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        General >> Problems >> Engine will Not start Beeps on turning key
        
(Message started by: macw on Nov 9^th, 2006, 6:59pm)

Title: Engine will Not start Beeps on turning key
Post by macw on Nov 9^th, 2006, 6:59pm

I just came to start my 2.3i R reg Estate after a month or so to find that when I turned the ignition the system just beeped at me and didn't even attempt to start the engine. The alarm and doors seem to open and close without a problem. I had charged the battery while it wasn't being used and I don't think it went flat (I had a previous Scoropio go flat with a key problem. Is there any way the key could have deprogrammed (it was next to another scopio key) or could it have lost registration with the engine management? Unfortunately this is my last key and there is no red key.

Title: Re: Engine will Not start Beeps on turning key
Post by Dave on Nov 9^th, 2006, 7:47pm

Things that spring to mind:

is the PATS LED flashing a code either when the ignition is turned on, or what trying to start the car?

What sort of beep is it - the Scorpio has a few different ones!

Have you tried starting it in N as well as P (if it is an auto)?

Title: Re: Engine will Not start Beeps on turning key
Post by macw on Nov 9^th, 2006, 8:55pm

Dave,
Thanks for the reply. I am not certain what the PATS LED is if it is the one just under the windsheild in the centre it comes one solid for a few seconds then goes off. It also gives the five beeps in position II on the ignition and I noted that the fuel is below 50 miles to empty which may account for the beeps?
I am giving the battery a further charge but my charger says it is still nearly fully charged so I'm not that hopefull.
Does anyone know how this red key system works. The car needs some work on it to pass the MOT that I had decided was worthwhile, but it won't be if I have to get a main dealer to sort out the ignition. It seems a shame to scrap a car in good condition over a key code problem.
Has anyone in Basingstoke got a OBD system I could borrow?

Title: Re: Engine will Not start Beeps on turning key
Post by TiberiuS on Nov 9^th, 2006, 9:10pm

Hello mate.

Don't scrap it whatever you do, problem should be easily sorted once you can find it.

PATS light is the red one on the top of the dash in the centre near the window. It's not that bright so you might need to shade it. Don't get it confused with the larger blue/mauve one up the corner on the drivers side, that's used for the aircon. Mine gets stood up for more than a month at a time now (yes, I know I shouldn't) and has never given me any trouble (yet), just takes a bit longer to fire where the fuel lines lose pressure etc.

The bleeps could be because you're low on fuel, can't say for certain because the last time I let mine get that low was ages back but I do rememer a beep.

If you've disconnected the battery to charge it, check you haven't left off any cables; they can slip down behind quite easily. Other than that I'm thinking bad relays and the like, the possibility of water getting into the electrics somewhere.

Regards, Bruce.

Title: Re: Engine will Not start Beeps on turning key
Post by bootiful-scorpios on Nov 9^th, 2006, 9:12pm

just a thought but have you Check Injection Cut-Off switch in boot ? and did you check that all the leads to the battery were tight

Title: Re: Engine will Not start Beeps on turning key
Post by macw on Nov 9^th, 2006, 9:26pm

Thanks for the replies. After finding the section of the manual on PATS it doesn't look like a PATS fault as there are none of the PATS problem signals on the LED. The LED seems to come on for 3 seconds as if all was normal. The BEEPS looks like it was a red herring caused by the fuel. I'll see if I can get another battery and have a look at the electrics in the daytime. With my old 24V with a dead loom and a few other problems (pre 96) I'm begiining to look like a Scorpio graveyard. The problem is I work abroad a lot and have very little time to work on them.

Title: Re: Engine will Not start Beeps on turning key
Post by Spannerdemon on Nov 9^th, 2006, 9:50pm

You get 5 beeps when the fuel computer registers 50 miles of fuel left.

This will sound whenever you turn the ignition on, once it has reached, or passed this point, to remind you to fill the tank. ;)

I seem to remember that if you don't use the car for over about 10 days, then you need to re-programme the Remote or Key (can't find the info). Can somebody enlarge on this, as it just may be the problem. ???

Title: Re: Engine will Not start Beeps on turning key
Post by Kjetil S on Nov 9^th, 2006, 10:12pm

I'm pretty sure that was the remote. (Or maybe it was that you need to unlock the car by key after ten days, b/c the car will shut off the remote sensor after a while). Atleast I'm pretty sure you don't need to re-code any keys after 10 days :)

Title: Re: Engine will Not start Beeps on turning key
Post by Dave on Nov 9^th, 2006, 10:57pm

Hi,

as above it sounds like PATS is ok and the beeps are for the low fuel.

Is it automatic? If so try starting it in Neutral. The starter motor inhibitor relay could be sticking due to standing about.

The point Bruce makes about the battery cables is important. It is extremely easy to miss a cable, they can become lodged underneath the battery when putting it back in the car and can be difficult to spot.

Title: Re: Engine will Not start Beeps on turning key
Post by TiberiuS on Nov 10^th, 2006, 12:03pm

Remote locking turns off if you don't touch the car for a week or so but mine stands about a lot nowadays (I know, I know, it's not good for it...), a few weeks at a time and I never have any trouble with keys or PATS.

I'm a bit like macw, I use the Mondeo nearly all the time now and as much as I like the Scorpio it just sits there week in week out, much heavier on fuel and it needs some work (like a full service) that I keep putting off, don't like using it knowing it needs work...

Check:

Inhibitor relay, try the car in both P and N as Dave said (but surely then you'd get the door open chime???)

How much other electrical gear works, anything going awol may give some clues.

Both fuse boxes for signs of water, check multiplugs to them.

Fuses in both main boxes (doesn't take long to do), multimeter on lowest ohms range across the 2 metal contacts on top of each fuse, should be near to nil if fuse is intact.

Remove any suspect relays and give them a tap to free up contacts, you can give relays a basic check by putting meter across coil terminals (the little 'block' in diagram on relay) to see if it's intact, I go as far as rigging them up to a 12v supply to see if they energize... If coil intact and 12v supply doesn't move contacts then it's welded.

All guesswork until you can narrow the fault down.

Hope this helps some, sorry if I'm telling you to suck eggs ;)

Regards, Bruce.