Is there any 'intelligence' (like a chip) in a PUMA key? Won't start with Spare Key.

[spudboy]

Here's the scenario on our 2007 110 PUMA:
- Changed battery yesterday
- driven a few times no dramas
- Today, I got out the second key (we are going away for a week - thought it would be good to take a backup key in case original one got lost)
- Tried to start with 2nd key, which it did for about 2 or 3 seconds, then engine died
- Tried restarting a couple of times - but no go
- Thinking at this stage that I have a dud battery connection (due to yesterday's change)
- Got the original key once again - starts no problems
- Tried the 2nd key once again, and now it starts?!?!?

Does the ECU talk to the key at all?

It only looks like a thin plastic cover on the key - so would be pretty surprised if there is any intelligence there (unlike, say, my Range Rover key which is big and fat and probably full of electronics).

Any ideas?

[Drover]

Sound more like an immobiliser issue.

Mine does a similar thing every now and then, fires seems to start for a second and stops. Turn the key nothing, but the dash light are all on.

If I lock it with the button, wait a couple of minutes, and then unlock it with the button it will start.

I think this is what your's is doing. Next time try my fix

Cheers

[Allan]

Sound more like an immobiliser issue.

Mine does a similar thing every now and then, fires seems to start for a second and stops. Turn the key nothing, but the dash light are all on.

If I lock it with the button, wait a couple of minutes, and then unlock it with the button it will start.

I think this is what your's is doing. Next time try my fix

Cheers

Same with mine about one a year, very odd. The force is in them (Ford).

Allan

[dullbird]

with our normal set of keys if the car is left unlocked for a period of time and then we hop in to start it the car will immoblise itself, you can not start it.

while in the car you lock the door with the fob and wait a second or two and then unlock put the key in and it fires first time.

I dont think its a fault I think its meant to do it. there was a service tip out on it sometime ago... we found this out when we had our immobliser issues.

[spudboy]

OK - I have done some more testing.

If I have the original set of keys near the car - it will start, so I've worked out that it is an immobiliser issue.

Trouble is - the 2nd set of keys is just that - there is no immobiliser 'plip' thing that came with them.

Looks like I'll have to get a 2nd immobiliser to sort this out. Wonder why I only got 1 when I bought the car? Is the 2nd immobiliser likely to be somewhere in the car (under the driver's seat or something)? Reckon I got dudded, so will have to buy another as it is well out of warranty now.

Thanks for the comments chaps.
David

[dullbird]

Have you checked under the bonnet Im sure i have read somewhere that they have been placed there before

we were given ours on the second set, you should have a second fob

[spudboy]

You know - I thought there might be another key under the bonet, as I had a vague recollection that my TD5 came with a fob zip-tied to some wiring under the bonnet.....

I have checked with a torch but nothing obvious.

Will have a proper look in the morning. Thanks for the memory prompt.

[spudboy]

Looks like it might have been a common issue: Spare alarm key fob for 110

[Allan]

I also had an ignition barrel problem with mine, replaced under warrenty. I thought this may have been the cause but it did it again north of Broome. As I said, since I took it in to the dealer and mentioned it, there has been no problem since. I think dulbird has got the answer in that its supposed to do that.

Allan

[jc109]

I believe all the electrickery is in the fob. Provided the fob is near the barrel the key will work. Occasionally (say if I'm surfing or something) I will pull my keys off the keyring and I'll leave the fob under the steering column and take the key with me as it's not prone to water damage. When I jump in it'll start no dramas provided I haven't moved the fob.