Martin Ceballos

Hello to everyone, I am new in this forum and I need some help with my family car.
This is what currently happens:
I insert the key, it can rotate but the engine doesn't crank.
The key can open and close door locks, in position number 2, the dashboard shows lights.
I installed a new battery, thinking that was the issue, but no luck.
I checked the starter with a cable directly to that and the starter turns the engine.
So the starter works fine.
Another issue is that my scanner says "no link" when connected to ECU port.
Other thing is that with key in position number 2, I cannot shift out of park, (it says to depress brake, and brake was depressed).
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance

DansGL

Martin,
I had a similar issue with all sorts of weird electrical gremlins. The "No link" to the ECU is a big clue here.
Move the driver seat back and take up the carpet and the panel underneath. There is a small grey box. That is the central gateway or CGW. Check for corrossion damage. Water can access that compartment from several sources and wick down the wire.
Try some serious contact cleaner if it is corroded. I ended up having to replace mine and then get to a dealer to program it.

Hope this helps
Dan

Martin Ceballos

Hello Dan,

I will try that tomorrow, I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks for the tip!

DansGL

Martin,

How did you make out?

Martin Ceballos

Hello Dan,

I removed the carpet and everything looked good with the CGW, no rust, all cables look good.
Still no communication with ECU, I checked the red wire going to the ECU port connector and reads 12V.
I have no idea what is the reason of no crank and no ECU communication.
Could it be a bad ECU? Programming issue?
Bad key?
Next step is sending the car to the shop recommended by a friend, hopefully not big $$.
I will keep you updated.

Thanks

Martin

DansGL

Next step is Front SAM under front passenger seat. Check pre-fuses in battery compartment while there. Then check per-fuses in engine compartment.
Probably the first thing you should check would be the fuses in the engine compartment fuse box.

Martin Ceballos

All fuses were checked, all good, fuses in the engine area, fuses in the back, fuses next to battery and fuses on the passenger dashboard side.
What I couldn't check were the relays (i replaced only the starter relay).
Without information from scanner, no clue what's going on.....

DansGL

Oh you replaced the starter relay? Hate to ask, but was it the correct relay? or the correct location?
Without scanner it is hard to diagnose, but something is not allowing a ground or power to get to ECU. Did you check the Pre-fuses at the boost point?
I would pop the front SAM out and open it up looking for any broken joints or burned components. It wont take more than 15 mins to do that.

Martin Ceballos

It supposed to be a good relay, but I am not 100% sure.
I don't know where are the pre-fuses at the boost point, could you tell me?
Where is the front SAM?

DansGL

Pre fuses are directly underneath the boost point. Just un-clip the red plastic box and open it up.
The Front SAM is under the front passenger seat floor. just take up the carpet and the panel (Exactly like the drivers side)
I can't quite remember, but I think the air pump relay is the same as the engine relay. Anyway just look for the same part numbers. If any are the same, just swap them to rule out the relay.

Martin Ceballos

Yes, you are right, starter relay has same part number as other relays in the fuse/relay box in the engine compartment, I tried with the swap, but nothing happened.
I'll see if I can check those pre-fuses today, then check the SAM.

auto385

The fact you can't communicate with the ecu through the OBD2 connector means that the CanBus is down. This can be due to any module in the system that is shorting out. There is a way to test for that problem. Just google it and a good voltmeter can be used to check this out.

Martin Ceballos

Hello Auto385,

I am currently looking for information in how to check the Canbus, I'll let you guys know how it goes.
Thanks for the tip.

Martin Ceballos

Hello everyone,

I sent the ECU to a specialist in Illinois and they told me that the processor is bad and It can't be repaired.
They are going to ship it back to me.
Questions:
Can I buy a used ECU?
New one?
What a about programming?

Ideas?

Thanks