I've got a 2003 (53reg) Convoy n/a and it has failed to start due to the immobiliser, due to the imobiliser not recognising either key. It's been with my LDV main dealer for 1 week and still not fixed. They say they have 3 other Convoy's in their workshop with the same problem. They claim to have sent away the faulty box for re-programming and also that the problem was caused by water getting into the unit, and that the imobiliser can't be bypassed to stop this happening again. Did anyone reply helpfully to the previously posted questions? Does anyone know the cause and the cure for this problem, or how common it is?

If you can help please email me at johnharperdelivers@hotmail.co.uk.
Thanks

John Harper, December 2007

LDV Pilot stop solenoid removal on Peugeot diesel engine. 2003.
It's possible to unscrew the hole Dome steel plating unit with some mole grips without cutting the casing off.
Have just done it after spending a day with a drimel not thinking that it was possible.
Learn by doing.

Head scratcer, July 2021

Hello everyone

I have a 2003 Convoy 2.4 Duratorq engine. We had the defective injection pump which was replaced by a new one in standard exchange by a garage but the mechanic can not recode the new pump with the immobilizer despite the test with the Ford system.
Do you know if there is a method to disable the immobilizer as Mr Cardoc has done or by some other means.
Thank you for you precious help.

Nico French, November 2017

Hi
We can supply Ignition key cutting code from your Registration for all the LDV vehicles Maxus/Pilot/Convoy.
If you give us the Reg or Vin we can cut and post the key out to you - it if needs a transponder we can pre code this and you can then get it programmed in locally to the Vehicle via local Auto Locksmith. Or if you send us the existing Key we can clone another and cut it to your vehicle -plug and play.
Kev
Remobilise Ltd
79 Frampton Road
Gorseinon
Swansea
SA4 4XZ
United Kingdom
Tel: 01792 896404
Mob: 0787 142 4445
http://www.remobilise.co.uk
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/remobilise-ltd

Remobilise Ltd, February 2016

lost my keys,drilled barrel out ,turned on with screwdriver all lights on but will not turn over !!! any ideas please,i am stuck in france...

david wright, January 2016

I have a 2003 LDV Convoy with Duratorq turbo engine. Same story really; stuck in the wrong keys, got them hammered out by AA who told me they would not be accountable if malfunction occurred. Got away with it as the van started like normal on my proper keys. Three weeks later, I stuck in wrong set of keys again, and this time it turns out to be a problem.

The van won't start as the key don't fit. I really need to get out of the spot I am stranded in, and have opened the ignition barrel to attempt a screwdriver start with the key taped to it. Am awaiting a replacement barrel in the post.

No luck with the screwdriver though, as the immobiliser seems to have kicked in. Battery flattened, immobiliser did the minute of frantic but then no fault code, just the normal flashes. I charged up the battery overnight, and then came across the advice on this forum --> simply cut out the yellow relay underneath the ashtray.

Here's what I did: I clipped out the yellow relay and then connected red/white to red/white, but also the white to the white. Should I have done the white/white too?? Anyway, the upshot was that the van starts (it makes the noise), but I can't press the accelerator to keep it going. Fuel is not being pumped into the system.

Suddenly also a PATS code emerged - 13. I was surprised, thought the whole immobiliser would have shut up by now.
Plus there also was a black cable in the yellow relay - I kept that in the connector and screwed it back to the body of the car thinking it was the earth.

Tried starting again, but same thing - it 'ticks over' but no real start.

Do I now need to put a live 12v wire to the back of the fuel stop solenoid, as per the suggestion of Joe Ninety Cardoc? Mine is a turbo engine, and his was the banana.

Or am I to buy a new relay and connect the two white wires again as my best shot?

I am going to check over the fuses too, any tips on which ones in particular would be helpful. Also I am not able to locate the fuel solenoid relay - is there one or is the wire to the solenoid what this trick should be about?

Any tips greatly appreciated. And thank yous already for the great help thus far. You cannot imagine how relieved I felt already to hear the engine come back to life. I am sure I only need to do one very small thing to get back my beloved LDV!

Witchy LDV, January 2016

I gave a ldv maxus when you try starting it the engine turns but will not start.i don't no if there is a problem with the chipped key or immobiliser

David, July 2015

hi could you tell me where can i find this post by cardoc ? thanks phil

phil725, June 2015

Had a similar immobiliser problem to many preceding this post....starter would turn over but engine would not fire up...decided it must be either the immobiliser or the fuel cut off solenoid. After starting to search the web I came across the post by Cardoc in 2012 and decided to have a go...brilliantly written explanation by cardoc...followed his instructions and at the end of the day.... vroom!!!!...engine once again fires up and no more problematic immobiler!
5 star post cardoc, thanks for the help

chris, February 2015

This just happened to me!!!
Problem - water in ECU thingy!
Solution - repair seals on windscreen. Remove ECU - take it home, dismantle and let it dry for two days, reconnect and jobs a goodun!

SighOfRelief, October 2014

I have very recently purchased a 2000 LDV Convoy Minibus with the intention to convert it to a campervan. I had driven 200 miles over a two day period, starting and stopping, and now it won't start. Apparently it has something to do with the immobiliser. I have phoned a few auto electricians and they say that they can't do anything about repairing it as they don't have the computer and programme to repair the coding problem.
I have tried to side step the immobilizer by doing what GAZBEAM suggested, by bringing bridging the Red/White wiring on the Yellow relay. I have done this, which has helped the engine to turn over when starting it, which it wasn't doing before, but that is all it does...turn over. It doesn't actually fire up.

Any suggestions please.

ADIE, July 2014

I've had LDV PIlots for years. The early ones including the Sherpas were OK but the later ones it seems were thrown together. The electrics are dire. Firstly when turning the key she wouldn't turn over, then the pre-heat relay / wiring died, then the hooter. Instead of getting lost in the loom or facing expensive repair bills I chose to simply pop a heavy push button and fuse for the pre-heats in the dash, another for the starter and another for the hooter. Problems solved. My latest Pilot, an 05 is going down the same road. I can't wait to get my snippers out, the immobiliser will be first. No-ones going to pinch an LDV after all....

H, February 2014

hi my ldv cuts out soon as it gets warm then starts and stops striaght away soon as its gone cold about half an hour it starts and runs fine till again its gets warm does anyone know what could be wrong with it

shane, September 2013

i have just changed the lift pump and bleed system .and it still will not run .its a 2002 durotek engine 2.4 turbo could u please help

shaun, March 2013

Does the door mechanism in a 52 plate ldv convoy fit a 54 plate ? As one of the mechanisms is on a wire and the other on rods.
Regards
Paul

Paul . H, January 2013

I have just disabled the immobiliser in my 2000 LDV Convoy after it failed to disarm with the transponder key. It has the 2.5 non turbo diesel engine known as the banana engine made by ford. Don't know if this works on other models but Here is how I did it...

1 Remove the anti-tamper plate on the back of the fuel pump. This is hard to do. You have to remove the 13mm bolts holding the plate to the fuel pump and the bolts holding the plate to the engine block, as well as the mount. Then there are 5 bolts holding the plate by the injector pipes. On mine one of these was hex and the others were torx (star) heads. You can leave the 13mm in the centre of the injector pipe assay as this is part of the fuel pump and not the anti-tamper plate. You will have to disconnect the injector pipes to remove the released plate. I found by disconnecting the first 2 pipes i was able to squeeze the plate out behind the other 2. You will also need to remove the solenoid control module on the back of the pump to expose the fuel stop solenoid.

2 Well done if you got this far nearly trucking again now. Connect the fuel stop solenoid to a switched 12v live. I put my switch in on the dash.

3 Pull out the ashtray. Under that is the immobiliser control unit. Next to the unit is the starter inhibitor relay. This may be yellow, green etc. but is always beside the immobiliser control unit not the two relays beside the fuse box. You should pull out the relay and jump the double red and white wires to the double red and white wires via a fuse. I used a fifteen amp which does the trick nicely.

4 Turn on your new fuel stop switch and then start the van on the key as usual.

Note: This disables the immobiliser making it redundant. It will flash all manner of patterns after this fix but is out of circuit. The van will now only turn off on the new switch and although the electrics are disabled when the ignition is switched off the engine will run, even without the keys once started, until the switch for the solenoid is turned off.

Joe Ninety Cardoc., December 2012

ive got a 51 reg l.d v curtainsider started one day fine went to start nxt day nothing starter will not turn over on key apart from putting in a feild and burn the thing anyone got a better idea

mark, November 2012

Hi,
Having same problem too,does anyone knows if you can solve problem by putting new barrel & new keys with corresponding coded chip at electronic fuel pump. Went to a Timpson locksmith last week and the guy told me he could program just one chip from key.
Cheers everybody

4kitt, October 2012

than you Gazbeam. I found a corroded male spade at yellow relay-filed it clean & wd 40 & everything is a-ok thanx again,jj nixon

jj nixon, September 2012

Had the same Problem on our 2003 Convoy diesel after taking the battery out and replacing it. Immobiliser light flashing continuously, engine wouldn't turn over etc.
Resolved it by taking out yellow relay below ahtray, turning ignition on, waiting until immobiliser light goes out, then with ignition still on, replace yellow relay. Engine starts and runs normally!
But why would you design a vehicle to need so much faffing about just because you changed the battery!

DeVere Windows, August 2012

ive just had a problem with the transponder on my ldv convoy 02 plate !! its takes about 2 mins to defeat the transponder very bad design by ldv no wonder they went bust !!! anyway here we go youll be discusted how easy it is i was shocked !!
step one pull the rubber center tray to reveal the fuse box .
step two pull up the ash tray
step 3 look in the hole where the ash tray was and you will see a yellow relay
step 4 remove relay
step 5 look on the wire block that you pulled the relay from and bridge the small red and white wires with the other red and white wire !!! done !!

GAZBEAM, June 2012

Does anyone no what year ecu you need to get rid of the immobiliser mine is y reg will a 1998 do the job

Shane, January 2012

well i had the same prob aa man said broken wire from ignition. took it to auto electrician he said if u put the key in and it does not start take the key out, if the chip on it is on the top of the key the next time you put the key in put the key in a different way so that the chip is at the bottom and it works this will help if you are stuck, but i guess a proper repair is the best course of action hope this helps someone who may be stranded

charlie, March 2011

had the same fault on convoy today after i checked everything, found control unit faulty fitted 2nd hand control unit programed key and versionised pump starts&runs ok

ste, August 2010

hi everyone,
if you have any immobiliser fault on your convoy what ever regs it is.
1. pull down steering cover and check the immobiliser transponder screw if loose, this is fitted on ignition key barrel. secured screw on right possition.

2.if the immobilser led keep flashing when turning on the ignition.
turn off ignition and leave it for 1/2 hour and recheck,if still flashing your vehicle needs attention of qualified technician to diagnose w/ ldv laser to check or reprogramme your keys.

art, July 2010

hi i have the same problem with my 54 reg convoy the way i get past mine take the glove box area of from the passenger side you will see the computer with a black box attached to it if you pull the black box towards you it will start common fault with convoys
i have now put some card behind it and pushed it forward

peds, July 2010

Does anyone know what software is used when reprogramming (the computer box) an LDV Convoy 1999 model ford Engine, and the cable used.

V Zivave, April 2010

hi i have the same problem now one minute the van was workin ok then all of a suddden wouldnt turn over, now it has a red light flashin on the immobiliser , could any one please point me in the right direction to go see or nearest to stockton on tees thanks peter.

peter charlton, April 2010

I had a problem with the immob on my Dec 1999 2.5 Ford engine. It was caused by the wire going into the fuel cut-off solenoid module at the back of the injection pump breaking at the encapsulated electronic module. The immob cannot then communicate with the electronics at the cut off solenoid and so inhibits the starter. The immobiliser l.e.d flashes a code to tell you what is wrong. It gives a series of long and short flashes. You can find these in the manual or on the internet. In my case I couldn't repair the wire because it had broken too close to the module so had to buy a new one at £150. Perfect after that.

Jock, March 2010

had the same problem with my 54 plate,attached to the ignition barrel is the transponder reciever if this gets damp the immobiliser will not respond,use a hair dryer on low setting,keep trying the ignition until the red light no longer flashes rapidly and the van should start,it cured my problem

Nazle, December 2009

I think i may have a similar problem, it has occurred since not having a battery on my van for a day. Now the starter solenoid makes a noise but nothing else even tries. It will bump start tho, so does anyone know if this is an immobiliser problem or something else?

Thanks

will, October 2009

Looks like a common problem. I've got a W plate Pilot that immobiliser is intermittently working. The unit was fitted by Hamilton and Palmer, I got a number off the website and spoke to an engineer who wasn't much help but he suggested the red/white wire option as Paul,s input in June 2009.

Eric., October 2009

Hello. Great blog. I think it will be best if you're going to attach some picture in your blogs. Just an opinion. Thanks and have a nice day. :)

ldvvans.info

LDV Vans, August 2009

had immobiliser problem on my 51 plate convoy engine would turn over but would not start niether ldv or ford main dealers had a clue found a guy who knew what to do replaced ecu with second hand from older model ,now starts every time only difference the immobiliser is now redundent and will never be a problem again.

chris, June 2009

Hi Guys,
Most of them will not start because the feed to the starter Relay will have an inhibitor, (immobiliser) between this feed.

So for a temporary fix you may like to try this.

I have checked the circuits from pilot 96 - 97 on and convoy 96 - 97 on up to convoy 2.5 DI & Turbo and LDV seem to have stayed with a common connection of WR (White and Red) pin 85 to supply power to pull the starter relay on from the ignition switch.

Be careful though as these may have changed check to be sure!

This powers up the starter motor solenoid.

The inhibitor could be on the engine harness side Pins 12 and 2 or even on the main harness side of the wiring loom on WR oppposite pins 12 & 2.

To cut out this inhibitor which will have a WR going in and a WR coming out it should be disconnected from pins 12 and 2 (this may have changed on later versions) and a jump lead from the WR on the engine harness side (pin 12 and to pin 2 on the engine harness that connects to the main harness.

Pins 12 and 2 are on the same plug. This should then mean that power from the ignition WR will go to pin 12 and pin 2 of the enginess harness and feed the WR on the main harness which leads to pin 85 on the starter relay.

Even if the inhibitor is controlled by a key fob it still has to inhibit the starter relay.

So even if the colour has changed from WR (White & Red) all you have to do is find the correct colour which will energise the starter relay

If in any doubt consult a qualified auto electrician and point them in the right direction.

Hope this helps.

Remember that the pin numbers and colours may have changed but the process is the same.

i.e. supply power to the starter relay from the ignition which supplies power to the starter solenoid.

Paul, June 2009

hello ive got the same problem with mine. does anyone know where abouts the brake in the wire occurs?

sid, June 2009

My 2001 Convoy often won't start when you turn the key, the immobiliser light starts flashing. The only way I can get it to go is to turn the key off, open the bonnet, slam it down again HARD, get back in and it usually starts. Got it back from Adams Morey, Newport I.W. today, they've tried to find the fault but can't, just charged me £35 + VAT to try and diagnose it. Said they would have to remove the engine to get to the wiring which would be a "huge" cost. So I'm stuck with a van that is a big embarrassment to me.

Pat Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight, February 2009

Had the same problem mine.It would bump start, no power going to the starter motor took it to the ldv place in kirkby.There was a break in one wire ,they repaired within 2 hours cost me £70.

John Mconald, January 2009

Just had the RAC man looking at my non-functioning LDV Pilot 52reg: immobiliser won't turn off (and light flashing rapidly for 15 seconds, whenever even door is opened, before going back to normal flash every 2). He said that if I get the wiring diagram (from LDV, maybe...), any auto electrician will cut the right wire (wrong one blows the ECU (Electronics Control Unit or something similar) and away you drive. Then buy a red flashing light from Halfords for a fiver.

So, on to phoning LDV...

PS: www.ldv-sherpa.co.uk is a top site for LDV stuff.

pond, February 2008

If anybody out there ever reads this, having had the same problem, you might like to know the fault was finally found to be a broken feed wire to the immobiliser in the loom behind/under the dash. The dealer effecting the repair discovered this after persisting in attempting to find a fault in the PCM (dont ask me, a black box under the bonnet apparently) that didnt exist. The bill they then gave me, for effectively taking six weeks to find then solder a broken wire, was for £1,500....

John Harper, January 2008

If anyone out there can add anything to this I would be grateful. My van is still at the dealers, they still cant get it to start, SIX WEEKS after taking it in for repair...

John H., January 2008

Ta for the reply Jason. No, its the Transit engine and box, so I believe the immob is Ford too. As the keys are Transit/Ford and they have transponder built in I reckon it is. Any more ideas or comments out there? The van has now been with the LDV dealer for two weeks. If they cant sort it, who can?

John H., December 2007

Is it fitted with the peougot 1.9 engine ?
jasonsmallman@yahoo.com

jason, December 2007

Is it fitted with the peougot 1.9 engine ?
jasonsmallman@yahoo.co.uk

jason, December 2007