Strange "Engine Disabled" situation
 

Hi All

About 6 months ago I got the dreaded Engine Disabled notification on my 05 Connie 2.5 v6, although it started first time after a few minutes away from the car

A few months later the same notification appeared, except this time I had to disconnect the battery for 30 minutes as well as changing the battery in the keyfob. This time after blipping the key a few times it started.

Then last night the same thing happened, I disconnected the battery for 30 mins, changed the fob battery and blipped the key...nothing. I tried the sequence a second time and once again nothing. The third time it worked.

This problem, although intermittent, is getting worse each time and I'm naturally worried it may be the beginning of something serious if not nipped in the bud now.

I've checked the plenum and its bone dry, the battery is fine, the central locking continues to work during this issue oh and also I've also only got one key so can't use a second for testing.

And FWIW the battery in the fob was a decent Duracell.

What, if anything should I be checking, refurbing or even replacing, to avoid this happening again?

Cheers

Paul

Sounds like an ECU problem - PM Big Russ or MarinaBrian to see if they can check out your ECU.

The battery in the key doesn't have any effect on engine immobilisation, it is used only for locking and unlocking.


Just to rule out the obvious you haven't got a modified flip key have you?

Nope not a modified flip key just a normal key.

Just had another thought on this...

For some time I've needed to remove the carpet and dry it out after a sunroof drain problem (now solved) as I've not had a chance there can be a fair amount of condensation on the odd warm days.

Could that have an adverse effect on something electronically related in the cabin???

I had this problem in an gold 75 infact it done it for weeks it even locked me in the car and i could not get out of the dam thing windows would not go up or down and i had to get out the boot but when i pressed the boot to open i used to get click click for ages then it would open the poo these cars like



and someone on this site was crying laffing on the phone



best of all the dash used to light up like an xmas tree too

AND
disconnect the battery for 30 minutes DOSE nowt at all mite as well switched engine off for few mins and back on it re sets nowt mate lol




man who fixed this was bri message him mate he knows the answer



ppl thought was mad but its true

I seem to recall from other threads that this can result in water entering the EWS (the immobilisation ECU) in the driver's footwell. You may have hit upon it.

Simon

Yep Simon could be. Looks like the carpet removal is next weeks project!!!

Yes it sounds very much like the EWS has got corrosion in it due to the sunroof drain problem.
While it's still working if you'd like to pop over I can sort it out for you, replacement is usually required. I have a good one in stock ;)
Drop me a p.m. if you'd like me to look at it for you.
The carpets don't need to come out for this, it's on the A pilllar but you need special pentalobe security bits to remove it. Should only take about an hour

Russ

+1 to this.

I've experienced the same issue. It started with the car failing to crank off the key after heavy rain and eventually ended up with a permanent 'engine disabled' message on the IPK.

Stick your head in the drivers footwell, up and behind the bonnet release catch. The EWS is a white box bolted to the lower A pillar, similar size to a pack of playing cards. In my case, the sunroof drain was hanging free and dripping water straight into the EWS.