Engine Not Starting, Reset Key And Ecu?

[johnylee]

I'v not been able to use the galaxy for quite a few months now, basically the engine wouldn't start although all electrics were working fine. Even trying to bump start it failed, finally got the mechanic to take a look and he said it is because the battery in the key fob went so the immobilizer needed resetting.

He said when he connected it to a diagnostic program it said it was actually not the key fob and that the ecu had packed up, does this sound right? he said to get a new ecu i'd also have to install new locks all round, any help / info on this is appreciated.

 

Thanks

[SilverBeast]

I'm pretty sure the batteries in the key have nothing to do with your problem and they are only for the alarm and central locking. That is certainly the case on the diesels which have a VW system. The petrol engines are Ford however so the immobiliser may be different I doubt it though.

 

 

1) How many keys have you got? Does it fail to start with all of them?

 

 

2) If you only have one. Did you replace the batteries or did the key come apart immediately before the car stopped starting?

Edited May 25, 2013 by SilverBeast

[johnylee]

Thanks for the reply

 

There was 2 sets but only 1 key had a remote fob that has never worked, i'm not sure if the other keys had a chip in them. I parked it up 1 night then the next day it just wouldn't start.

[SilverBeast]

Have you tried both keys?

[Scorpiorefugee]

Check to see if the fuel pump works. It relies on a relay controlled by the immobiliser and it is not unknown for either to fail. If it is not running, try hard wiring it from the ignition circuit. Sorry, can't help with locations etc. I could suggest that the chip in the key has dropped out but this only applies to keys with remote and the others are sealed in.

Edited May 25, 2013 by Scorpiorefugee

[AMacdonald]

Are all the fuses OK? My old Alhambra was immobilised for several days after a wire at the MAF chafed and shorted, taking out the fuse that fed the fuel shutoff solenoid.

[chrispb123456]

What's the LED on the door do when you try to start, and does the glow plug light come on when switching on ignition.

[seatkid]

finally got the mechanic to take a look and he said it is because the battery in the key fob went so the immobilizer needed resetting.

 

He said when he connected it to a diagnostic program it said it was actually not the key fob and that the ecu had packed up, does this sound right? he said to get a new ecu i'd also have to install new locks all round, any help / info on this is appreciated.

 

Your mechanic sounds incompetent.

 

First give us some information to work with.

 

Engine type/model/year (petrol/diesel/engine code)

 

Does the starter crank? Any beeps or warning lights?

 

Relay 30 if petrol engine is a prime candidate.

[gav@home]

if its the 2.3 i4 engine id bin the coil on plugs and go 4 the zetec wasted spark set up, i have the rs2k engine in a triumph and the coil packs played up weekly, they do say them engines are to be driven lol, do a simply cranking test on the live side of the coil, but you will need sum 1 to turn the key as u work the digi meter 

[johnylee]

Sorry for late reply and thanks for all replies,

It's a petrol, 2.2 and V reg.

When i turn the ignition nothing happens, there is no turning over or anything. I did notice (been 5 months) than when there was no key in the ignition there was a small oblong shaped light constantly on in the middle of the dash, not got a clue what it means and i can't remember it being on when the car was running.

Thanks

[BrianH]

that sounds like it could actually be a starter motor solenoid to me personally. i'd start looking at the connections there. If you have any access to an obd reader you can somewhat rule out problems by trying to read codes - if it fails to read there is a fairly good chance that the immobiliser is a problem in someway (relay 30 as mentioned above is one possibility - the door led is usually a good clue on this). If you can get access to the starter solenoid check if any power is reaching it? on the 2.0 if the immobiliser is active the starter still turns just it fails to start.