Hello all, read the forums for a while but never got involved, but now i'm in need of help so here goes:

Parked up the mrs's 03 plate 1.2HTP Fabia before going on holiday for the week. Never had any problems with the car other than a faulty sensor last year. Got back from holiday and the car wont start. When the ignition key is turned the dash lights don't come on as normal. The engine spins over with some gust and the battery has been charged to full. Jump starting makes no difference. The indicators, radio, lights and fan all work as normal but no lights on the dash. Every so often the car will fire and run for a second or so then cut out. If anyone has any ideas where to start looking it would be appreciated.

Thanks

Pat Mustard

Sounds like the dash cluster may have died, it houses the immobiliser so that's why it runs and then cuts out.

I would try disconnecting the battery and joining the two disconnected clamps together for a few mins. Connect it back up and see what happens.

Thanks for the speedy reponse, just tried that and same thing happened. You can hear the fuel pump priming etc and the relay clicking but the dash is totally dead. Is the dash cluster problem a common fault? if so is it difficult to replace? Thanks again.

Pat

Will have to go to a dealer to be replaced if that is the problem. I've seen a few do it, be interesting to know if there are diagnostic comms to the dash.

My mate has a scanner which threw up the problem I had before with the coolant temp sensor so I'll hook that up tomorrow and see what it reads. Thanks again.

You've checked all the fuses, right?

No not checked all the fuses as yet , is there a specific fuse for the dash / immobiliser unit?

Thanks

Pat

There is one for the dash I think yes.

Not one for the immobiliser. It is built in to the dash so if the dash isn't working so wont the immob.

Phil

Thanks, Just printed the fuse box layout and it looks like fuse numbers 1 and 16 are the ones to check. At work at the moment but I'll have a look when I get home and report back. Fingers crossed its a blown fuse as otherwise it sounds expensive!

Thanks Again

Pat.

Well, Checked the fuses and all good. Looks like the dash clusters packed in unless anybody else has any ideas I could try?

Just plugged in my mates OBD scanner an get the following:

Instruments - Goes to entering system timer and then says link error

Immobilser - Goes to entering system timer and then says link error

Engine

17978 KWP1281 - Engine start blocked by immobiliser

18058 KWP1281 Power train data bus: Missing mesage from instrument cluster P1650

18018 KWP 1281 Internal control module memory check sum error p1610

Does anyone have any ideas?

Also can the cluster be repaired or is it a replacement job?

Edited 1 October, 201213 yr by patmustard

Does look like the cluster has died.

Does look like the cluster has died.

Can they be repaired or do I have to get a replacement. There are some on ebay but presumably would need coding to the ECU for the immobiliser to work?