1997 406 2.0 petrol turbo: immobiliser key pad + interior fuse box + oil dipstick + engine heater

[irrselvam]

Hi all,

I have recently purchased a 1997 406 2.0 petrol estate (engine code XU10J2TE) and I have a few questions:

1. The car came with two keys - one fob (door and boot unlock buttons) and a "plain" key. The fob buttons work to unlock the central locking and both keys do the same. But if I want to start the car I need to press and hold the door unlock button whilst turning the fob key in the ignition. This means the plain key isn't very useful, however I've found a flip out keypad under the steering wheel (see picture). My hunch is that I could use the plain key to unlock the central locking, punch in a code (which I don't know) to disable the immobiliser then start the car with the plain key. Does that sound logical? If so, is the code from the manufacturer (i.e. I could possibly contact a Peugeot dealer to get it) or set by the user (then I 'd need to find out if it can be reprogrammed). I've read the default code is 1111 and it is recommended to change it, there seems to be many ways to do this (e.g. ignition on, enter code, press C, new code, press C).

2. Both the heated front seats don't work but the lights come on. The first thing to try is replacing the fuse. I think I need to replace the 15A fuse in position 28 on the interior fuse box (behind the key pad in the picture) - is that correct?

3. Does anyone have the part number or dimensions for the oil dipstick? The yellow plastic handle has completely disintegrated. I think the part number might be 117422 or 1174E2. A small piece of the plastic handle fell down the funnel - I hope an oil + filter change should flush it out?

4. Has anyone fitted an engine heater to make starting the car easier in winter? I was looking at the DEFA 411548 that seems to heat the coolant.

Thank you

[wheeler]

Are any of the lights on the keypad on?
It sounds like someone may have bypassed the keypad as you should have to input the code every time you start the car.
The code is set by the user so the dealer cant help you, The default codes were either 1111 or 0001 but then can be changed by the user to any 4 digit code.
I would probably leave it alone as you coule end up re enabling it & you dont have the code.

[irrselvam]

I decided to risk it and try the plain key + the default code (1111) and the car started no problem.

[wheeler]

What were the red & green LED's doing before & after you entered the code?
Have you tried starting the engine with just the plain key without inputting the code?

[Oldpug]

Its a long time since I had anything to do with these key pads, we had one many years ago they were a pain in the butt.
If my memory is correct?? if you remove the key pad multi plug WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, you can then forget about the key pad and codes for good.

[irrselvam]

What were the red & green LED's doing before & after you entered the code?
Have you tried starting the engine with just the plain key without inputting the code?

I can't start the car with just the plain key. After unlocking the car (either with the plain key or fob), the red LED would be flashing and would go solid once the ignition was one. After putting in the code the LED did go green and car started fine.

However, this time I put in the code and the red LED stayed solid accompanied by a constant beeping. Now both the fob and plain key won't start the car and I'm worried about running down the battery as I can hear it beeping through the closed door.

Any ideas? Bit of a pain as I ideally need two keys.

[wheeler]

This is the exact reason why i recommended leaving it alone.

If the wrong code is entered too many times the system locks out for between 10-15 minutes cant remember exactly (its easily been 17+ since i have dealt with any keypad problems). You need to leave the ignition on for it to unlock, try this & see if it goes back to normal. If that doesent work disconnect The battery for 5 minutes & re try leaving ignition on for 15 minutes. If it does i would say get it running & unplug the keypad, as said above this way the ECU should stay in an unlocked state.
If you cant get it disabled again you would need to get someone to remove the immobiliser electronically from the ECU or get a 2nd hand ECU with a known code.

[wheeler]

One other thing is the keypad systems them selves are fairly reliable however models like yours that have a keypad that flips out on a hinge were known to break wires behind where they flex, might be worth a check. Citroen used to sell a repair harness as the Synergie/Evasion had the flip out type & they would often break.

[irrselvam]

Flying too close to the sun as usual!

Anyway, I left it alone for 30 mins with the ignition off (as per the translated handbook) and now it starts normally when pressing the door unlock button on the key fob as I turn the key in the ignition. I assumed the code was 1111 as it worked last time but perhaps the sequence of starting the car with the key fob and then the plain key masked the fact I had indeed got the wrong code. Ideally, I'd get the code working to maintain the security but I'd rather have two working keys and eliminate the chance of the keypad breaking.

Are there any downsides to disconnecting the keypad? I should then be able to use either key to start it without having to do the annoying pressing of the door unlock button as I turn the key?

[xantia_v6]

You may find that disconnecting the keypad will prevent the engine from starting. I believe that is the case on the Xantia TCT of the same age.

[Oldpug]

You may find that disconnecting the keypad will prevent the engine from starting. I believe that is the case on the Xantia TCT of the same age.

As I said in my post I`m pretty sure this is what I did to the 406 we had years ago. After keying in the correct pin number and with THE ENGINE RUNNING, disconnect the key pad multiplug. Then just use the car as normal. This is assuming the key is programmed correctly and the wires into the multiplug are not shorting together. I have a feeling though you may get a problem back if the battery is disconnected.
The other alternative is to take the ECU to a specialist who can alter it to ignore the key pad. I did that on a 306 we bought as a non runner and no key pad number.

[Armidillo]

That worked on my 2000 Xm Exclusive - type in code, start engine, diconnect key pad - no more code conniptions! This does of course require the ability to pop the keypad out of it's housing - easy enough on the XM, but I never tried it on my Series I Xantia Turbo CT.

[xantia_v6]

I believe that it works for all engines except for the TCT (and perhaps the PRV V6).

[Armidillo]

I have 2 x Pug 605s with the PRV V6 - the keypad is disabled in both, but they both came that way, & I've never popped out the keypad to see whether it's connected or not, so I suppose they could both have had the ECU reprogrammed...

[xantia_v6]

I think the PRV code (at least on early versions) is disabled by setting the code to 0000 or something similar.