3200 'code' light

[cowsurgeon]

Sometimes (about every third time) when I open the car and turn the key in the ignition, the 'code' and 'check engine' lights don't go out, indicating that the immobiliser hasn't been deactivated - when that happens I have to turn the ignition off again, take the key out and try it again, sometimes 3 or 4 times.

I've checked the position of the transponder (or whatever it is) in the key itself, and it's not loose or rattling around - I've even put a tiny bit of blu-tack in to make sure it stays in place. Has anyone had a similar poblem, or any ideas on what could be the matter? Could it be the electrical feed to the 'sensor' in the ignition housing? I presume there is such a thing as the transponder thingy in the key isn't powered...

 

[bill]

I know this might sound a bit weird but.... above the fuse board on the pasenger footwell there are two bolts that connect the main +ve cable through the bulkhead to the engine bay. I had very similar problems and these two were loose and since I tightened them I cured this and a slow starter turning which was the reason I found them after changing the starter thinking it was faulty(!). Its a bit of a long shot but worth trying....

cheers
bill

 

[Parisien]

Yeah, sometimes its just a process of elimination, or checking the obvious things first......hopefully you sort it without too mush bother.......B*L*O*O*D*Y Italian electrics!


P

 

[cowsurgeon]

Hi there,
Thanks for the reply Bill, I've found over the last few days that if I press the key into the ignition switch as I turn it (rather than just turning it loosely), it works each time. Weird huh?

 

[conaero]

Sounds like the transponder pick up, its a ring antenna that goes round the ignision barrel. Pressing it in might we helping.

Take off the lower cowel and inspect the connections and make sure it has not fallen off the barrel. then trace the antenna wiring back to the box (probably blue as it is in the Alfa and about the size of a cigarette packet....20's of course)

Its solid state so is not affected by the battery in the key, try another key, see if that helps?

 

[cowsurgeon]

Hi Matt,
I've tried the other key - makes no difference unfortunately. I'm sure, as you say, it's the antenna - will have a dig around...