Technical Key Code Warning Light

[Critter]

I have a camper van built on a Fiat Ducato (W reg, so 2000). I only use it about a dozen weekends every year, so I only put the battery in the van when I use it.

Last time we used the van, the orange dashboard light with a key symbol and the word "code" came on whilst we were driving.

It did so again this weekend, both on the way out and back home. We have two keys and the light comes on whichever key I use.

This weekend, the warning light was on for about 90-95% of the driving time, so much so that we were worried about stopping on the way home, just in case we had trouble starting it again.

I see from some other posts that this has something to do with the immobiliser (didn't even know it had one!). However we have had no problem starting the van (yet).

I want to solve the problem before we drive into a field somewhere and find we cannot leave.

I am not an Engineer, so please keep any technical explanations easy for a layman to understand.

Cheers,

Critter

 

[Arkk]

Sounds more like you have a loose connection/ fuse on the ignition circuit. The ignition switches were also prone to wear. If the light comes on while driving, it seems that the KCU has momentarily lost the ign feed. Check gauges, flashers, etc. next time the light comes on, see if there is anything else not working.

 

[Critter]

Thank you Arkk, I do find the fuel gauge wobbles from time to time, could there be a connection there?

By the way, what does KCU stand for?

 

[fenman]

KCU = Key Code Unit.

 

[stuartadair]

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread, however I've got exactly the same issue with a 1999 Ducato van, even down to the fuel gauge playing up. Did anyone ever arrive at a solution ?

 

[SoFar]

I am currently having problems with the key code lock icon on the dashboard too but it has happened to me before.
In the handbook,it states that if the key code lock comes on whilst you are driving,it is carrying some diagnostic checks and is nothing to worry about.
If the lock stays on when you first [try to] start the ignition, the engine may fail to start all together.
If your engine fails to start up (it may turn over but will not fire)you CAN over ride the system using your key code which you should have in your paperwork somewhere. It states in the handbook that you can only over ride the system on a petrol engine but I do this on my diesel and it works.
The handbook advises you to contact a Fiat dealership if you have to over ride the system.
If you do not have a FIat handbook,I can scan the pages for you to print off.Just say.
I hope this helps.

 

[JAC777]

WOW, I have just been through this pain and I got it fixed eventually.

After MUCH running around and searching and speaking to people I took the advice of sourcing a diesel specialist and getting them to remove the protective security plate that covers the solenoid on the fuel pump, then they simply rewired it to run off the ignition 12v bypassing the immobiliser completely. This may sound drastic but it is the only guaranteed solution to this ongoing and common problem. It is also a very simple fix to do. The hard bit removing the security plate. This can be done with fuel pump in situ despite what people say (and want to charge you!)

Total costs £200.

In simple terms your key has a code, this is picked up by an ariel located around your steering column, this runs a signal to a yellow box under your dash, which goes to the solenoid, which should operate, the signal goes back to box saying all ok, and the light goes off, van starts.

These are 'apparently' very problematic on older vans.

You could of course go through the process of getting your key re coded, and then a new ariel, and then a new box, then new solenoid, but none of these are guaranteed to fix it!

Totally up to you. But it's worked for me!

Good luck (and I mean it, it caused me a right headache for about a month!)

 

[SoFar]

That sounds a great solution.I may go down this route too.My Fiat is playing up big time-sometimes it starts no problem,sometimes not.I don't have a Fiat dealership near me but any decent garage could do this,I'm guessing?

 

[T14086]

Bypassing the pump is common (£200 is expensive though and can be done for a lot cheaper) but a word of warning is should you tell your insurance company after all you have no immobiliser security now and that will in affect your premium and maybe be a good reason to refuse any claim?

(i'm not in the insurance business so maybe someone can confirm if this is correct)

 

[JAC777]

I would have thought any garage could do this but I was lucky enough to find a chap who had loads of experience with these older van and had some tooling to do the job without the need to remove the fuel pump from the engine. If the fuel pump comes out then there is the obvious additional costs!

I went to the fiat dealership near me and they couldn't help. They could not even plug it in as it was too old for them.

I am really pleased with what I had done, I was so fed up with the intermittent starting/not starting.

Appreciating this solution does remove the security advice, but you can always get something additional fitted if required.

 

[JAC777]

I agree on the insurance/security issue. Well worth advising/checking insurance if removing / or fitting an additional one if insurance needs dictate such. For some reason mine says not fitted.

 

[SoFar]

You can still get insurance though?
My alarm is so quiet,I doubt anyone would hear it if it went off anyway.

 

[Crossingkeeper]

On my previous van the immobiliser had been bypassed as described and an aftermarket alarm had been fitted, though whether this was done as a consequence or had been fitted from new I'm not sure.

In any case after a few 'accidental' alerts through not pressing the fob buttons in the correct order, I stopped using it, similarly I rarely set the (also aftermarket) alarm on my current 2.8 JTD based van, though this has a hopefully less problematic immobiliser. Obviously I have told my insurance company that I don't have an alarm!

From the motorhome forums it seems that coachbuilts are seldom stolen and I guess that this is because any potential owners are usually not the class of folk to order a van 'at the pub' and they don't fit in containers very well

 

[moodrater]

You can fit a thatcham approved immobiliser with a certificate that should keep the insurance happy,

Cobra A8510 Thatcham Category 2 Immobiliser: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

 

[Hywel]

I am currently having problems with the key code lock icon on the dashboard too but it has happened to me before.
In the handbook,it states that if the key code lock comes on whilst you are driving,it is carrying some diagnostic checks and is nothing to worry about.
If the lock stays on when you first [try to] start the ignition, the engine may fail to start all together.
If your engine fails to start up (it may turn over but will not fire)you CAN over ride the system using your key code which you should have in your paperwork somewhere. It states in the handbook that you can only over ride the system on a petrol engine but I do this on my diesel and it works.
The handbook advises you to contact a Fiat dealership if you have to over ride the system.
If you do not have a FIat handbook,I can scan the pages for you to print off.Just say.
I hope this helps.

Hi,
I am having this problem on my 1.7td fiat strada van. I do not have a book and would appreciate it very much if you could scan and mail me the pages also referring to the fix. my email adres is [email protected]
thanx

 

[SoFar]

Hi,
I am having this problem on my 1.7td fiat strada van. I do not have a book and would appreciate it very much if you could scan and mail me the pages also referring to the fix. my email adres is [email protected]
thanx

My sincere apologies for not replying to your message. Do you still require the pages for the book? If so,I'll send them to you.


As for a fix for the key code problem,I got it sorted out by a local car electrician.It turned out to be an "aerial" that runs around just inside the ignition key entry.If this is faulty,it fails to recognise the code within the key.In an emergency,you can over ride it with a code that you manually put in via a long-winded system of using the gas pedal and entering the code by a series of depressions.
My electrician telephoned the Fiat dealer and they told him that it required the whole loom to be changed at a cost of £200+.:yuck: He thought that ridiculous as he only required the aerial and so telephoned another electrician who got me one for £25. and that was fitted! The lesson to learn is,don't trust Fiat dealers when they tell you what work needs doing.Get an independent opinion before you go firm on any work.

 

[Johndw]

Bypassing the pump is common (£200 is expensive though and can be done for a lot cheaper) but a word of warning is should you tell your insurance company after all you have no immobiliser security now and that will in affect your premium and maybe be a good reason to refuse any claim?

(i'm not in the insurance business so maybe someone can confirm if this is correct)

Season Greetings - I had a nightmare last week when my 2007 X250 based motorhome (only done 20K) conked out. Doing a relaxed 50mph on the A1 and suddenly total power loss. Managed to depress clutch and steer into a layby. Tried to restart - no joy - engine turned over well. I noticed the Amber 'Vehicle Protection System Failure' was on permanently with key in the MAR position. I had a spare key with me but same problem. The AA came to the rescue but could not diagnose the problem - removed N/S headlight to check ECU connections. The AA then recovered me to home as it was late evening. My local garage plugged in their diagnostic kit and reported an open circuit - not defined.
Finding the thread here - I wonder if the solution proposed might work??
I have a COBRA alarm system so the vehicle would still be alarmed.
Any help advice would be much appreciated - Johndw

 

[corcai]

Open circuit fault probably is your cobra alarm. All that ham ones are wired to immobilise by opening some circuit or circuits. That's where I would look next. Get whoever installed it to come back and look at it.

 

[rayc]

I have a COBRA alarm system so the vehicle would still be alarmed.
Any help advice would be much appreciated - Johndw

I doubt that your COBRA alarm is connected into the Fiat immobiliser system and it only protects the doors, bonnet and also has internal motion sensors. That is the way the majority of these alarms are connected into motorhomes as they raise the Thatcham rating from 2 to 1.

 

[Johndw]

Thanks to you and rayc...I am hoping also somebody will respond about bypassing the pump as a workaround on the X250.