Technical Punto HGT won't start. Fuel pump? Also weird CODE warning light...

[gimmiemorefiats]

The company you referred me to say they can't do anything with this particular ECU, so I'm going for a cheap new one through eBay. But something's worrying me...

What if the body computer was also wrecked by the spike (assuming that's the cause)? When the new engine ECU codes itself to the car, would that then make it incompatible with any replacement body computer? (hope that makes sense...)

 

[s and b]

im going to advise you again its up to you whether you take the advice because its something i do at work on a daily basis or i should say its something i dont do at work on a daily basis because people do not listen

i call it the la la la im not listening mode

anyway
this car with bits off the engine was a warning that someones been in
its been to the dealer they couldnt fix it
ive warned many times lately on here that these older fiats are having body computer breakdowns
your car came from a scrapyard and one of the things we do as breakers is put the starter charger on massive go go go to try and get sluggish engines to go and also a massive injection of easy start at the same time
if it still no go we work out the best way to make most profit and in this case its quite likely sell it on complete as a non runner


im sure you put up a link of the ecu plus body computer from ebay a while back but didnt consider a gamble at less than $100 to give it a whirl
now you are considering spending $250 on a piece of kit that you arent even sure is going to solve the probl;em

i see very often garages nailing bits on customers cars in the forlorn hope it will cure a problem and remember the garage arent footing the bill

stand back reasses

 

[gimmiemorefiats]

s and b

Firstly, I do appreciate your advice. But I'm sorry you seem unable to accept a reasoned challenge, and accuse me instead of not listening.

My reasons for buying a new ECU, rather than all the bits second hand for less, are these:

1) The Fiat dealer recommended it.
2) I'm not an expert, and replacing everything would take me forever and I'd probably make a hash of it.
3) As these systems are not renowned for their reliability, I want a solution which comes with some sort of warranty.
4) I'm not the only person in the decision making process - the other is always adamant on having new parts.

I paid a good price for a good car in good condition. I'm consulting a number of experts. (You are only one of them.) I haven't spent any un-necessary money. I'm replacing a faulty part with a new one at half the retail price. Next, i'll be able to get a fault code to see if anything else needs doing. Have i really been so foolish?!

Stood back. Reassessed. Came to same conclusion.

 

[s and b]

s and b

Firstly, I do appreciate your advice. But I'm sorry you seem unable to accept a reasoned challenge, and accuse me instead of not listening.

My reasons for buying a new ECU, rather than all the bits second hand for less, are these:

1) The Fiat dealer recommended it.
2) I'm not an expert, and replacing everything would take me forever and I'd probably make a hash of it.
3) As these systems are not renowned for their reliability, I want a solution which comes with some sort of warranty.
4) I'm not the only person in the decision making process - the other is always adamant on having new parts.

I paid a good price for a good car in good condition. I'm consulting a number of experts. (You are only one of them.) I haven't spent any un-necessary money. I'm replacing a faulty part with a new one at half the retail price. Next, i'll be able to get a fault code to see if anything else needs doing. Have i really been so foolish?!

Stood back. Reassessed. Came to same conclusion.

fair does
as i say i only do it for a living

 

[D4nny8oy]

The company you referred me to say they can't do anything with this particular ECU, so I'm going for a cheap new one through eBay. But something's worrying me...

What if the body computer was also wrecked by the spike (assuming that's the cause)? When the new engine ECU codes itself to the car, would that then make it incompatible with any replacement body computer? (hope that makes sense...)

Simple, ask Desira if they managed to communicate with the Body Computer.

If the only issue was talking to the engine ECU, and all it's feeds and earths are present and ok, and the CAN network was ok, then it has to be the engine ECU.

It's possible you may need to code the keys in still, but at least you'll be able to do the emergency start-up and get it running.


And yes, once the ignition is switched on and the code data is sent from the Body Computer to the new engine ECU, it's of little use to anyone else.

 

[gimmiemorefiats]

Simple, ask Desira if they managed to communicate with the Body Computer.

If the only issue was talking to the engine ECU, and all it's feeds and earths are present and ok, and the CAN network was ok, then it has to be the engine ECU.

It's possible you may need to code the keys in still, but at least you'll be able to do the emergency start-up and get it running.


And yes, once the ignition is switched on and the code data is sent from the Body Computer to the new engine ECU, it's of little use to anyone else.

From what he said on the phone, I think the garage had the same problem as me - ie they couldn't get anything out of it at all - but I'll ring again in the morning and check.

Could Desira wipe the code on the engine ECU? If it turned out that the body computer's kaput... The engine ECU might be arriving tomorrow, and I'm scared to plug it in, in case the body ECU is broken!

s and b, before you say anything... no, i didn't think that far ahead :doh: (But i'm still happier taking this route than trying to replace everything second hand)

 

[gimmiemorefiats]

Desira's records say 'unable to read engine ECU. Doesn't mention body computer. Apparently the customer heard the words "engine ECU", decided to flog it, and told them not to diagnose any further.

The guy on the phone was unable to tell me whether they'd be able to clean the ECU, if it needed recoding. (It's his job to know, or to find out, isn't it?) Any idea if it can be done?

 

[gimmiemorefiats]

I guess what I'm saying - in simpler terms! - is:

Can the body computer be replaced by itself? (I'm guessing not, which could be a bugger if it's also faulty.)

 

[gimmiemorefiats]

This has all got a bit complicated and doesn't have much to do with the title any more, so for clarity I've started a new thread.

 

[D4nny8oy]

Desira's records say 'unable to read engine ECU. Doesn't mention body computer. Apparently the customer heard the words "engine ECU", decided to flog it, and told them not to diagnose any further.

The guy on the phone was unable to tell me whether they'd be able to clean the ECU, if it needed recoding. (It's his job to know, or to find out, isn't it?) Any idea if it can be done?

Shame, unfortunately the write-up on the invoice is only as detailed as the workshop controller made it, so unless they're willing to dig out the paperwork from the archives, you're stuffed (especially if the Tech's write-up was thin on info too). Only thing in it's favour is that if there were no communication with the Body Computer either, it should've been noted down also.

Once the code is written to the ECU, a Main Dealer will be unable to "un-code" it. Some ECU repair companies can access the data and make them 'virgin' again, but I seem to remember you've already asked them and they can't do anything with yours?

I guess what I'm saying - in simpler terms! - is:

Can the body computer be replaced by itself? (I'm guessing not, which could be a bugger if it's also faulty.)

The Body Computer can easily be replaced seperately.

However, if replacing with a secondhand unit, it will need to be with a matching Engine ECU as the code will be different, plus it will need Proxi Alignment (a form of calibration) to get it talking to everything properly and to 'learn' what components are on the car (ABS, ESP, Cruise, Manual/Auto 'box, etc).

But, if you were to order new from the Dealer, it will come pre-coded to the car, plug and play-style, with it just needing Proxi Alignment.

 

[gimmiemorefiats]

Shame, unfortunately the write-up on the invoice is only as detailed as the workshop controller made it, so unless they're willing to dig out the paperwork from the archives, you're stuffed (especially if the Tech's write-up was thin on info too). Only thing in it's favour is that if there were no communication with the Body Computer either, it should've been noted down also.

Once the code is written to the ECU, a Main Dealer will be unable to "un-code" it. Some ECU repair companies can access the data and make them 'virgin' again, but I seem to remember you've already asked them and they can't do anything with yours?



The Body Computer can easily be replaced seperately.

However, if replacing with a secondhand unit, it will need to be with a matching Engine ECU as the code will be different, plus it will need Proxi Alignment (a form of calibration) to get it talking to everything properly and to 'learn' what components are on the car (ABS, ESP, Cruise, Manual/Auto 'box, etc).

But, if you were to order new from the Dealer, it will come pre-coded to the car, plug and play-style, with it just needing Proxi Alignment.

:worship: Thanks for that. Fortunately though, I don't think I need to go down that route after all.