Mondeo '07 model - immobiliser active

bistrita

Hi,

Today I was using the car for about 70km on various trips. Came home and had 2 hours rest.

When to go out and tried to start the engine I got a message: engine malfunction and a red triangle and a exclamation mark on it.

I stopped the engine and thought the oil or something else may be wrong, checked under the bonet.

Then next I tried to restart and got the message: immobiliser active

I had a small problem with my car battery running low, so I went to Halfords and got a brand new car battery.

However no luck to start de car's engine and the message is still there.

I have the original keys with me, and no hint or trouble before.

On ignition, once the spark signal is gone from display (on position II), I can't move the key to position III on the ignition trunk. It is blocked.

What can I do (except going to a Ford garage to havei it checked)?

It needs to be up and running before Monday 9.30am (when is due for NCT)

RobiB

Hi
I have a similar problem with my Ford.

I believe that you already found solution to your problem and hope that you will be willing to share it with me and other people on the forum.

I have a Ford Mondeo Titanium 2.0 litre engine, TDCI, 58 registered. I bought it just 2 months ago from my friend who had it as a company car. I believe it was well maintained with required servicing. But now I encountered a problem. I am rather new to Ford cars, so I would appreciate any your help with the following issue.
I used my car 2 days ago without any problem. But today, I tried to start the car but the dashboard says: Engine malfunction, Immobiliser active. The engine does not want to start.
For couple of weeks I have been getting dashboard messages like: Stop Bulb Fault but all lights were ok. Other message was Low Battery when using a radio even for a short time but I assumed that the battery is OK as the car used to start without any problem.
About a month ago I had to change a fuse for a cigar lighter. Now I checked visually all fuses in engine and under glove compartments but found no blown fuses. I also tried the spare car key to start the engine but without success.

Now I have no idea what could have happened.
I would like to avoid going to unknown garage or usually expensive service by a Ford dealer.

I appreciate your help with solving this issue.

Cheers,

Robert

bistrita

HI Robert,

It looks like the batery was too low and in order to prevent further damages to the electronics of the car the computer blocks all attempts to start the engine, even you may replace the batery (which you need to do it anyway).

The solution is to have the car towed away to the nearest FORD authorised dealer to have the computer reset. It costed about 180 Euro for this procedure.

Since then everything is ok and well.

I have the actual car for 4 years and had replaced dozen blown bulbs (head, main, break, position, indicator) for some strange reasons. However no blown fuses were found.

On the old mondeo (Model 97) that was very rare.

RobiB

Hi bistrita

Thank you very much for your response.
I will most probably need to change the battery as you advised but would prefer to avoid towing and resetting costs for obvious reasons.

I have three more questions.
Was the reset of the computer necessary due to disconnection of the battery or the engine malfunction issue blocking operation of the ignition (keeping the immobiliser active)?
If the first one maybe I can charge the battery (temporarily) without removing it and avoid a visit at the dealer's service.

If the battery went flat, wasn't it related to other fault like alternator not charging sufficiently or poor (-) earth connection ?
In case of your car, did the dealer service have to do any other service on the car except resetting the computer?

Once again thanks for your help.

Robert

bistrita

Hi Robert,

I done the following things myself (DIY):

- recharged the battery in the car oat that time - didn't work
- got a different car to give my car power - didn't work
- got a brand new battery installed - didn't work

Then I called my insurance (quinn direct) and asked them to tow my car to the nearest FORD dealer, where they checked the fuses, control unit (computer) and connections cables + resetting the computer.

The "warning sign" was due to lower battery and prevention of future failures that might affect the engine. This is why it blocked the ignition by activating the immobiliser.

You can remove the battery for some minutes without affecting your computer or any function of the car, except the radio code that you need to know it before using it again.

From calling some tech guys in the motor industry they told me that this is the only option to have the car starting again - reseting the computer at the authorised dealer.

George Dalton

bistrita wrote: »

From calling some tech guys in the motor industry they told me that this is the only option to have the car starting again - reseting the computer at the authorised dealer.

Or any garage that has the gear to do it. Doesn't have to be a Ford dealer.

bistrita

George,

I agree with you.

I choosed a FORD dealer because I wanted to be done in a FORD garage in case it needed other adjustments (plus I need it urgently as was a Saturday and Monday had the NCT).

RobiB

Hi

Once again thanks a lot for your advice. It helped me to build my confidence to make a decisions. I called some local garages and the Ford dealer. Local garages did not have required diagnostic equipment except one. Ford dealer wanted £110.70 for 1 hour diagnostic and service. The towing cost for me would be £50 +VAT.
So I decided to give the car to local garage which is equipped with Ford engine diagnostic tools. Luckily I was able to avoid towing costs. The diagnose of the failure will cost me £40 +VAT. If it is confirmed that this is just flat battery the computer reset will be included in the price. Hopefully this is it. If battery is to be replaced it will cost me ~£100 (Bosh or Excide with 5 year warranty). I will update you on the progress with sorting this issue.

Once again thank you for your assistance.

Robert

RobiB

Hi
Unfortunately, my local garage found it impossible to make their (Ford specific) diagnostic equipment to talk to my car's computer.
From a Ford Dealer I learned that if the issue is related to immobiliser it is extremely difficult to communicate with car computer and only Ford Dealers have special equipment to make it happen and reset the computer.

So reluctantly I booked my visit with local Ford Dealer.
Soon I will post further updates.

Cheers

brembo26

Thats crazy carry on with such a new car, seems like a common issue?

RobiB

Hi
In my case the dealer said that the fault is with PCM the engine controller. The dealer priced the PCM part for £892.29 + 20%VAT. The dealer offered 10% discount as good will. So the price for main part from this dealer would be £964.
This is still far more than I can really handle. The dealer agreed to install the PCM if new purchased from other source.

Therefore, I would appreciate if you could advise me about any possible and reliable source of new spare parts for Ford. I need to give the service my respond very soon so please respond to this post promptly.

Thanks in advance.
Robert