Technical 1999 Ducato 2.8JTD ECU Removal

[RAB71]

Greetings all, I have tried searching and not found a similar question or answer so hopefully it is not too dumb or a repeat.
I have a 1999 Ducato 2.8 JTD based motorhome with the key code light on [along with injector and glow plug], which will crank but not fire. Reading through other posts I intend to send the ECU away to ECU Decode and get the immobiliser removed. I have located the ECU on the passenger side wing and removed the nuts. I have gently tried to remove the connectors at the bottom but they do not feel like they want to move. Is there a little catch or clip somewhere that holds them in or do I need to have my weatabix and pull harder. Asking before I do any more damage. I have included a picture of the ECU if that helps.

 

[bugsymike]

Greetings all, I have tried searching and not found a similar question or answer so hopefully it is not too dumb or a repeat.
I have a 1999 Ducato 2.8 JTD based motorhome with the key code light on [along with injector and glow plug], which will crank but not fire. Reading through other posts I intend to send the ECU away to ECU Decode and get the immobiliser removed. I have located the ECU on the passenger side wing and removed the nuts. I have gently tried to remove the connectors at the bottom but they do not feel like they want to move. Is there a little catch or clip somewhere that holds them in or do I need to have my weatabix and pull harder. Asking before I do any more damage. I have included a picture of the ECU if that helps.

I can't see from your photo but there will be a retaining clip/locking arrangement, so please do not apply force
Normally there is a catch that is released and then a lever moves which actually has the effect of disengaging the ECU wiring plugs in a controlled manner, so you don't need to pull it. Re engaging is the same, don't just try and ram the plugs in.
There is probably two connector blocks, if you give it a clean and undo from the bulkhead you may be able to see better the type of connectors used.
Incidentally take advice from the ECU people and follow instructions from them.
Obviously disconnect the battery first, but when I had similar done on an Iveco Daily it involved disconnecting plugs to the immobiliser computer under the dash as well, this was so when the de immobilised ECU was refitted it didn't try and read a chipped key and undo their work.
It may be different on your model, but check.

 

[Communicator]

On reading the title I was rather sceptical, as the common rail 2.8jtd engine was not introduced until 2000. However your picture shows an ECU. I have personally had the need to remove the ECU from my 2006 2.8jtd, as there has not been any need. However there have been several other members who have sent ECUs away for reprogramming, subsequent to key code failure.

When I had a few key code failures, I applied contact cleaner to the code receiver connections under the steering column. No code related problems since.

I can confirm @bugsymike suggests there are two connectors for the ECU.

The 2.8jtd does not use glowplugs in the conventional sense. Instead it has a flame starter. This system uses a fuel valve and combined fuel jet/glowplug mounted on the inlet manifold. The ECU will only be able too "see" the relay coils to these devices, so possibly corroded connections to the relays are causing the problem.

I hope that the above helps.

I am intrigued by you 1999 2.8jtd. Please confirm initial registration date.

 

[RAB71]

Date of first registration is down as 11th August 1999. Chassis number is ZFA2300......if that makes any difference. If it has had an engine swap they also did the JTD side badges to match.

Went out today with some contact cleaner and the intention of pulling the immobiliser unit plugs and cleaning. No electrical power what so ever, central locking let me in the drivers door which is unusual but fixing that is another issue for another day. Just out of curiosity I removed the ignition key from the key ring and put the boost pack on, dash lights come on as usual and the key code light goes off. This was repeatable. Not enough power in the boost pack to start (it is ancient) so now I have removed the battery to give it a charge. Nice big battery fitted so I had to remove the power steering reservoir to extract it. I am reluctant to pull any plugs or refit anything until I put the charged battery back to see if the problem has gone away by either removing the key from anything else metallic or the gremlins have gone for a day out. Will refit the battery later / tomorrow and update. Will also try to get some better pics of the ECU connector for future reference if I can position it to see the locking mechanism.

Not sure if the battery is totally flat because the van was left in reverse when the recovery man parked it up or I have got another drain to investigate later, along with the central locking only working from the passenger door, but first of I need to get it running.

I really do appreciate all of the comments, if nothing else for my own sanity. I knew in the bike world that Italian electrics were often referred to as comedy electrics with a mind of their own, should have realised it would spread. (and it never stopped me buying them...)

 

[bugsymike]

I really do appreciate all of the comments, if nothing else for my own sanity. I knew in the bike world that Italian electrics were often referred to as comedy electrics with a mind of their own, should have realised it would spread. (and it never stopped me buying them...)

I have had several Iveco Daily's with the wires rotted inside the plastic plus one on a Fiat Grande Punto at the ECU.

 

[RAB71]

Put the charged battery back on and it fired up with the key taken off of the keyring. Left it running while I bolted covers back on, and the power steering reservoir before turning off as I had to move a vehicle off the drive so that I could park the motorhome. Before turning off I noticed that the glow plug light is still on, but hey she runs.

Once on the safety of the drive I pulled the connectors off of the yellow immobiliser box next to the steering wheel and gave them a good blast of contact cleaner. Consistent reliable light going off after a few seconds for both keys including the one on the bunch with others. Cheers peoples, can I get you a virtual beer?

Got a pic of the immobiliser while I was at it, to me it looks like this was manufactured in October 2001, two years plus after the van was first registered so something been swapped around or replaced.

Couldn't get the phone in to get any better pictures of the ECU connectors but there are tabs on the short outward ends that pull out to free the connectors. I didn't pull my connectors as it appeared my issue was elsewhere. Also I got a message back from ECU Decode saying that with the information I had it was premature to send the ECU to them and get some more diagnosis done first, very honest sounding folk.

 

[bugsymike]

Put the charged battery back on and it fired up with the key taken off of the keyring. Left it running while I bolted covers back on, and the power steering reservoir before turning off as I had to move a vehicle off the drive so that I could park the motorhome. Before turning off I noticed that the glow plug light is still on, but hey she runs.

Once on the safety of the drive I pulled the connectors off of the yellow immobiliser box next to the steering wheel and gave them a good blast of contact cleaner. Consistent reliable light going off after a few seconds for both keys including the one on the bunch with others. Cheers peoples, can I get you a virtual beer?

Got a pic of the immobiliser while I was at it, to me it looks like this was manufactured in October 2001, two years plus after the van was first registered so something been swapped around or replaced.

Couldn't get the phone in to get any better pictures of the ECU connectors but there are tabs on the short outward ends that pull out to free the connectors. I didn't pull my connectors as it appeared my issue was elsewhere. Also I got a message back from ECU Decode saying that with the information I had it was premature to send the ECU to them and get some more diagnosis done first, very honest sounding folk.

Glad you have succeeded.
That immobiliser box from memory looks similar to the one I had on a 2002 Iveco Daily 2.8 that the immobiliser chip from key had been lost.
I think the chipped key was recognised by the aerial ring around the ignition lock that signalled the immobiliser which was under the speedo area, this then sent information to the ECU which was under the bonnet, from memory it was a Bosch MS6.3 ECU which was then fixed by specialist in Bradford, it was a long time ago and no one locally knew about them. Iveco agents wanted a £1000 to fix, if I towed the vehicle 30 miles to them to look at it. Guy in Bradford cost me £137 including postage and just told me not to reconnect the immobiliser plugs.

 

[Communicator]

Thanks for the vehicle information. I can remember reading a report about the introduction of the common rail engines for the Ducato, I doubt that I still have the magazine from 25+ years ago. Wikipedia gives 2000 for the introduction of the 2.8jtd, and other common rail engines. Other than the mentioned possibility of engine change, I can only assume that yours is a very early specimen.

I am not sure how applicable they are, but I have attached German wiring diagrams for the x230 model. I have extracted these from the manual available in the downloads section. They do not cover 2,8jtd engine, or central locking, but they may fit for other items. If you know of something better, then there will be others who will be interested.