'99 p38 2.5 dse immobiliser problem

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A

Andythesweep

Member
Posts
21
hi all
I picked up a 1999 2.5 p38 dse last week and have a major problem!
I'll start by saying that it's had the 'sunroof not set' message displayed since I bought it but as the sunroof worked perfectly I just dismissed the message.
So I went out to drive somewhere today, turned the ignition and everything was fine until key position 3 where the engine refused to turn over, just a click. No dimming of dash lights to indicate a flat battery but I put a jump starter pack on anyway but still nothing.
This is when I made the big mistake, I disconnected the battery earth to check fuses and starter solenoid under the bonnet. When I reconnected the battery and turned the key the alarm went off, I took the key out and the heater blower started up.
Next I disconnected the battery which shut the alarm up, reconnected the battery and had the ' key code lockout' warning on the display. Which disappeared after 30 mins.
My next problem is I don't have the EKA code as the card is missing from the owners book but even if I did I can't get to the stage where it allows me to enter a code (I guess this is because of the 'sunroof not set' message that has always been there?
So I understand I can ask a main dealer for the EKA but how do I proceed once I have?

Many thanks for any help
Andy
 
Hi Andy, I had the same problem with mine when I first got it, look at all ur docs for the car the EKA code should be in there somewhere if not dealer or someone who can plug it in and find it for u, once u have the code, wait for the 30 mins to enter the code, with the key in the door turn say 6 to the right 8 to the left and so on, to the code u have, if u look up on the net for the workshop manual which is available u can work out how it's done, hope this helps :)
 
On a 1999, once you have the EKA code, and the KEY CODE LOCKOUT message has disappeared, then you need to turn the key to the LOCK position 4 times to tell the BECM to expect the EKA to be entered. It will then 'listen' for the 4 EKA digits being entered.

Digit 1 is entered by turning the required number of times to UNLOCK
Digit 2 is entered by turning the required number of times to LOCK
Digit 3 is entered by turning the required number of times to UNLOCK
Digit 4 is entered by turning the required number of times to LOCK

Then with one final turn to UNLOCK, all the doors should unlock, the alarm/immobiliser disarm and you should be able to start the vehicle.

When entering the EKA digits make sure the key is turned fully to the end of it's travel in each direction and then back to the center. Try and make the key turns slow and smooth - there is no rush to enter it.

If you make a mistake, then open and close the drivers door and start again (after 3 failed attempts you get KEY CODE LOCKOUT again for 30mins - but opening/closing the drivers door will then not count it as an attempt)

Depending on vehicle settings, the first 4 turns to 'lock' could be accompanied by the hazard lights flashing once for every turn. You can count these to see how many turns the BECM has registered.
When you go to enter the EKA digits, the sidelight telltale lamp (on the instrument cluster) will flash once for every turn of the key, and this can also be used to count the number of turns the BECM has registered.

If you don't get this flashing when you are entering the EKA, then it could be possible that your drivers door latch has a failed microswitch which is preventing the key turns from being recognised properly. I have done a downloadable file on my website which show how to test the microswitches, if you are worried this might be the case.

Also, if you have someone near you with a Nanocom or similar diagnostics, then you should also be able to disarm the BECM by entering the EKA with diagnostics.

Hope this helps,
Marty
 
For info..BECM disarm by entering EKA code can only be done with Nanocom if the BECM is labelled PAM V36 or better. Disarm does not work on earlier cars. MY 1999 should be fine. ;)
 
Thanks for the advice chaps. I can't get to the stage where the car will allow me to enter the EKA code, I've tried key in drivers lock, turn 4 times to lock position but nothing is registering, so possibly failed door lock micro switch.
Marty, I'll try and find your downloadable file for micro switch check.
Many thanks
 
Unless the BECM has been changed the Main Stealer should be able to tell you the code from the VIN.

some ask for proof of ownership but generally don't bother when you turn up. Same with replacement keys.

I think @MrGorsky may even have got his over the phone?
 
Grrrrrr said:
Unless the BECM has been changed the Main Stealer should be able to tell you the code from the VIN.

some ask for proof of ownership but generally don't bother when you turn up. Same with replacement keys.

I think @MrGorsky may even have got his over the phone?
Click to expand...


Thanks Grrrrr, I now have the EKA code, I rang up main dealer and they gave me it over the phone! Cheers
 
H
martyuk said:
On a 1999, once you have the EKA code, and the KEY CODE LOCKOUT message has disappeared, then you need to turn the key to the LOCK position 4 times to tell the BECM to expect the EKA to be entered. It will then 'listen' for the 4 EKA digits being entered.

Digit 1 is entered by turning the required number of times to UNLOCK
Digit 2 is entered by turning the required number of times to LOCK
Digit 3 is entered by turning the required number of times to UNLOCK
Digit 4 is entered by turning the required number of times to LOCK

Then with one final turn to UNLOCK, all the doors should unlock, the alarm/immobiliser disarm and you should be able to start the vehicle.

When entering the EKA digits make sure the key is turned fully to the end of it's travel in each direction and then back to the center. Try and make the key turns slow and smooth - there is no rush to enter it.

If you make a mistake, then open and close the drivers door and start again (after 3 failed attempts you get KEY CODE LOCKOUT again for 30mins - but opening/closing the drivers door will then not count it as an attempt)

Depending on vehicle settings, the first 4 turns to 'lock' could be accompanied by the hazard lights flashing once for every turn. You can count these to see how many turns the BECM has registered.
When you go to enter the EKA digits, the sidelight telltale lamp (on the instrument cluster) will flash once for every turn of the key, and this can also be used to count the number of turns the BECM has registered.

If you don't get this flashing when you are entering the EKA, then it could be possible that your drivers door latch has a failed microswitch which is preventing the key turns from being recognised properly. I have done a downloadable file on my website which show how to test the microswitches, if you are worried this might be the case.

Also, if you have someone near you with a Nanocom or similar diagnostics, then you should also be able to disarm the BECM by entering the EKA with diagnostics.

Hope this helps,
Marty
Click to expand...


Thanks Marty, do you have a website link for downloadable file?
 
Ok, so I tested door lock micro switches using the instructions on p38rangerover.com and they appear to work ok, but still can't get the car to recognise any input from the door key?
I disconnected the battery again, put the ignition in position 2 and reconnected the battery and set the sunroof, took key out of ignition, alarm went off, disconnected the battery, waited 30 mins for key code lockout to disappear, made sure doors and bonnet were shut & locked and tried to enter the EKA again, but still nothing, no indicator flashes or lockout if I try and enter wrong EKA codes, just nothing at all!? Going mad here!
 
Can you lower the driver's window and try manually locking / unlocking while doing the same with the key. Seem to remember Tomcat said Rick-the-pick advised this.
 
Grrrrrr said:
Can you lower the driver's window and try manually locking / unlocking while doing the same with the key. Seem to remember Tomcat said Rick-the-pick advised this.
Click to expand...

I can't, with the battery disconnected, key in ignition position 2, battery reconnected, I can operate the sunroof and rear windows but not the front windows? I guess I could reach in the rear window and try?
 
Fixed it! One of the 60amp becm fuses had blown, changed that and I was able to enter EKA, bingo! Thanks for all your help and advice guys
 
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