[markesprit]

Hi everyone brand new to this forum I hope someone can help with a dead 1996 spider.
We've had the car for a number of years and it's always been pretty good but if left for more than a week or so the keycode system nearly always plays up and it takes ages and loads of attempts with the different keys to get the light to go out.
The problem I have now is that the keycode light won't come on and it won't start.
The first time this happened was a few months ago after a couple of days and a bit of relay tapping and wire wiggling it decided to go and was fine until a few weeks ago when it happened again but this time it will not start just turns over.
The concensus was that it was a failure in either the ECU or the code box. I had the ECU reprogrammed to bypass the code system, didn't work.
I have just bought a complete second hand system including key, code box, ECU, ignition and aeriel pickup.
Guess what - didn't work.
It's exactly the same, no code light no start.
Can anyone help- its doin my head in.

thanx Mark

 

[Stixy]

Have you check all the fuses? The CODE 10A fuse (G389) should be located on the auxiliary bracket above the main fusebox inside your car. The Injection 40A (S36) fuse is located in the boot near the battery, I think behind.

 

[markesprit]

I have, more than once.

Thanx Stixy. M

 

[Stixy]

According to the wiring diagram for your car there are no relays. so that leaves either a bad earth, or a break in the wiring somewhere in the system. Time to get the multimeter out...

 

[markesprit]

Thanx again Stixy will investigate this weekend.

Mark

 

[wayne-dear]

I had a similar problem, diagnosed by the legendary 'Gus' at Alfatune, turned out to be a 'dry earth' on the back of the engine, earth lead was loosened slightly and with the nut on top still gripping twisted the earth lead left and right (cleaning itself and making better contact)
hey presto, code light was back and went out when the key was turned and the engine still runs sweet as a nut.....

 

[markesprit]

Thanx Wayne I will investigate.

Mark

 

[alfaman22]

Any Luck with your alfa issues Mark, have you tried a hammer

 

[bembo449]

i bought mine with the same issue but i think there's something far more sinister going on under the bonnet of my spider

 

[markesprit]

No luck yet. losing interest in it.

 

[barney666x]

I know that feeling! After a week's worth of cleaning all the connections and relays fitting new ariel around ignition barrel and drinking beer & cursing a lot, I was ready to give up and split her for parts! Then i remembered what any car or bike electrician will tell you - intermittent fault can only be few things - bad connection, component failure, or in most cases bad earth. The code box shares the earth with some other earth cables and connects to the intake manifold on the engine. If you standing in front of the car, then on your right side of the engine, right by the injector No4 behind the thermostat, right next to the throttle body you'll see a thick cable with a eyelet bolted to the intake manifold. Take it off, give it a good clean with wire brush, as well as the bit where it's bolted to. I've put some electrical grease on there as well to stop it corroding. Never had any problems since. Key code light always goes off - engine starts! Even with a tiny 10 year old battery that barely turns the engine over.(300 CCA when new!) Give that a try. You might have a brake in the earth cable from code box, it's the pin No4 - a black cable - check continuity with earth. If you have a manual it's on the page 55-28 page 4. The big earth on the engine is the G131a for early gtv, or G60 on later gtv - Page 55-28 page 16 or 16/1. The location is on page 55-28 page 18. As for the key code light on the dash not coming on - i've no idea. have you checked the light bulb?
Hope this helps and saves a spider from extinction !

 

[markesprit]

thanx Barney I really appreciate your time. I have had the dash out to check the bulbs but they are not the usual bulb/holder type so I thought best left alone. I will look for that earth under the bonnet although the code box does appear to be earthed.

Thanx v.much Mark