Ducato Remote Malfunctioning - any suggestions?

[johnlc]

The remote ignition/door lock controller on my 2008 van has gone mad!

When we were away last week the indicator lights started flashing randomly when we were parked; the central locking seemed to be clicking on and off by itself and when we wanted to lock/unlock the van using the remote we couldn't do either. I put a new battery into the remote. It generally stopped the crazy behaviour but we still couldn't use the remote and had to resort to locking the driver's door with the key.

Do these remotes wear out? Although the van is 6 years old it has only just turned 23,000 miles after last week's trip.

I understand that a new remote control is very expensive. I haven't asked a Fiat dealer yet, as I am sure they will just say get a new one.

Any alternative fixes, if possible, would be appreciated.

Thanks

[euroserv]

First thing to check is that all of the doors are closed properly. If a door sensor does not think any door is closed it will try to lock, then unlock while flashing the indicators. Next you could try replacing the battery. They normally last a very long time but if the key has been in a bag or pocket for a long time with a button pressed it might have run flat.

If neither of these is the cause; it will require re-programming at the dealer or a new key. If you do go to the dealer, make sure that you have all keys with you. They all have to be programmed together.

[johnlc]

Thanks for your response Nick. I don't think it was either of the two things you mentioned. We checked that all the doors were closed, and I have put in a new battery. I thought it might be something that happens when a battery is on its last legs, but it seems more fundamental than that.

I do carry the van key in my rucksack, and my phone could be right next to it. Is it possible there is some sort of electrical interference that might lead to a need for reprogramming?

I'll contact the Fiat dealer anyway.

Thanks

[Cattwg]

I had an intermittent fault on my indicators a while ago that also seemed to affect the key fob. Below is the information I posted after successfully fixing it. This may not be applicable to your problem but the symptoms are a bit similar.

 

“I recently had a very intermittent fault on the off-side indicators – the front one would work, the dashboard repeat would work but the rear indicator would not. I checked the usual suspects bulb, poor connection, fuse etc. but to no avail. The problem worsened a few days ago when the key fob and separate alarm fob became ineffective. I eventually found a blown fuse in the alarm unit – changed it and all the faults cleared. All was OK – or so I thought!!

On rechecking that the fault was indeed cleared I saw that a different fault had manifested itself - neither of the indicators were working properly – a completely different problem.

Further investigation found that the wiring bundle from the doorjamb into the driver’s door had chaffed on the metal work. So much so that bare wires could be seen in two distinct areas – hence the blown fuse. I repaired this and covered the wiring bundle with plastic tubing.

I then checked the passenger side and again there were signs of chaffing. So I resorted to the tubing again”.

 

So, if you have any strange electrical faults that involve anything to do with the cab doors I suggest you check the wiring between the bodywork and the door. This may save you hours of frustration and/or a large auto electrician’s bill.

 

Cattwg :-D

[colin]

Cattwg - 2014-10-07 7:09 PM

 

 

So, if you have any strange electrical faults that involve anything to do with the cab doors I suggest you check the wiring between the bodywork and the door. This may save you hours of frustration and/or a large auto electrician’s bill.

 

Cattwg :-D

 

Even with no problems sorting that is a good idea. It seems odd that one panel has a grommet, but the second one doesn't, if you feel the edge it is very sharp and the loom rests on it. I went about it the other way around and fitted a split grommet to the hole.

[Billggski]

Fiat dealers, like dealers of all makes, only really know about new models, and will swap original equipment new parts under warranty until the fault clears.

An independant garage specialising in the make will have more experience of older models and the things that go wrong over time. As would an auto electrician, many who can programme keys.

Both would charge considerably less than a main dealer.

[euroserv]

Billggski - 2014-10-07 9:51 PM

 

Fiat dealers, like dealers of all makes, only really know about new models, and will swap original equipment new parts under warranty until the fault clears.

An independant garage specialising in the make will have more experience of older models and the things that go wrong over time. As would an auto electrician, many who can programme keys.

Both would charge considerably less than a main dealer.

 

You are quite right about the above except for the key programming. Many key suppliers can programme immobiliser codes onto keys if the code is held in the key but many now are not. The ECU has to learn the code from the key offered to it rather than the key accepting a code from the immobiliser (which could be copied). For this reason only the Fiat diagnostic tool and certain after-market units can accomplish this but still only for the immobiliser. Codes for locking, unlocking and deadlocking are not so easily done and would need the Fiat tool to do it.

It's very annoying and potentially expensive but it prevents unauthorised keys being produced willy nilly.

[johnlc]

Thanks to everyone for your responses. Here's an update.

The batteries I bought in the wilds of Northumberland were 8 for £1, and when I got home and checked them in something else, some were completely dead!

I got more expensive ones thinking they should be fine. Amazingly, one was completely dead.

The other one did operate the central locking once, but wouldn't do again.

I bought two more batteries. Both of these operated the central locking once, but not again.

I called a Fiat dealer asking about reprogramming the keys. It would be £39, plus £25+Vat to get the key code.

When I got a quote from another Fiat dealer and mentioned that some batteries had, once, operated the central locking via the remote, he was adamant that it wasn't a key programming issue, as there would not be any communication at all between the key and the van if it was faulty.

So, I'm guessing that it is a wiring problem somewhere?

As I can operate the door locks with the key, and am away again, I'll keep doing that, and get the wiring investigated when I get back.

[lennyhb]

johnlc - 2014-10-15 10:27 AM

 

It would be £39, plus £25+Vat to get the key code.

 

Have you not got the key code card ?

 

Edit:

Just remembered you don't get one with UK supplied vans.