Engine came out running a dream, back in - not spark or fuel

1. the4thskin Newbie Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 9

   #1 2nd March 2012, 20:48

   Hi guys, newbi here so be kind
   
   I've read though many posts but still cant find the answer to my problem.
   
   I bought a VTR a few months ago, removed the engine because it was filthy with dirt as was the bay. Replaced the rocker cover gasket as it was like rock, after buying a new radiator, battery and few other metal parts that the gypsies had pinched from the garden the engine went back in.
   
   As indicated in the title the engine turns but will not spark or fuel and the immobilisor light (yellow one with the key?) is flashing.
   
   Now, the key fob was dead when I bought the car so was just using the key (car doesn't get immobilised) but obviously something to do with the engine being taken out has caused the immobilisor to turn on (this is all my guessing really so please correct if I'm mistaken)
   
   The next chapter...I replaced the battery in the fob, then realized that the metal tad that comes off the battery and connects with the other half of the fob when the fob is put together had snapped. I managed to bodge it and it unlocked the car, alarm didn't go off (getting excited now) tried to turn the car over ANNND...no fuel or spark
   
   Like I said I have read through a few other posts and people have had similar problems but nothing quite like this (this is the point where someone will probably post a link to another post and I look silly). I've seen people have had issues when doing engine conversions etc but never when replacing the engine that came out of the car.
   
   So, what do you know?
2. Gabbastard Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 8390

   #2 2nd March 2012, 21:32

   Theres a tag in the key that gets picked up by a collar round the ignition barrel. That needs to match with the code stored in the immobiliser box behind the dash. Im guessing you didnt replace the one in your car with the one from the VTR.
3. user_29491 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.

   #3 2nd March 2012, 21:40

   immobilisor light (yellow one with the key?) is flashing.
   
   Locked ECU mate.
   
   Send it off to be unlocked, then before you re-fit.. make sure you remove the immobilizer box first. So it doesn't lock again.
4. the4thskin Newbie Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 9

   #4 2nd March 2012, 21:55

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Gabbastard Theres a tag in the key that gets picked up by a collar round the ignition barrel. That needs to match with the code stored in the immobiliser box behind the dash. Im guessing you didnt replace the one in your car with the one from the VTR.

   
   The engine wasn't a swap, I took the engine out and put it back in, same engine that was always in the car.
5. the4thskin Newbie Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 9

   #5 2nd March 2012, 21:56

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by saxova immobilisor light (yellow one with the key?) is flashing. Locked ECU mate. Send it off to be unlocked, then before you re-fit.. make sure you remove the immobilizer box first. So it doesn't lock again.

   
   You think this is the only answer? I dont understand why it has locked, surely as far as the car knows it has just had the battery off for a little while?
6. user_29491 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.

   #6 2nd March 2012, 21:58

   I removed my 8v engine.. fitted a 16v.. had some problems..
   
   Tried the 8v ECU .. in the car it came from so ignition/immobilizer was coded to that ECU, and it locked it.
   
   I'd do away with the immobilizer box, if taking ECU on/off imo.
7. Gabbastard Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 8390

   #7 2nd March 2012, 21:58

   as above, if its got the key light flashing, thats the immob.
8. the4thskin Newbie Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 9

   #8 2nd March 2012, 22:01

   Cheers guys, I dont suppose if I unplug the ecu, rip out the immobilisor then replace the ecu it will do anything? I assume the ecu is locked and thats that
9. user_29491 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.

   #9 2nd March 2012, 22:02

   Yeah i'm afraid so.
   
   Worth a try though.. you've nothing to lose lol
10. the4thskin Newbie Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 9

    #10 2nd March 2012, 22:15

    Yeah, suppose you're right, I'll give it a go in the morning and let you know.
    
    Being in the know where would you guys send the ecu off to? Rough price? (Poor uni student)
11. user_29491 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.

    #11 2nd March 2012, 22:27

    I sent mine to ECUREPAIR..
    
    here's his profile, send him a PM.. Think it was around £55..
    
    http://www.saxperience.com/forum/member.php?u=52180
12. the4thskin Newbie Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 9

    #12 2nd March 2012, 22:32

    Spot on pal, appreciate it

    1 user thanked this post: user_29491
13. f13sta Established Member Joined: Sep 2010 loughborough Posts: 2229 1988 ford fiesta mk2 1.4- 2001 black saxo furio (d

    #13 2nd March 2012, 23:24

    hang on before you start ripping the ecu out. stop.
    
    i thought the exact same thing with mine.
    no spark no fuel pump priming.
    imobliser light flashing.
    after two weeks of studying the haynes wiring diagram. and phoning some ecu companys for unlocking prices.
    i realised something.
    i'd put a live as an earth.
    where the starter motor is there is 1 connecter that has a black wire and one that looks identical but is yellow and green.
    i put them both to earth as being a mechanic to me black is earth for modern cars (or sometmes brown) and they yellow and green is earth for household plugs ect.
    
    anyway cut a long story short.
    the black wire needed to be put on the live side of the starter motor.
    swapped them round.
    wasn't expecting much.
    went to turn the key
    and it started up first time.
    couldn't belive it two weeks of pulling my hair out, testing power to the ecu relay, testing wiring and it was a wire on the wrong way.

    1 user thanked this post: user_29491
14. kennym1987 Established Member Joined: Sep 2007 Armadale, West Lothian Posts: 1230 flatty 16v sleeper and a regular vts

    #14 3rd March 2012, 04:03

    the immobiliser light is flashing so the ecu is locked? i had an earth that wasn't attached and had the same symptoms...
15. Cam Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2010 Kent Posts: 8439 Gen 7 Celica 190.

    #15 3rd March 2012, 04:08

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by saxova I removed my 8v engine.. fitted a 16v.. had some problems.. Tried the 8v ECU .. in the car it came from so ignition/immobilizer was coded to that ECU, and it locked it. I'd do away with the immobilizer box, if taking ECU on/off imo.

    He didnt change the engine or ECU so your talking bollocks
16. xaphan Newbie Joined: Feb 2012 medway, kent Posts: 11 Saxo Desire 1.1i 5dr

    #16 3rd March 2012, 11:29

    I've just done a swap, had this problem. Turned out to be sn earth problem on the starter motor.
    
    Before you do anything, CHECK all your wiring, especially the connection not on plugs, you can easily get one wrong...
17. user_29491 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.

    #17 3rd March 2012, 11:37

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Cam He didnt change the engine or ECU so your talking bollocks

    He took the engine out. So I presume he disconnected everything..
    
    And bullshit? Why would I make up I locked my 8v ecu.
    
    Just giving the OP info..
    
    Go somewhere else troll.
18. xsi16v Regular Poster Joined: Jan 2006 Ilkeston, Derbyshire Posts: 469 374 bhp Supercharged 205 GTI, Passat Estate

    #18 3rd March 2012, 11:52

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by saxova He took the engine out. So I presume he disconnected everything.. And bullshit? Why would I make up I locked my 8v ecu. Just giving the OP info.. Go somewhere else troll.

    Putting a different ecu on a car with the black box still plugged in will lock the ecu. Thats obvious really!. If you had of unplugged the black box the immobiliser wouldn't have picked up a different code and locked the ecu.
    
    As said nothing has been changed so there is no way the ecu should be locked. More likely to be a wireing issue
19. user_29491 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.

    #19 3rd March 2012, 12:09

    It was the original ecu.. so the immobilizer box was coded for that ecu.. But for some reason it still locked it. So thought i'd mention it..
    
    I obviously unplugged it when I fitted my 16v ecu. That isn't locked, as im using it now..
    
    Just saying imo that i'd leave the box off..
    
    Now back on topic lol..