Fiat 😡

[Lizbiebrowne]

Over the last few days, meandering through Spain, I’ve started to get the yellow padlock/key light illuminating intermittently on the dash and the engine turning over but not starting. Same with both sets of keys.

My manual says there’s a code to start the engine in an emergency but I don’t have it (and it says they don’t give it out in the UK anyway). It does give a telephone number to call but it’s 20 years old and doesn’t work. Into the Fiat website and fill out a request form detailing the problem and rather encouragingly get an email back quite quickly asking for a copy of my V5, my driver’s licence and the VIN no. This look promising I think as that’s just the sort of information I might expect them to want.

I don’t hear anything for a few days then receive a bland email saying they can’t help me and I need to contact a Fiat dealer. Why couldn’t they have said that at the start? I’m no further on and I’ve sent them a lot of information I’d prefer they didn’t have.

 

[Phill D]

Sorry to hear of your problems, a simple question how do you put the code into your vehicle unless you carry the equipment to access the ecu and software.
So you probably would have to go to a dealer anyway.

 

[Lenny HB]

The yellow padlock means the immobiliser is on, probably the chip reader in the steering coloum playing up.
If the padlock it lit up don't turn the engine over as all you will do is flatten the battery.

If you say where you are one of our Spanish members might be able to recommend a garage.
gus-lopez

 

[Pausim]

There are several reports on the internet about immobiliser rings on ignition barrels failing. This applies to many makes not just Fiat. Basically the ring is an aerial that reads the chip in your key and with time they can become dirty or start to fail. No personal experience of this but it seems a good thing to have checked out for an intermittent fault.

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

Sorry to hear of your problems, a simple question how do you put the code into your vehicle unless you carry the equipment to access the ecu and software.
So you probably would have to go to a dealer anyway.

My manual says that the code can be used to start a petrol engine but not a diesel so I wouldn’t be able to start it. I’d just feel more comfortable if I had it.

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[Lizbiebrowne]

The yellow padlock means the immobiliser is on, probably the chip reader in the steering coloum playing up.
If the padlock it lit up don't turn the engine over as all you will do is flatten the battery.

If you say where you are one of our Spanish members might be able to recommend a garage.
gus-lopez

Thanks Lenny. I’m between Teurel and Utiel at the moment, should be in Benidorm on Monday.

 

[Figaro]

Do you have a Sigma after market alarm immobilizer frequently added by brownhills on Hymers of that era ?
It could be that playing up ?
Try replacing the battery in the key fob.
Do you have the keypad on the dash, they used to put a little silver label with the code and would stick somewhere out of the way.
I have the manual in PDF format for the alarm if you think it's what you have.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Thanks Lenny. I’m between Teurel and Utiel at the moment, should be in Benidorm on Monday.

Try these

C

Thread 'AJL Mechanics Villajoyosa near Benidorm'

Apr 5, 2024

We’ve just had great service from them so I thought I’d give them a shout.

Driving from down South to here last week we noticed grinding when we braked. We’ve done 7000 miles since last service and most of those were on terrible roads last year in Turkey. The front ones were an advisory when I checked 5-6mm.

They’ve replaced the pads and skimmed the discs, greased everything. €214 which seems OK to us.

• carolyn
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Motorhome Chat

• 
• 

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

Do you have a Sigma after market alarm immobilizer frequently added by brownhills on Hymers of that era ?
It could be that playing up ?
Try replacing the battery in the key fob.
Do you have the keypad on the dash, they used to put a little silver label with the code and would stick somewhere out of the way.
I have the manual in PDF format for the alarm if you think it's what you have.

Yes I do, I have both the fob and the keypad. I’m not sure it’s that though because if I make an error putting the code in, the engine won’t turn over whereas in this situation I’m putting the code in correctly (as I get the solid red light in the keypad on entering the last digit) and the engine turns but doesn’t start. Getting the yellow LED on the dashboard made my think it was a Fiat problem?

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

Try these

C

Thread 'AJL Mechanics Villajoyosa near Benidorm'

Apr 5, 2024

We’ve just had great service from them so I thought I’d give them a shout.

Driving from down South to here last week we noticed grinding when we braked. We’ve done 7000 miles since last service and most of those were on terrible roads last year in Turkey. The front ones were an advisory when I checked 5-6mm.

They’ve replaced the pads and skimmed the discs, greased everything. €214 which seems OK to us.

• carolyn
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Motorhome Chat

• 
• 

Thank you, they would be handy. But I’m wondering whether I need a Fiat garage if it’s a problem with the chip? I’ll give them a call though when I’m in Benidorm and see if they can help.

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[Figaro]

Ah, you have the code ? In your op you said you didn't have it.
Apologies, can't help further if it's a Fiat thing

 

[Lenny HB]

Do you have a Sigma after market alarm immobilizer frequently added by brownhills on Hymers of that era ?
It could be that playing up ?
Try replacing the battery in the key fob.
Do you have the keypad on the dash, they used to put a little silver label with the code and would stick somewhere out of the way.
I have the manual in PDF format for the alarm if you think it's what you have.

That wouldn't bring the error light on the dash.

 

[gus-lopez]

If when you turn on the padlock doesn't go out then turn off & on again until it does. It is quite a common problem on older vehicles with either the chip or transponder playing up.I used to have it on a Kia .
I can only help with garage's or auto electrician around me,Lorca area.

 

[Sleeveless]

The code is used in conjunction with diagnostic software/ tool to code keys etc , the keys themselves don't need any battery power to work as the immobiliser aerial ring or transponder (shown below ) excites a chip in the key which then responds to the ring known as a "handshake" . Same principle as the anti shoplifting devices in store entrances. Worth checking if the ring is in place (black plastic ring around key slot with white cables) , but could also be a fault in the BCM if both keys don't work properly.

 

[Jev88]

Welcome to the Senile Fiat Immobiliser Club.

I can talk you through bypassing the critter attached to your fuel pump and rewiring a positive supply direct. Takes about an hour and some brave chiseling and levering and then a tiny bit of wiring.

This is the beast that is dying...

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[Lizbiebrowne]

Ah, you have the code ? In your op you said you didn't have it.
Apologies, can't help further if it's a Fiat thing

I was referring to the Sigma code. I don’t have the Fiat code.

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

The code is used in conjunction with diagnostic software/ tool to code keys etc , the keys themselves don't need any battery power to work as the immobiliser aerial ring or transponder (shown below ) excites a chip in the key which then responds to the ring known as a "handshake" . Same principle as the anti shoplifting devices in store entrances. Worth checking if the ring is in place (black plastic ring around key slot with white cables) , but could also be a fault in the BCM if both keys don't work properly. View attachment 963939

If when you turn on the padlock doesn't go out then turn off & on again until it does. It is quite a common problem on older vehicles with either the chip or transponder playing up.I used to have it on a Kia .
I can only help with garage's or auto electrician around me,Lorca area.

Welcome to the Senile Fiat Immobiliser Club.

I can talk you through bypassing the critter attached to your fuel pump and rewiring a positive supply direct. Takes about an hour and some brave chiseling and levering and then a tiny bit of wiring.

This is the beast that is dying...

View attachment 963973

Most of the times it works but I know these things don't get better once they've started. I've got another 5 weeks before I return to the UK and I'd rather wait until then before I start taking a chisel to it! I may take the plastic trim off the steering wheel housing to see if I can see any problems there as per Sleeveless Meanwhile I'll use gus-lopez technique. Thanks for all your help.

 

[gus-lopez]

Most of the times it works but I know these things don't get better once they've started.

True but my kia did it on & off for the 7 years I owned it.