Technical Non Starter - Body Computer Problem

[Jonnyh]

Hi all,


PLEASEEEEEE someone help!


So my 2008 Grande Punto has been fine for 4 months since I've owned. Until 2 weeks ago, when it just wouldn't start.


I tried the spare key (randomly) and it worked for a couple of hours. But now even that doesn't work.


I've had it in at a specialist and he reckons the body computer is bust, it isn't recognising my key or the coding isn't all working correctly and therefore not deactivating the immobiliser. He went to order new body computer from Fiat (cost of £800 fitted) who advised they no longer make them.


He advised this puts in a difficult position as I can't get a used one, without getting ECU, keys, barrel etc. He is now ringing around other specialists for some advice on how we move forward.


I'm struggling to believe there is no way around this. Surely we can bypass the immobiliser somehow?? I know there is a manual override by entering a code or something but he said this hasn't worked as the car didn't even let him enter the code???


Anyone got any ideas? I only bought it as a run around for a couple of years until I'm financially in a better position and now I'm looking at it only being worth scrap.

 

[nikrox]

Have you been given anything other than a verbal statement of what it is that is 'broke'?...I would want printed results of the testing process showing how that conclusion was reached..

 

[Jonnyh]

Have you been given anything other than a verbal statement of what it is that is 'broke'?...I would want printed results of the testing process showing how that conclusion was reached..

No nothing. But in all fairness I literally dropped it at the garage and said fix it.


I may have to ring round a few other places. He said it's quite a rare thing to happen but it is known for happening with these so someone must know a way around it.


I told him I'm happy with whatever resolution as long as I can drive it daily. I even joked that if he knows of any local car thieves who can get it started somehow, then ask them to do that hahaha.


I mean even with the fix he suggested it's spending £800 on a car that's only worth £1500.

 

[nikrox]

where are you in the UK?..maybe someone in your area could advise...

 

[everson38]

Have you tried taking it to an actual fiat dealership or fiat specialist...just for diagnosis to find out what the issue could be?

 

[Jonnyh]

where are you in the UK?..maybe someone in your area could advise...

Manchester and/or Stockport if anyone can recommend anywhere etc.

 

[Jonnyh]

Have you tried taking it to an actual fiat dealership or fiat specialist...just for diagnosis to find out what the issue could be?

The place I've taken it are supposed to be Fiat specialists

 

[everson38]

The place I've taken it are supposed to be Fiat specialists

Maybe not enough. For the £50 -£70 diagnosis I would go to fiat actual. As if is a major costing job maybe simpler to take £800 and put to another grande

 

[varesecrazy]

The place I've taken it are supposed to be Fiat specialists

Look in Garages section.

There are recommendations.

Did you have to tow it there..??

 

[chris3234]

Contact a car electronics specialist like revtronics lot of others only one I know of top of my head as one of them may be able to repair the current ECU if you are certain that's the fault

 

[Schumi2001]

BBA Reman are the usual go-to for this kind of thing.

http://www.bba-reman.com/gb/catalogue/detailedproduct.aspx?detailedproduct=2177

 

[Bernievarian]

Has it been MESed at least? Can you do the code manual bypass yourself?

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)

 

[portland_bill]

Need a bit more detail about the diagnosis.
How does he know it is the body computer that will not accept the key code?
Could it be the aerial around the lock that is not reading the key? That would be simple and cheap to replace, as it is just an aerial.
If it is the ECU, bba reman are likely to be able to fix it.

 

[varesecrazy]

Need more from

johnnyh


Agreed.

Rule out the chip reader..

Then lost connections.. ( bad relays)

THEN consider any bolt on parts..

Charlie

 

[Jonnyh]

Hi all, I don't know more other than him saying the body computer is bust and Fiat don't make them anymore?
He sent it off to be repaired - no luck.
He sent the ECU off to see if someone could program it so it bypasses the immobiliser - NO luck.

He's now saying I need to get ECU / BCM / Key Barrel and Keys from another Punto as a donor as such. And he's confident this will work.


My concerns with this.
1) Will it even work?
2) Will my mileage change?
3) I can't find any online (ebay) where ECU and BCM have the same part numbers as both of mine. I can get 1 and not the other from the same vehicle. So my concern is - do I buy one where 1 matches and not the other and gamble that 'it should work'

Any advice at this point would be appreciated.

 

[portland_bill]

Where/to who did he send it? Was it bba reman? One refusal may not be the end of the world.

With regard a full set of computers and keys;
They need to be from a similar spec, or higher spec car. MES can disable functions, but cannot add them, so a higher spec can be 'downgraded', a lower spec cannot be upgraded.
Needs to be same number of doors to avoid issues with central locking and windows.
Same engine.
Make sure you get two keys.
Must be a full set from one car, not a mix and match.
Mileage will become whatever was on the donor car. Can be increased to match yours, but not decreased if yours is lower.

 

[Bernievarian]

Where/to who did he send it? Was it bba reman? One refusal may not be the end of the world.

With regard a full set of computers and keys;
They need to be from a similar spec, or higher spec car. MES can disable functions, but cannot add them, so a higher spec can be 'downgraded', a lower spec cannot be upgraded.

MES would allow upgrade IF the hardware is there...


Needs to be same number of doors to avoid issues with central locking and windows.

Doors number can (probably) be defined in MES

Same engine.

Makes sense for the ECU and dashboard only

Make sure you get two keys.
Must be a full set from one car, not a mix and match.

1000% agree

Mileage will become whatever was on the donor car. Can be increased to match yours, but not decreased if yours is lower.

Pretty sure mileage is stored in both ECU and BCM or dashboard, but anyway in case of partial swap , the highest one will be taken as true

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)