Connie se 2.5 v6 engine disabled issue

[Dickyod69]

Hi all I'm new to the forum and have recently found a 2001 2.5v6 se with 33000 genuine miles on it !
Full history ,cambelt done etc. One owner since new .it has been sat a while but had been run up regularly . Although the battery was NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-,Went to pick it up with a fresh battery, but got the dreaded engine disabled display .no start etc has two keys ,neither work .no cash has changed hands at this point so is it worth taking the risk or will I be chucking cash down the proverbial .I'm new to rovers so any advice will be appreciated .regards rich

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Dickyod69

.. got the dreaded engine disabled display .no start etc has two keys ,neither work ...

Hi Rich,

Whatever is the cause, I'm afraid you'll have a task on your hands. It's not a good sign that two keys aren't recognised by the car's immobilisation ECU (each contains a transponder which should be programmed to the car) as it suggests that the problem lies with the car.

Have you asked the owner whether the immobilisation ECU has been changed?

Simon

[Dickyod69]

Thanks for the reply , the car is totally original and has only been used for the last two years to get it to the mot station and back ,and run around the block once a month by the owners son , I'm trying to weigh up potential costs versus the car value , it's such a low mileage beautiful car would hate to not buy it if i can sort the issue without it getting into stupid money .there is no water in the plenum and I'm not sure if there's any one local (I'm in norfolk )who would have the right diagnostics to sort it .

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Dickyod69

... I'm trying to weigh up potential costs versus the car value ...

Don't worry about that Rich. Its monetary value is irrelevant if you really want to own it and you clearly do.

There are a few club members who are particularly knowledgable about the immobilisation system but two of them rarely contribute to the forum these days and the third is based miles away from you on the south coast (but you could send him a PM for advice).

From the MG Rover manual I can tell you that the transponder in the key fob sends a rolling code to the immobilisation ECU and the two must match. This might be the problem.

Did both keys unlock the doors normally using the key fob buttons?
If the car has automatic transmission, the selector must be in 'P' or 'N'.

Simon

[Dickyod69]

Thanks Simon ,
Your right , I really want this car ,it's in pretty amazing condition the owner is about 70 yes old and has had it since new , I owned alot of classic cars in the past but have been looking for something to tinker with and enjoy rather than restore and this 75 ticks alot of boxes . Yes both keys worked the central locking .regards rich

[Yorkshire GOC]

Immobilisation ECU's have been known to suffer water ingress - i think the ECU is in the A pillar but am sure others will confirm or otherwise.

[dave lincs]

It may be possible to resync it with a t4 but I'm about 100 miles away

[dave lincs]

Just a thought are the chips still inside the key cases as if new cases are fitted then they might not have been changed over

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Yorkshire GOC

Immobilisation ECU's have been known to suffer water ingress - i think the ECU is in the A pillar but am sure others will confirm or otherwise.

Yes, it's behind the light switch module and that's a good call from Martin, especially if the car has a sunroof. Was it kept outside or garaged Rich?

Simon

[vitesse]

And if he, or anyone kind soul nearby, reads it with Toaf, and Toaf can't find the module that would indicate a defective EWS.

A physical check for oxide and missing pins would be even better, but isn't that easy without security torx.

Regards