Anyone help out a newbie?

Hi all.

Having lurked on here for a while reading lots of threads that has already helped me out with a few issues {thanks} Any help with this specific issue would be greatly appreciated...

I have a p38 that started having a few problems recently. battery going flat overnight, alarm going off, passenger door lock vibrating??

The upshot of these problems are that about 3 weeks ago it wouldnt start. recovered it to local specialist who re-programmed ecu as he said it had been wiped?

Worked fine for a week or so, then, one morning turn over, and over but not fire. Recovered to another garage, who, changed the glow plugs as they said it was the constant turning over that ran the battery flat and wiped the ecu. they also re programmed the ecu again.

Just gone out to start it now.... on putting key into ignition, alarm triggered displayed (car wasnt even locked), turning over fine, but wont start.

Anyone any ideas? I am near Penzance in Cornwall if anyone can recommend a mobile auto electrician to come and possibly re-program it again.

Thanks in advance.

Hi, First thing to check is the remote receiver which is under the off side parcel shelf support. If it doesn't have the 'CE' mark it is the old type and vunerable to spurious rf (radio frequency) signals which can flatten the battery or scramble the becm or anything in between. See this post:
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f10/non-start-lessons-learnt-154868.html
The part number for the new one is ywy500170 and is about £170 from Island 4x4.
Whatever you do, in the interim, disconnect the blue cable to the remote receiver.
Good luck

Then you might want to spend £100 or so with BlackBox Solutions and get yourself a synchmate and do your own repairs. From the sound of it you've probably paid for one (or two) already.

Awesome guys, thanks for the help!

Will pick up a sync mate and check the the rf receiver.

This may sound daft! but bare with me.
I think i had something similar about 5 years ago. It was the battery in the key.
get a new battery for your key.

One other thing, cornish piskie, you don't say whether your p38 is diesel or petrol (or even lpg) These things might be relevant when you make further postings, which you will - you have a p38.

P38s hate anything less than a fully charged battery. If your unsure of the age of yours change it. Then get a solar charger from maplins and sit it on the dash and wire it to the battery to keep it topped up.
And then buy a synchmate you will need it sooner or later.

first charge should be on the battery, older than 4-5 years get rid.

Battery was brand new from halfords last year. (replaced with aa insurance) Alternator was checked then and was fine.

Its a diesel.

Thanks again guys!

Cornsih Piskie said:

Battery was brand new from halfords last year. (replaced with aa insurance) Alternator was checked then and was fine.

Its a diesel.

Thanks again guys!

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Just because the battery was replaced last year doesn't mean it's any good now.

Datatek said:

Just because the battery was replaced last year doesn't mean it's any good now.

Click to expand...

very true. get it checked and fully charged.

Datatek said:

Just because the battery was replaced last year doesn't mean it's any good now.

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Agreed
I once payed £100 for a battery drove the car for 3 weeks then parked it up for a few months when I came back the battery was f#@led wouldn't hold charge
they die easy if not looked after

I'll go along with the others.

Bought my DSE Christmas time, owner fitted new battery before collection. 6 months later kept going to it and battery was flat or low. Turned out I need a new battery. been fine since. (Gulp! what have I said that for!!!!).

John T.