Hi all , in a nutshell I am stuck and would appreciate any help possible,
I have a mk2 2.3zetec that cut out for no reason twice recently but restarted ok and then cut out and would not restart , no cough or splutter no elect power loss just cut out , key will not spin starter , I have read online the fault could be relay 30 which raised my hopes but now a friend of my wife has plugged a diagnostic into it (dunno what one) and has told the wife itââ,¬â,,¢s an ecu fault which sounds kinda terminal !!
Which sounds more likely ?and could a faulty relay point the diagnostic tool to the ecu or would it point direct to relay if it was at fault ?
Any help would be great as now car is stuck in a pub car park in Camberley leaving me with a 3 mile walk everyday to work
Thank for reading
What came up on diagnostics to make them think ECU fault?
Not had any experience with the petrols but I think I have read relay 30 kills power to ECU,got to be worth trying a new relay for what they cost in my opinion.
Can you swap another relay from something unvital like the heated screen into that position as a temporary measure?
Thanks for your reply
Yes definitely , sounds good idea only prob is my screen is also faulty only heats about a 4ââ,¬Âstrip on passenger side would that me screen or relay fault ?
If you rekn screen relay could be ok what number and where is it and I will have a go ,
Thank you
Quote from: mike wilson on January 29, 2019, 10:13:54 AM
Can you swap another relay from something unvital like the heated screen into that position as a temporary measure?
Wish I knew mate , I was at work at the time he came to the pub where she works, all the mrs told me is it was quite a big unit he used she cannot remember the exact terminology but he said it reads knackered ecu
Sorry replied to wrong post there
Easiest way to diagnose a relay 30 fault (provided the led works) is to look at the led on the drivers door - rapid flashing and failing to turn over on a mk2 would indicate some form of immobiliser fault, this could be relay 30, could also be a faulty key (transponder chip fallen out or died).
If its rapidly flashing - do you have another key? If so does that get it mobile again? If so then get the original key fixed (a laptop, forscan and a lead and replacement pre-coded transponder chip would allow you to add another chip, or find the missing chip and stick it back into the key).
Best bet if the key is ruled out (and usually if its relay 30 it will be intermittent rather than constant) is to take the fusebox out (drop it down from its mounts) and find relay 30 (its on one of the rear panels so can't be accessed until dropped down). Either take the number off yours and find a replacement, or find someone who knows how to use a soldering iron and get them to resolder the joints on the pcb inside the relay (the top will slide off if you prise the edges up so it unclips).
Its also worth a good look at the fusebox near the battery, as these can and do fail due to poor crimps on the cables, and can cause all manner of issues as they start melting. Fix for that is a replacement fusebox, and soldering the thicker cables to their connectors to improve contact and stop them getting hot.
All of the above bits you should be able to look at yourself without having to spend any money - checking the chip is inside the key (they can fall out if people drop the keys or start playing with them) checking the door relay and the wires/casing of the fusebox.
Many thanks for your reply I will check for flashing led tomorrow , only have the one key so hope itââ,¬â,,¢s not that, it does appear in one piece though.
Very happy to learn of a possible solution , will report back with my findings ,
Read a post about getting to this relay and it donââ,¬â,,¢t sound fun is it as big a job as it sounds only asking as I will be fiddling away from home in a car park and would it be best to try and get it towed home before I begin
Thanks again this helps lots
Accessing the relays is awkward but itââ,¬â,,¢s not an extremely difficult job just a bit time consuming,before getting towed I would check out the relay as if it is that you can save yourself the hassle of arranging a tow back if you can replace it there.
Nice one thanks just wanted to make sure it was the kind of thing that is do,able in a car park
HIGHLY unlikely to be a knackered ECU, intact I've never seen a failed one just a lot of people and garages who don't know how to fault find and diagnose faults (no offence intended to your mate).
Where is the SW are you?
Thanks mirez, a relief to hear that
I am more south than sw it was the closest option there was I am actually in Camberley in Surrey
Update
Walked to car , still no start , no flashing led on door panel when attempting to start
I removed fuse cover and tapped the fuse box with my hand and then reattempted to start it , and it started !
So I thought I would get it to the house a bit sharpish , got home no prob turned it off and tried to restart and it restarted ?? Was not expecting that
Is this still relay 30 with no flashing led ?
Itââ,¬â,,¢s defo a relay problem if a calibrated Tao off fuse box got it going,not a clue with the petrols if any other relays could cause that.
Sure brianh will know as he is familiar with petrol galaxies
Thanks
Sounding better with ever post !
Will hold fire on pulling her apart and see what other replies advise
Many thank would be stuck with everyoneââ,¬â,,¢s help as there is no way I can afford to pay a garage
Definitely pull it apart - I found slamming the drivers door a few times was enough to get it working again and get me off the m40 (and back home) when it played up on mine. It will cause it to cut out when driving. Resoldering the joints will sort it (they will be cracked and able to move, hence they play up)
From memory i think its a torx screw to undo the dash, but even not knowing what your doing should only take around 1/2 hour to work it out. Most of the screws on the lower section are easily found.
I'd guess if the led isn't flashing, that its been unplugged when someone has had the door card off - it should flash every so often when locked, plus i think when you unlock the car it should come on briefly until you put the key in and try to start, if you don't see it come on at all its not working, but that won't be the starting/running problem.
Thanks Brian I will seek relay 30 tomorrow
The led in door panel does work when I lock car from remote and flashââ,¬â,,¢s but no flash when I tried to start
Well happy to find out itââ,¬â,,¢s fixable itââ,¬â,,¢s a great car otherwise
Will keep you updated
Gotcha !!!!
I think
Certainly looks like a dodgy joint there.
Definitely - redo them all if I were you as theres at least 4 that are going bad and you don't want to get back in there too soon (they will go again eventually, but a new one will do the same thing after a few years)
Resoldered and refitted then found out battery was dead so swapped battery and tried to start it , she started fine , so went for a quick run to petrol station as a test and no prob have now been able to drive it to work instead of walking and its looking good that I should be able to drive home later tonight
Fingers crossed but I think thanks to all your advice I am fixed !!
Massive thanks to you all for your time patience and knowledge
Will be in touch soon as the next bit fails or falls off
Chuffed to bits thank you oh galaxy gurus