MPI electrical/immobilizer problems-wont start
Turbo Mini Forums

Over the last few weeks I have been sorting the bodywork out on my mpi. I have finished this now, the car started first time this morning. When sorting the bodywork I have a bit of a welding mishap whereby a section of the rear loom behind the fuel tank caught fire. This has given me a couple of problems, the indicators wouldn’t work, and the rear fog lamp came on with the brake lights. I have now sorted this and was sure that the section of rear loom was suitably repaired, though it was difficult to see due to the location of the damage. I have tightened the battery terminals.

So after sorting these small electrical problems this morning I tried to start the car again.
However the key fob does not turn off the led alarm/immobilizer led on the dash – the light flashes as normal, after 2 clicks on the ignition the light turns solid, ie no longer flashing, as normal, but the fob will not turn the led off. If you turn the key as if to turn the engine over nothing happens. I have checked all of the fuses. Has anyone else had this problem or does anyone have any ideas as to what this might be? I think its unlikely to be related to the rear loom damage, is anyone able to confirm this?

My thoughts would be to check the starter wiring, however the dash led does not turn off, so im sure its an immobilizer/fob problem. The fob always turns the immobilizer/alarm off first time, so I find it hard to belive that the fob battery would just go flat? I believe it to be an electrical gremlin in the car wiring/ecu/imob.

If anyone can suggest any causes or anything else that I need to check I would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, dan

Flat battery???

my rambling thoughts;

1) could the ecu have been cooked by the welding - I was always advised to dissconnect it when welding.
2) as you say, battery flat in remote?
3) as the battery has been dissconnected etc, could the remote need programming?

Remove and reconnect the battery then press the fob about 10 times. I had to do this with my ex's mpi everytime the battery went flat.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

Is it a one button key for or a two button?

Two button. I have got this sorted now. Went down to the garage and had a play. Disconnected and re connected the battery a few times, had a play with the fob and it works again now. These later cars arent great on electrics - other electrical problems that i have had this week were one of the wires breaking off the starter, and one of the front indicator pins corroding away to nothing. Thanks for the input looking forward to taking it for a spin when im back home after the weekend, dan