P38A Not starting

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Terry Metson

Terry Metson

New Member
Posts
5
Location
Lincs
my diesel 2000 p38 is having a bad time.
It shut down on weds last week and refused to do anything, walked up to it after work and it won't unlock on the button.
EKA code won't work, no start, so walked home.
Came back with the laptop and RSW software and had a check to be told that it's a French V8 manual with lhd sunroof and foglights, with a mileage of 999999 and a different eka code.
On Friday night as I walked past it I didn't kick it but just happened to try the key and the eka code worked and off we went home. Remote won't work still but at least it drove home.
On sat I walked up to it and not only did the the remote work but it started as well.
Monday morning no joy back to square one, remote not working and eka code not working, when you turn the key nothing happens apart from the drivers door knob going up and down.
Is there a reset or fix or is it a new becm time.

Terry
 
Battery is good, had starting issues over winter, and fitted the biggest tractor type battery that would fit, never had a starting issue after that.

I am two miles outside Lincoln
 
It sounds like an RF interference problem to me.

If it does it again, try disconnecting the RF receiver (either the antenna or the power to it) and then try entering the EKA.

I don't think it's a case of the BECM being faulty - but the older RF receivers let through ALL the interference and if that's bombarding the BECM then it can get confused and ignore attempts to enter the EKA, or you won't be able to enter it properly.
 
martyuk said:
It sounds like an RF interference problem to me.

If it does it again, try disconnecting the RF receiver (either the antenna or the power to it) and then try entering the EKA.

I don't think it's a case of the BECM being faulty - but the older RF receivers let through ALL the interference and if that's bombarding the BECM then it can get confused and ignore attempts to enter the EKA, or you won't be able to enter it properly.
Click to expand...
Well found the rf receiver under the back window under the parcel shelf support and it's made no difference.
Doesn't register the eka code and engine still won't start, display just says engine immobilised
 
Terry Metson said:
Well found the rf receiver under the back window under the parcel shelf support and it's made no difference.
Doesn't register the eka code and engine still won't start, display just says engine immobilised
Click to expand...

Engine immobilised means it needs EKA. If you can't enter it you will have a problem with the switches on the drivers door lock. Get someone with a Nanocom to put it in or disable the immobiliser.
 
Terry Metson said:
Well found the rf receiver under the back window under the parcel shelf support and it's made no difference.
Doesn't register the eka code and engine still won't start, display just says engine immobilised
Click to expand...

I've attached a test sheet I wrote awhile ago for the door latch microswitches.
It is worth testing these to make sure that they are all working, as the CDL and key switches are used in the entering of the EKA code. If one of these has gone faulty or intermittent, then it could be causing your problem of not being able to enter the EKA.

If they all check out, then it could be that the RF interference has caused the BECM to go into an alarm lockout mode, which needs to be reset with specialist diagnostics. It seems to be the season for them as I've got 3 to look at when I get home from my current work trip!

But check the latches first, and then see if anyone is nearby who can try entering the EKA via diagnostics as Wammers suggests. If it still won't accept it via the diagnostics, then chances are it's in lockout and will need to be sent off to someone like myself, or Callrova who have the gear to reset it.
 

Attachments

  • P38 Door Latch Tests.pdf
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Terry Metson said:
my diesel 2000 p38 is having a bad time.
It shut down on weds last week and refused to do anything, walked up to it after work and it won't unlock on the button.
EKA code won't work, no start, so walked home.
Came back with the laptop and RSW software and had a check to be told that it's a French V8 manual with lhd sunroof and foglights, with a mileage of 999999 and a different eka code.
On Friday night as I walked past it I didn't kick it but just happened to try the key and the eka code worked and off we went home. Remote won't work still but at least it drove home.
On sat I walked up to it and not only did the the remote work but it started as well.
Monday morning no joy back to square one, remote not working and eka code not working, when you turn the key nothing happens apart from the drivers door knob going up and down.
Is there a reset or fix or is it a new becm time.

Terry
Click to expand...
there is a reset using the key in the door. my mate has a P38 and he knows how to do it. i'll find out and get back to you. in the meantime, see if google can give you the reset sequence.
 
Bobdog said:
there is a reset using the key in the door. my mate has a P38 and he knows how to do it. i'll find out and get back to you. in the meantime, see if google can give you the reset sequence.
Click to expand...

The EKA code is input with the key. There is also a key sync method using the key but that won't work unless the EKA has been accepted.
 
Bobdog said:
worth a try though, has he tried it?
Click to expand...

You can sync the key by pressing lock button holding and moving to lock. Return to upright then press unlock and hold and turn to unlock. But that will not be accepted until EKA has been input and accepted. If the key is out of sync you CANNOT sync it unless engine immobilised has been removed from message centre by inputting EKA code.
 
Well more developments.
The key in the door is not operating the central locking when it's moved to lock or unlock but it is locking and unlocking the tailgate so I assume the micro switches must be ok.
I am more concerned by the data from the software which shows it to be a French manual v8 rather than the English diesel auto it is.
 
Terry Metson said:
Well more developments.
The key in the door is not operating the central locking when it's moved to lock or unlock but it is locking and unlocking the tailgate so I assume the micro switches must be ok.
I am more concerned by the data from the software which shows it to be a French manual v8 rather than the English diesel auto it is.
Click to expand...

BECM has gone to lockout. Sometimes can be recovered with a Nonocom but if not special diag needed. Read this. http://www.nanocom-diagnostics.com/downloads/preview/p38-becm
 
Terry Metson said:
Well more developments.
The key in the door is not operating the central locking when it's moved to lock or unlock but it is locking and unlocking the tailgate so I assume the micro switches must be ok.
I am more concerned by the data from the software which shows it to be a French manual v8 rather than the English diesel auto it is.
Click to expand...

The fact the key only opens the drivers door implies that it is expecting the EKA code. There are 3 microswitches in the drivers door latch - one tells if the door is open/closed, the second if it is locked/unlocked (which also controls the tailgate - so this one is working) and a third which tells if the key has been turned. If either the key switch or CDL switch (or both) have failed, then it the EKA won't be transmitted properly.

If it is saying French, Manual etc then chances are it's gone into lockout, and as Wammers says - sometimes can be recovered by entering EKA via a Nanocom or similar. If that still doesn't work, then it needs the BECM being removed and sent away to someone like myself, or Callrova, or one of the other specialists who have the equipment to reset the lockout.
 
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