Technical Car Won't Start - Central Locking Broken

[CiciB]

Hi guys,

First time car owner here, very new to it all and know nothing about cars. Recently bought a 2009 Fiat Panda Eleganza (his name is Rufus and I love him), upon purchase we realised the central locking didn't work (lights flash when the fob is pressed but doesn't unlock), this isn't too much of a problem for me at the moment and can't afford to fix it, but adding it in for context in case the current issue is related.

Anyway, tried to start the car this morning and it is completely dead. Dashboard lights up and radio turned on but absolutely no noise or attempt for the engine to start. At one point the dashboard said 'SEARCH' too. Have attempted to google it but nothing is coming up! I am hoping it is a flat battery but just wanted to see if anyone else had other ideas?

Thank you!

 

[koalar]

When the dash lights up what warning lights come on

When you try and crank what lights come on or go out

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi,
probably just a low power issue

Flat battery.. Or a failed black cable from Battery (break in the circuit)

Does the Yellow padlock symbol come on for 5 seconds.. Then go off?

 

[CiciB]

Thank you guys!

I had to leave for work so not with the car currently, but if I remember correctly the handbrake light, petrol light, engine light and battery light went on (
may have missed some). Don't recall seeing a padlock! Really hoping it is just a flat battery was worried about a potential electrical issue because of the state of the central locking.

 

[koalar]

Nothing too serious I suspect

The starter on these is pretty basic

They will even turn over with the immobilizer on and the engine computer unplugged

We commonly see, loose or broken wires, flat or faulty batteries, dirty terminals, odds favour the problem lies here

Occasional a faulty starter or ignition switch again not serious or expensive

Turn key and it's not cranking | FIAT Panda (Mk3)

We often get asked the question my engine will not start, what should I do, and the answer is no idea too many variables, it needs narrowing down, cranking but not firing, starts but then cuts out and so on Here we are talking about, no crank, no weerweer noise, not turning over, not cranking...

www.fiatforum.com

 

[koalar]

I doubt the central locking will be connected

Normally a blown fuse or the boot handle micro switch jammed

Let's get the car started first, the we can sort this out

 

[koalar]

When you get back to your car

Shut the door and switch the roof light on, as you turn the key it should dim a bit but not go out

If you can

Post a video of the dash, just the lights under the rev counter needed, as you turn the ignition on, and as the key is turned to crank,

It tells us quite a lot

 

[CiciB]

When you get back to your car

Shut the door and switch the roof light on, as you turn the key it should dim a bit but not go out

If you can

Post a video of the dash, just the lights under the rev counter needed, as you turn the ignition on, and as the key is turned to crank,

It tells us quite a lot

Okay I shall do, thank you so much!!

 

[jackwhoo]

Do NOT have key in ignition when disconnecting or reconnecting vehicle battery

 

[CiciB]

When you get back to your car

Shut the door and switch the roof light on, as you turn the key it should dim a bit but not go out

If you can

Post a video of the dash, just the lights under the rev counter needed, as you turn the ignition on, and as the key is turned to crank,

It tells us quite a lot

 

[CiciB]

Hello, video as requested. Have checked the battery and it appears to have 80% charge so I don't think it's a flat battery unfortunately

The interior light didn't appear to dim either

Thank you for your help!

 

[koalar]

Great

The body computer is seeing the engine computer

The engine computer is talking back to the body computer Immoberliser working correct

The body computer is talking to the dash module

The oil switch is grounded to the engine block,, and the battery needs to see below 4.5V

Electric power steering and ABS module ls pass the power on self tests

It's almost certain all the main electronics are working fine

 

[koalar]

Almost certainly the ground cable is fine

No dimming of the interia light

Either no signal to the starter motor

Or no current flow

Faulty ignition switch

starter solenoid

starter

One of the main power cable either to the starter

Do you have a multimeter

 

[CiciB]

Almost certainly the ground cable is fine

No dimming of the interia light

Either no signal to the starter motor

Or no current flow

Faulty ignition switch

starter solenoid

starter

One of the main power cable either to the starter

Do you have a multimeter

I don't have a multimeter no, thank you so much for your help, it's looking like it's gonna be a tow to a garage job

 

[koalar]

Shame, seems like an easy fix, but will need a few tools to diagnose

Here's something we can try without any tools

Try turning the key to crank position very slowly, like you are doing it in slow motion, be slightly more forcefully than normal, release it in slow motion

Don't go mad, we don't want to snap the key

Sometimes there a dead part on the ignition switch, depending where it is you can bypass it by rotating the key a little short or past where it would be normally

 

[koalar]

Just noticed it's a dualogic

Have you got your foot on the brake

 

[varesecrazy]

I don't have a multimeter no, thank you so much for your help, it's looking like it's gonna be a tow to a garage job

Update?

User error with the gearbox..?

 

[CiciB]

Just noticed it's a dualogic

Have you got your foot on the brake

Yes foot was on the brake, had 2 other people try it as well and no luck.

 

[koalar]

Sorry to hear that

There is a safety relay in the fuse fuse box, in the engine bay that prevents the engine turning over unless it's in neutral, or the foot it on the brake

It does go faulty, which causes no crank

Have to look it up, back shortly

 

[koalar]

Here you go

Under the black fuse box

T20

Take note the drawing is upsidedown use A to get your bearings


Swap it for an identical one

T02 would be good if it's the same as the car will run but no main beam