Technical Key code

[poppy98]

When I started my car this morning it didn't start straight away but when it did the key code light was on I drove round the corner fine but stalled at the junction and the car just would not start at all didn't make any noise and lights came on but very faint, when my friend came she tried to start the car and the speedo went up to 60mph and the clock started going over, could this be something to do with the key code or anything else????

 

[RuSZ]

Hi there.

What specific model is it that you own?

The CODE light is the immobilizer for the car, so thats why the engine wouldnt start, however the lights and electrics should work. but that could be a flat battery?

 

[poppy98]

I did think of that at first, went to halfords to buy some jump leads n the man in there told me not to waste my money on them, because the problem was the key code

 

[poppy98]

Oh n it's a punto mk1 1998 model

 

[Ziggy122]

Oh n it's a punto mk1 1998 model

Regardless of which year punto

The mk1 punto had KEY-CODE
A Red master key
and blue slave keys

The mk2 Punto has the KEY-CODE-2
Only 2 BLUE keys

Eitherway - if the ECU doesn't get the correct signal form the key
It locks the car to prevent it been stolen
Hence why it'll crank
But the ECU retards the Spark and injectors to 0 *ie no pulse* so it dont run

Find out why the Key code light is on
If the Antenna is popped - then replace
If the key has lost its chip, then get a new key cut and reprogram using master key

Ziggy

 

[reddy4bed]

the ECU retards the Spark and injectors to 0 *ie no pulse* so it dont run

Find out why the Key code light is on
If the Antenna is popped - then replace
If the key has lost its chip, then get a new key cut and reprogram using master key

Ziggy

Ziggy - To retard is to go backwards in spark timing, zero retard/advance is at TDC.
Injector timing is never altered by ECU. When car is immobilised thr ECU will not ask the crank sensor for any engine rotation info - hence no sparks or injection.
Poppy - The antenna ring can fail, but its very rare
The key has not lost the chip inside because Fiat keys generally have the chips moulded in.
The immobiliser can fail (most likely, its quite common).
The engine relay can fail, (next likely, its quite common).
Unfortunately you cant just buy an new immobiliser and fit it unless you have the master key and 2 valet keys. Let me know if you cant get it fixed without spending £300.

 

[fingers99]

On the assumption that the immobiliser has developed a fault, one solution is simply to buy a chip for the ECU which by-passes the immobiliser.

the car just would not start at all didn't make any noise and lights came on but very faint

and the fact that it did start, but with the CODE light on lead me to think it's not the CODE box which is the real issue.

I would:

1. Get the battery stress checked -- many factors will be happy to do this for free.
2. In the meantime, try borrowing a known good battery from a friend/neighbour, etc. Take your battery out and pop this one in instead. What happens?
3. If 1 and 2 make no difference, undo the main earth leads, scrape clean, coat with vaseline, re-attach. One runs from the battery negative to the wing, the other from the wing to the top of the gearbox. Both are black, close to 1cm in diameter.

I've put a link to this from the Cento section as the Mk1 Punto section is rather moribund at the moment.

If you let people know roughly where you are, some kind soull might be willing to come and take a quick look.

 

[rallycinq]

The fact it made no noise and the clock and speedo went ape**** points to an earth fault....

Single jump lead test will confirm.

Cheers

D

 

[fingers99]

This is rallycinq's most ace trick. All you need is one jump lead (one of the ones you use to try and start the car).

Connect it from the battery negative terminal to a solid metal bit of the engine/gearbox. Turn key. What happens?