Immobilised - help starting a Sprite (MEMS/ECU)
A little epilogue, fortunately it's good news all the way!
I was investigating going down the route of swapping the ECU with another, reconditioned (so
as not to need the code from the immobiliser). I was warned this would cause more problems
that it would solve as the ECU is specific to each model/engine size, date, etc.
I spoke to a man in Birmingham (contact details by request) who came round, reset the ECU
(by plugging in his own debugger/computer) and resync'd the keyfob back to the immobiliser.
It seems the problem I had was that the car had had the battery disconnected (or died) with
the alarm ON (ie set). It is virtually impossible to recover from this position (without the
clever computer to reset it).
If you want to remove the battery from any type of immobiliser system, it is imperative that
the alarm is NOT SET. Upon reconnecting the battery, press the ARM button at least four
times to resynchronise the handset to the car.
It is also pretty much impossible to remove a factory fitted immobiliser from such a car, as
they have a rolling code. The immobiliser gives a code to the ECU each time it starts and
vice versa, so they cannot live apart.
...then the next problem arose - to which he also quickly solved, but I'll include as an
aide to anyone else with similar problems. A simple problem that the engine span, but didnt
kick into life. After checking the sparks were ok (lie each plug out of the engine on the
block, then start the engine), and even checking the fuel wasn't having an effect (it had
been sat there for 3+ yrs - he poured new fuel direct into the air inlet). He then noticed
that the alternator was stuck, and the engine was having real difficulty trying to turn it -
in fact it was just spinning the fan belt, melting it. After cutting the fan belt the
enginer kicked into life.
Now I have a small shopping list to get the car back to a more acceptable state of repair as
it's been sat outside for over 3years. I think I'll start with a new fan belt and
alternator.... watch this space.
Posted: Apr 11, 2007 08:10 PM