Technical Panda won't start. CODE light on.

[squeck94]

Hello guys, I'm new to the forums and I have a problem with my 2007 Panda.

Yesterday I went to a friend's, and while coming back home, the car didn't start.

The engine tries to start (it's doing the usual starting noise) but it keeps doing it and it doesn't start.

Battery seems OK as radio and headlights work.

When I turn the key to the MAR position, this lights up.

The red engine light however, doesn't light up.

I tried to follow the emergency starting procedure (holding the throttle down for 8 secs) but the engine light still doesn't light up.

I tried the following:
1. using the other key.
2. emergency starting procedure.
3. reattaching and cleaning battery contacts.
4. attaching and OBD2 bluetooth device bought off ebay, it turns on but my phone reports the error "Can't connect to ECU"
5. cleaning the ECU ground cable.

Is there anything else I can do? Is my ECU dead?

Thanks and sorry for my english but I'm from Italy.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hello,
you have tried most of the common things !,

check the actual connections to the ECU / computer,


Possibly try disconnecting the battery , and use a recharged / new battery again after a few hours of ZERO power to ECU. - just in case something re-sets,

good luck,
Charlie

 

[squeck94]

Thanks for your reply, I'll try that as soon as possible as the car is not here with my but at my friend's place...

My dad wants to call assistance but I'm afraid they will rip us off.

Any other suggestions are appreciated

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

So it failed to start with the emergency start proceedure using the cars immobiliser code

 

[squeck94]

So it failed to start with the emergency start proceedure using the cars immobiliser code

No, the emergency procedure doesn't even start, when I hold the throttle down (tried for up to 30 secs) the red engine light doesn't lit up.

 

[Andy Monty]

check small ground cable on ecu is secure to rocker box top (if present) next if battery is ok check terminals are clean nd tight

if no joy jump lead on negative battery terminal other end to clean unpainted metal part of the engine

also try spare key

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

No, the emergency procedure doesn't even start, when I hold the throttle down (tried for up to 30 secs) the red engine light doesn't lit up.

Have you tried using the spare key

 

[Andy Monty]

Have you tried using the spare key

too slow

 

[squeck94]

Yea, I tried that already, no luck with the spare key.

I'll try the jumper trick tomorrow

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

too slow

I'll grab my coat :spin: :devil:

 

[lamlash]

I don't know how the immobiliser system works on the Panda but on many cars the ECU communicates with a chip in the key using low power radio frequency. Over the years there have been quite a lot of confimed reports (on various different makes of car) of interference from other sources of RF preventing the ECU from communicating with the key.

Is there any way you could move the car a few metres and try it again? There could be a local radio signal effectively jamming your immobiliser.

Also, I'd suggest you borrow a digital voltmeter and measure the battery voltage accurately.

Good luck

 

[Goudrons]

I always thought the key transmitted it's code through the ignition barrel, metal to metal and there's a pickup ring within the igntion barrel.

When pushing the key in and turning it to MAR, it should make contact with this pickup ring and transmit the key code to the ECU. disabling the immobiliser.

I know some manufacturers have issues with this system, some fail to make contact after a while leaving the owners in the same position as you.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I always thought the key transmitted it's code through the ignition barrel, metal to metal and there's a pickup ring within the igntion barrel.

Nope, nothing to do with metal to metal in Fiat's CODE2 systems luckily.

 

[Goudrons]

Though there is a ring like "antenna" on the back end of the barrel that must receive the code from the key.
(P/N:46528244)
http://eper.fiatforum.com/eper/navi...INT_MODE=0&EPER_CAT=SP&WINDOW_ID=1&GUI_LANG=3

 

[varesecrazy]

Though there is a ring like "antenna" on the back end of the barrel that must receive the code from the key.
(P/N:46528244)
http://eper.fiatforum.com/eper/navi...INT_MODE=0&EPER_CAT=SP&WINDOW_ID=1&GUI_LANG=3

Yes - I believe the pandas of that age are like that,
maybe worth using the tilt /rake of the steering wheel adjuster to see if you've got a poor connection / rubbing wire,
Charlie

 

[BruceG]

You could try the emergency procedure, you will find this explained in the handbook. It is an involved process. You will need to know the code before you start. It does warn you that this procedure really is for an emergency. Once you have gone through the emergency procedure, should you be successful, you will need to take the car and key to a Fiat garage for reprogramming...or repeat the emergency start procedure each time you want to start the car! Not something you want to do!

Of note - I could not start my Panda this morning using the normal remote control key. It had worked fine yesterday, and all other days, however this morning the engine cranked but there was no evidence of it wanting to start. I noticed that the engine did not 'make that priming noise' when I unlocked the doors using the remote...odd I thought. Anyway, much scratching of head, locking and unlocking later I confessed to thinking that gremlins had struck or the battery was marginal on voltage and thus not allowing the car to start. But, I then 'just tried' the spare non-remote key to open the car and start the engine. It worked! The car made that priming noise, and she started sweetly. So it appears that the remote fob has somehow become out of synch with the car. Not a disaster, as I can at least use the car until a suitable time to investigate/fix the remote fob issue.

Great car. It is a 2006 1.2 dynamic, and I get a genuine 55-63mpg on very mixed road driving. Brilliant, fun and so, so cheeky. Just as Fiats should be.

 

[trevorwat]

BruceG - my experience that I posted here may be of interest to you:
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/313590-key-not-recognised-codes-intermittent-starting-problems.html

 

[Jerseywurzel]

If the problem appears to be with the remote key, could it have something to do with the remote key battery coming to the end of it`s life?

Would putting a new battery in help? (Newbie guess).

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

If the problem appears to be with the remote key, could it have something to do with the remote key battery coming to the end of it`s life?

Would putting a new battery in help? (Newbie guess).

Nope, battery has nothing to do with the immobiliser.

 

[Batfalcon]

You could try the emergency procedure, you will find this explained in the handbook. It is an involved process. You will need to know the code before you start. It does warn you that this procedure really is for an emergency. Once you have gone through the emergency procedure, should you be successful, you will need to take the car and key to a Fiat garage for reprogramming...or repeat the emergency start procedure each time you want to start the car! Not something you want to do!

Tried to spot the procedure in the handbook, unsuccessfully I admit. Is it somewhere online?