P38 diesel has poltergeists?

So, there's a wire soldered onto the lead going to the pump from the engine ECU box.

Could post a photo, perhaps. Think it runs back to a relay.

Incidentally my diesel does not turnover when immobilised, and neither did my 4.0 petrol.

Uncle Fes said:

So, there's a wire soldered onto the lead going to the pump from the engine ECU box.

Could post a photo, perhaps. Think it runs back to a relay.

Incidentally my diesel does not turnover when immobilised, and neither did my 4.0 petrol.

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Think you need to understand the difference between immobilised and out of sync. If you get a message "Engine immobilised" it will not turn over. If EMS and BECM are out of sync there is no message display, it will turn over all day but will not start. Engine immobilised needs EKA code. Out of sync needs EMS security code writing to BECM. All you need to do to stop Engine immobilised is to go into BECM with diag and disable EKA code.

Well, my messages are in French, obviously, but I've been getting 'copure moteur', literally 'engine cut'.

You're right, I didn't realise that there was a difference between being out of sync and immobilised.

It sounds like a nanocom or similar is absolutely essential equipment.

Any recommendations as to which one is the most sensible buy?

Uncle Fes said:

Well, my messages are in French, obviously, but I've been getting 'copure moteur', literally 'engine cut'.

You're right, I didn't realise that there was a difference between being out of sync and immobilised.

It sounds like a nanocom or similar is absolutely essential equipment.

Any recommendations as to which one is the most sensible buy?

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Nanocom Evo by a mile. http://www.nanocom-diagnostics.com/

Well, stripping it to take the engine out noticed that both the black and purple wires to the alarm siren had chafed through around an earth point...

Well, dropped engine in, connected battery, and the central locking works.

Disconnect the battery to reconnect the engine earth lead which we forgot.

Reconnect and the central locking has gone, so I can't switch the alarm off.

Help!?

Uncle Fes said:

Well, dropped engine in, connected battery, and the central locking works.

Disconnect the battery to reconnect the engine earth lead which we forgot.

Reconnect and the central locking has gone, so I can't switch the alarm off.

Help!?

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Try slackening negative lead but don't remove it. Switch ignition to position two then off, remove keys then disconnect negative lead with 17 seconds. Reconnect battery then sync keys. DO NOT reconnect battery with keys in ignition and doors closed. Doors may lock trapping keys in car.

But as the key isn't tripping the central locking and it's not requesting a code even when the battery has been removed?

Apologies if I'm being stupid.

Spoke to a guy who says the becm has locked and needs to be sent off to him with the engine ecu to be unlocked. £150. What do you think?

Uncle Fes said:

But as the key isn't tripping the central locking and it's not requesting a code even when the battery has been removed?

Apologies if I'm being stupid.

Spoke to a guy who says the becm has locked and needs to be sent off to him with the engine ecu to be unlocked. £150. What do you think?

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If you have a BBUS alarm sounder and do not disconnect the battery or the sounder as described it will sound for 4.5 minutes. If you have one of these read RAVE reference it and understand it's function. You cannot sync the key with the alarm set. The only reason you would need to send the BECM away is if it has gone to alarmstate lockout. That can sometimes be cured by entering the EKA code if it is accepted. What the bloke is wanting £150.00 for is re syncing the EMS code as far as i can see. Something you could do in five minutes with a Nanocom or a Syncmate. You really do need to get RAVE and read up on the systems. All BECMs are normally locked. Read this. http://www.nanocom-diagnostics.com/downloads/1556252923.pdf

He felt that the becm had locked.

I personally don't understand why the driver's door lock on BOTH my p38's no longer operates the central locking!

I note in the pdf (which I've read carefully, along with what I take to be an online copy of rave), in says that the Nanocom Evolution is not capable of unlocking the becm.

Now, am I confusing a locked/unlocked becm state with a becm that has gone into some sort of locked mode to prevent the vehicle from being stolen?

Uncle Fes said:

He felt that the becm had locked.

I personally don't understand why the driver's door lock on BOTH my p38's no longer operates the central locking!

I note in the pdf (which I've read carefully, along with what I take to be an online copy of rave), in says that the Nanocom Evolution is not capable of unlocking the becm.

Now, am I confusing a locked/unlocked becm state with a becm that has gone into some sort of locked mode to prevent the vehicle from being stolen?

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The BECM can be set in two states Locked and Unlocked. The BECM being locked or unlocked has nothing to do with the cars ability to start. Read the link i gave you several times to understand this. Basic difference is that with BECM unlocked, key fob and EKA codes are visible using diagnostics. With BECM locked they are not. You need someone with a Nanocom or similar to look at it for you. If you have the EKA code enter that to turn the alarm off. Then sync the fob to the car. Or if you can find someone with a Nanocom get them to go into BECM in diagnostic mode and disable the EKA function. You will then be able to start car and lock and unlock car with key in door but not with fob. The key not switching the locking from the drivers door is another separate problem possibly to do with the door locks themselves.

Dear Wammers

Thank you for being patient with me. I have read it all very carefully. I used to run an IT consultancy and, although I'm not technical, I do have a broad understanding.

The key issue is what I don't understand.

Personally it seems beyond the bounds of probability that both P38's would have a mechanical failure with the driver's door lock within a week of each other and in similar circumstances.

I suspect that there is some state of becm lock down that disables the lock, and consequently stuffs any attempt to enter the eka code.

Now, nanocom evos aren't cheap.

Can I be sure that they will get the becm out of this state of unlock?

Uncle Fes said:

Dear Wammers

Thank you for being patient with me. I have read it all very carefully. I used to run an IT consultancy and, although I'm not technical, I do have a broad understanding.

The key issue is what I don't understand.

Personally it seems beyond the bounds of probability that both P38's would have a mechanical failure with the driver's door lock within a week of each other and in similar circumstances.

I suspect that there is some state of becm lock down that disables the lock, and consequently stuffs any attempt to enter the eka code.

Now, nanocom evos aren't cheap.

Can I be sure that they will get the becm out of this state of unlock?

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Door lock failures are very common, plus RF receiver problems are also common. If both P38's will not unlock from the FOB, it's possible they both have early RF receivers and are being blocked by spurious signals from the likes of wireless door bells, smart electric monitors/meters, WiFi etc.
There is no state in the BECM that will disable the lock, however the FOB can go out of sync which will stop the FOB functioning. Door locks often fail due to the links coming off or micro switches fail so the EKA code will not work, also the motors burn out due to RF receiver failure.
A Nanocom will allow you to check all these possibilities rather than coming up with fantasy theories.

Uncle Fes said:

Dear Wammers

Thank you for being patient with me. I have read it all very carefully. I used to run an IT consultancy and, although I'm not technical, I do have a broad understanding.

The key issue is what I don't understand.

Personally it seems beyond the bounds of probability that both P38's would have a mechanical failure with the driver's door lock within a week of each other and in similar circumstances.

I suspect that there is some state of becm lock down that disables the lock, and consequently stuffs any attempt to enter the eka code.

Now, nanocom evos aren't cheap.

Can I be sure that they will get the becm out of this state of unlock?

Click to expand...

Listen very carefully. The BECM being locked or unlocked has nothing to do with the door locks. The BECM will work quite happily locked or unlocked. When the car is made and the vehicle details are put into it. It can either be left unlocked so some of those details (security code, EKA code and FOB code) on one of the info screens are readable by the factory or locked by the factory were only the security code is readable. If as said earlier you have caused the alarm to be set, you normally cancel that by either entering the EKA code or if the key is synced by pressing the fob. If the key is NOT synced you CANNOT re sync it to the car with the alarm active. You need to enter the EKA code. If you have a lock problem and the main lock is not communicating with the other locks and the BECM you CANNOT do that either. So you need diagnostics. Get someone with diag to disable the EKA function, THEN you can use the key in the lock and start the car. When you have sorted the locking problem you can enable EKA function and re sync the FOB.

Dear Wammers

If I bite the bullet and buy the Nanocom Evo as suggested earlier can I do that myself?

I'm in absolutely the Middle of nowhere here in rural France with virtually no cell signal inside a stone barn, so we should be able to discount spurious inputs...

Uncle Fes said:

Dear Wammers

If I bite the bullet and buy the Nanocom Evo as suggested earlier can I do that myself?

I'm in absolutely the Middle of nowhere here in rural France with virtually no cell signal inside a stone barn, so we should be able to discount spurious inputs...

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Once you get used to it and a read up on it yes you can do that. Pity you are not close to Keith he could sort it for you i am sure.

Uncle Fes said:

Dear Wammers

If I bite the bullet and buy the Nanocom Evo as suggested earlier can I do that myself?

I'm in absolutely the Middle of nowhere here in rural France with virtually no cell signal inside a stone barn, so we should be able to discount spurious inputs...

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Unless you have any kit operating that uses 433Mhz.
Where in France?

At my family home, Chanteix, 19330.

I should say that as the last beam axle, manual gearbox Range Rover I'm absolutely determined to get this to work.

Uncle Fes said:

At my family home, Chanteix, 19330.

I should say that as the last beam axle, manual gearbox Range Rover I'm absolutely determined to get this to work.

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A long way from me then or I could have helped as I have a Faultmate.
A Nanocom and a logical step by step approach is needed.

Uncle Fes said:

At my family home, Chanteix, 19330.

I should say that as the last beam axle, manual gearbox Range Rover I'm absolutely determined to get this to work.

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About 125 miles away, but thinking about it Keith has MSV2 which will be locked to his car so won't be able to help you with diag.