys for me, cost a fortune
I have the battery disconnected in the hope that that will reset memoryn same as a video etc.
My wife tells me that the key code warning light has always been on!
with regards the punto a mechanic friend thinks its the pick up by the toothed belt , forgoten what its called or how it works, used to know when i was a tech manager but my stroke has taken that part of my mind.
Used to teach eltronics as well but thats gone as well.just had a thought is it a transducer??
cheers...Ian
its hard to keep your hands to yourself when they heve earned you a living?
thanks very much for all your advice.
yes I like Fiats last year i spent a fortune having all valves changed after my belt went. unfortunetly Fiats closed in dumfries and the nearest garage is in Carlisle 35 miles away. the cost of towing would be horrendous.
I have just thought we have a Lucas with repair facilities in town, would they be of help and also a key specialist, dont know if they can help. but they did do blue keys for me, cost a fortune
I have the battery disconnected in the hope that that will reset memoryn same as a video etc.
My wife tells me that the key code warning light has always been on!
with regards the punto a mechanic friend thinks its the pick up by the toothed belt , forgoten what its called or how it works, used to know when i was a tech manager but my stroke has taken that part of my mind.
Used to teach eltronics as well but thats gone as well.just had a thought is it a transducer??
cheers...Ian
sounds like you mean the crankshaft position sensor? it measures the rate of rotation on the crankshaft, and yes it is a transducer 
easily fixed if you can get a new sensor, but sensors tend to cost a fortune considering how much they must cost to make. i like to get sensors from scrapyards but its always a risk getting an old sensor. you never know how long it will last, if it works at all. still there's nothing worse than buying a new part only to find out it hasnt solved the problem.
easily fixed if you can get a new sensor, but sensors tend to cost a fortune considering how much they must cost to make. i like to get sensors from scrapyards but its always a risk getting an old sensor. you never know how long it will last, if it works at all. still there's nothing worse than buying a new part only to find out it hasnt solved the problem.would this crankshaft sensor cause the Punto starting problem?
Ive been searching for the ecu with no luck, i was going to send it by carrier to ecu doctor.
Ive even tried to find it in the picture of your engine. is it under battery etc
Ive been searching for the ecu with no luck, i was going to send it by carrier to ecu doctor.
Ive even tried to find it in the picture of your engine. is it under battery etc
i once worked on a car that wouldnt start because of a disconnected crankshaft position sensor, it was my fault because i forgot to reconnect it after changing the timing belt.
im not saying the crankshaft positon sensor is definately the problem, but it could be and it could stop the car from starting.
i wouldnt advise you to try replacing sensors in the hope that you will fix the problem, its often cheaper to get a diagnostics check done on the car first.
however if you do want to try something before you give up and take the car to be looked at, then its worth a try changing the crankshaft positon sensor. just please dont waste money on a new one, if you want to experiment use scrapyard parts. then at least your wallet cant get hurt.
i'll highlight the ecu on my cars pic and post it here, give me 2 mins
im not saying the crankshaft positon sensor is definately the problem, but it could be and it could stop the car from starting.
i wouldnt advise you to try replacing sensors in the hope that you will fix the problem, its often cheaper to get a diagnostics check done on the car first.
however if you do want to try something before you give up and take the car to be looked at, then its worth a try changing the crankshaft positon sensor. just please dont waste money on a new one, if you want to experiment use scrapyard parts. then at least your wallet cant get hurt.
i'll highlight the ecu on my cars pic and post it here, give me 2 mins
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is that right guys? its under there on the marea weekend as well isnt it?
Thanks Jug.
I now have one car working. the punto was the crankshaft position sensor.
still have the marea to sort out.
A mechanic friend said he doubted the ecu was faulty and thought it was more likely to be the aerial on ign key keyhole. seemsa bit odd to me what do you think?
Ian
I now have one car working. the punto was the crankshaft position sensor.
still have the marea to sort out.
A mechanic friend said he doubted the ecu was faulty and thought it was more likely to be the aerial on ign key keyhole. seemsa bit odd to me what do you think?
Ian
