P38 BCU Problems?

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Paul Wootton

Paul Wootton

Well-Known Member
Posts
189
Location
S.Wales
1997 4L V8 Gems engine,had trouble with engine disabled but when I connect Hawkeye it comes up as no data link,anyone had this problem?
Tried EKA but that does not overcome the engine disabled.
 
Do you have any doors that don't lock or unlock?
I'm not sure about the Hawkeye but the nanocom from a local member could help a little more. Have a look on landyzone-international-rescue.75 and see if there is anyone nearby. ;)
 
No but this was to get rid of superlock activation,which had stopped everything,keypad lockout.
The car started as normal and I drove to our chicken shed about 100 mtrs,came out later and found it had locked down and engine immobilised,keypad did not have any effect so entered the eka.whick allowed the doors to unlock.
 
So the EKA allowed the doors to unlock, but you still get Engine Disabled? Do all the doors lock/unlock on the key in the door now? If so, try syncing the key fob in the door by pressing/holding lock whilst locking the vehicle with the key, and then doing the same with the unlock button whilst unlocking the vehicle with the key.

If the fob then locks/unlocks the doors then try starting it again. IF it doesn't, then maybe try entering the EKA again.

Regarding the diagnostics - there's a few reasons it might not connect. The BECM talks best to diagnostics with the ignition OFF. Also there could be corrosion in the OBD socket, stopping the diagnostics from connecting properly. Also there could be corrosion in the footwell connectors in the RHF footwell where the power from the fuse box to the socket runs through. I've also seen corrosion in the diagnostic wires in the dash loom where they splice to the different ECUs, but it is also worth checking the fuse in the underbonnet fuse box as there's one there for the diagnostic port, and if that's blown then you might not get communication either.
 
Might be something or nothing ,Some time ago mine would not open ,When i did it with the key ,the alarm went off :mad: But next to me was a lorry lifting a car :eek: with a remote control arm ,iv got the wee blue wire disconnected so iv got to be close to the old girl to open her :rolleyes: even so the signal from the lorry must have blocked or scrambled my signal from my fob ,The lorry went away and every thing was good again,.....Do you have transmitter or strong signal next to were you are o_O.....RR...
 
Well I have run out of ideas so it looks as though I will neede to get the becm checked out any suggestions as to who to use.
 
martyuk said:
So the EKA allowed the doors to unlock, but you still get Engine Disabled? Do all the doors lock/unlock on the key in the door now? If so, try syncing the key fob in the door by pressing/holding lock whilst locking the vehicle with the key, and then doing the same with the unlock button whilst unlocking the vehicle with the key.

If the fob then locks/unlocks the doors then try starting it again. IF it doesn't, then maybe try entering the EKA again.

Regarding the diagnostics - there's a few reasons it might not connect. The BECM talks best to diagnostics with the ignition OFF. Also there could be corrosion in the OBD socket, stopping the diagnostics from connecting properly. Also there could be corrosion in the footwell connectors in the RHF footwell where the power from the fuse box to the socket runs through. I've also seen corrosion in the diagnostic wires in the dash loom where they splice to the different ECUs, but it is also worth checking the fuse in the underbonnet fuse box as there's one there for the diagnostic port, and if that's blown then you might not get communication either.
Click to expand...
I have gone through as much as I can and have not found any wiring faults,the key buttons are not functioning but the key locks and unlocks all doors,
the engine is still not allowing entry and trying to re sync keys has failed.
The Hawkeye activates so there is power to the plug but just get No Data Link when I try.The tester is OK as working fine on my disco.
 
As Marty says check the connectors in the Right Footwell. C102 / C202 often cause diagnostic issues.

Does your Hawkeye talk to any other ECU's ok ?
 
pwood999 said:
As Marty says check the connectors in the Right Footwell. C102 / C202 often cause diagnostic issues.
Have checked all nthe mplugs to thye becm and no sign of corrosion
Does your Hawkeye talk to any other ECU's ok ?
Click to expand...
Hawkeye talks to nothing just says no data lin
pwood999 said:
As Marty says check the connectors in the Right Footwell. C102 / C202 often cause diagnostic issues.

Does your Hawkeye talk to any other ECU's ok ?
Click to expand...
Have checked all the plugs to the becm and found no corrosion,tried hawkeye on my other p38 and all works fine.
 
The GEMS has a different method of ECM to BECM sync than the Thor and diesel have. On the Thor and diesel a security code is stored in the ECM ( It cannot be changed in the ECM) when the ignition is switched on the security code stored in the BECM is compared to the code in the ECM, if they match the BECM switches on the ECM and the engine can be started, if they don't match the engine can be cranked for ever but will not start. No message appears on dash. The EKA and passive immobiliser have nothing to do with this function. I am not familiar with GEMS system but from what i can see the security code can change to suit. A code is stored in the ECM and the same code in the BECM if they match when ignition is turned on engine should start if they don't the engine cannot be cranked. With Nanocom if the security learn function is used on the Thor or diesel any scrambled code in the BECM is replaced with the code from the ECM the engine can then be started. If the same function is used on the GEMS both numbers in ECM and BECM are deleted and when ignition is turned on matching numbers are generated for ECM and BECM to enable engine start.
 
Paul Wootton said:
Well I have run out of ideas so it looks as though I will neede to get the becm checked out any suggestions as to who to use.
Click to expand...

I have the tools to reset BECM lockouts, as @brianp38dse mentions.
However, I am leaving the UK on Saturday for awhile as I have work options back in NZ - where there's nothing here in the UK. If the BECM is with me by the latest of Thursday, then I can have it reset and being sent back to you on Friday - otherwise I won't be able to do it, sorry.

It definitely sounds like you have an issue with the OBD port of the wiring to it. It might be possible to sort it out with the Hawkeye if you can get it to connect - so I'd definitely be checking the wiring to the port carefully - they are known to corrode on the pins on the back of the port too.
 
Well finally the problem has been cured.
Thanks to the expertise of martyuk who went through all the possibilities with me on the phone and after checking all the wiring and other units as far as possible there was still no instrument panel,something that seems to be very rare for this to fail but it was my last resort.
I have a later vehicle which I have used for a doner on another p38 out with the panel fitted and everything now works as it should..
Had advice from others that it was the becm,expect they hoped to earn some money for nothing.
 
You have to drive it all day tomorrow to show how grateful you are to lr. All day for any reason you care to make up. ;)
 
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