Hi. I have my ford fiesta 1.4 Tdci and I have had a massive problem of it not starting. I have took it to the ford garage and they quoted me £1600 which I can't afford for a new ECU. I also spoke to another garage and they said that they think it's the ECU. Basically I go to start it up and it doesn't tick over or anything. Basically I tried to start it one day and it started trying to tick itself over, I tried once more and it completely cut off. Can someone please help me as to what I should do? One of my friends said that I should buy a second hand ECU and if it's exactly the same ECU that it might work straight away. If not, then I could get it recoded and it would work. PLEASE HELP! Im giving up!

Give these guys a ring first:

BBA Reman

01634 687222

Do you know why they think its the ECU ?

Have any parts been replaced or swapped to eliminate them before coming to the conclusion that its the ECU ?

My first thought, so long as the immobiliser light goes out when you have the ignition on is to replace the Start Inhibit relay.

If you could give a bit more detail, step by step what you are doing, what lights are on the instrument cluster and any noises etc. would help.

Also, 'ticking over' implies the engine is running at idle speed and I assume you mean 'turning over' as in 'the starter motor is turning the engine over'.

Hey. So I will put my key Into the ignition, I'll turn it and it will make no noise or do anything what so ever. The immoboliser light (red one in the centre) starts flashing. When I had the rac come up and look they plugged in some computer thing and they said if came up with Aprox 20 faults. PCM no connectivity, basically saying there is no connectivity to anyrhing, the dash, low voltage etc. The ford garage charged me £70 per for an hour and they said that I would need a new ecu and for it to be reprogrammed or something. But where I got at and was going to try, is find a second hand ecu with the exact same serial, then fit it in and if needs be, try to reprogramme it.

This is what happens when I put my keys in the ignition and jump leads attached.

This is what happens when I put my keys in the ignition and jump leads attached.

Is there supposed to be an image here?

There was yeah. Won't let me upload. Basically all my lights on the dash come on but the immoboliser light flashes red.

If the battery has gone flat and you are using jump leads you can expect additional fault codes.

I would suggest you find a good local auto electrician and take their advice.

Like I said. I did take it to a local ford garage and they said they ran some checks and I would need a new ECU. If I can pick up a second hand ECU is it worth doing that?

Replacing the ECU will involve reprogramming so you need to find someone who can do this for you which is why I suggested that you find someone competent who can advise you.

I can possibly pick up a new ecu for around £80 and ford garage said reprogramming would cost roughly £80. Do you think I should try this? What's the chance of it working.

At that price its got to be worth trying.

I spoke to the ford garage. And they said that they wouldn't be able to fit and reprogramme it, some specialist has to do it or something. Something to do with an IDS? I really don't know what to do. They said even then it would cost £1600 for them to do that. What do i do.

I was surprised when you said Ford would do it and for that price.

Without sounding like a scratched record find a local specialist like http://ngraysonautoelectricalservices.co.uk/

and take their advise. (google auto electrician for someone in your area)

I spoke to a few of them. They said that they recommend sending away my ECU and get it tested to see if it is actually broke. They said if it is, then they would send it back to me and I would have to get a new ECU and get ford to fit it. E.g- £1600.