2001 echo engine cranking but not starting!

[srdatsun]

OK.

I just got my 2001 echo sportivo home from the auctions today. First of all it came with no central locking button of any sort just 1 key that looks like half a key well seems like its missing the top bit which i assume is the lock and unlock unit is supposed to be.

Anyway so i enter the car manually by unlocking the door with the key and try to start the car... the engine is cranking but not starting like it has no fuel (fuel gauge is full).

What i am thinking is because i don't have the central locking button, it hasn't unlocked the immobilizer?? and the immobilizer is cutting off the fuel pump? should the engine be cranking though? please confirm all this or test it . But really in any car when i turn the key to "REDS" i can here the fuel pump prime the engine before you crank it.. i didn't hear anything in this case.

If this is the case can i just buy a remote from ebay and program it to the ecu? unlock the car and use my existing key?

[Swords]

My 2 cents.
Look where your hood release mechanism is, do you see a tiny toggle switch? Look anywhere in the area above the pedals too. This is the most obvious place for an kind of "valet switch" if you had some kind of security system on there. The other dead give away would be a flash light behind the rear view mirror or on the dash console. If you find that toggle switch, flick it the other way and attempt to restart the car.

Now lets assume there's no anti-theft/immobilzer. Disconnect the fuel line on top of the manifold and put the key to the on position. If fuel is flowing out, we can rule out that you have no fuel. (I know your tank says its full, but fuel sending units can fail in mysterious ways. If you have no fuel coming out put some in the tank and check again. if you have fuel coming out now, reconnect the line and try starting it.

So you have no immobilzer and you have fuel. remove one of the coil packs, insert a spark plug and ground the tip again the engine block. Have an assistant crank the engine and see if you have spark. If you do let me know. If you do it should start, however there are a dozen reason why it wouldn't. Try what I've suggested and let me know.

I've never seen the sportivo version of the echo's but as far as i know, central locks were not "keyless entry" keys (with key fobs). Anyone is welcome to correct me on that one. I think you just have a partially broken key grip. I have the same prob with mine. Also central locks and immobilizer are not related on any system I've ever wired, and I've done many. So because you had to manually unlock your doors, I dont see that causing a starting problem. And if the locks were related to some kinda of immobilizer, then the second you manually unlock the door in would trigger the immobilzer to turn off and the car to start without any problem. Personally I think you have a dead OCV (camshaft oil control valve) (it controlls the spark timing) or just a bad crank sensor.

Sorry for the winded reply, just trying to be thorough

[Swords]

Originally Posted by srdatsun

OK.
If this is the case can i just buy a remote from ebay and program it to the ecu? unlock the car and use my existing key?

Yes If you can get the correct model number off the brain "black box" located under the dash above the pedals. The factory ecu is not related to alarm system. You have to flash the hood pin switch in order to reprogram a key fob.

[srdatsun]

Hey thanks for the reply! i tested the fuel line quickly, i don't have much time on my hands atm. No fuel pumping when its on reds but when it starts cranking it pumps.

Um i notice when trying to start the car the security light in the middle of the dash is still blinking, don't know it thats supposed to be. ive had problems before with immobilisers but in a mazda, if i didn't unlock it by the button and just manually unlock the doors the car won't start at all, no cranking or anything as if the battery is dead unless i unlock it by the button then it will start.

im in Australia so maybe our cars are different? i can't find the switch and there is no black box above my pedals. there is the ecu on the passenger side though. does the 2001 use a transponder?

[Swords]

No problem. This is a really tricky problem, I like it . Im digging around as I type this out. The sportivo is a beautiful car compared to the canadian version and much nicer options on top of that. I've found 1 other for sale IN Australia with all options. And sadly it would appear your correct. There is a central locking key fob and they do have an optional immobilizer, as far as I understand. So my next guess would be to unfortunately call the dealer with your vin number handy and order a new key fob. I seriously hope you've found another solution or perhaps someone else may know of one. Personally I would rip out the factory immobilzer. However since I've never encountered one before on an echo I would need the car in front of me and several pints to sort it out.

I have one rather stupid suggestion and the succes rate is probably low but humor me for a moment. Disconnect the battery and remove the fuse from the factory security system, it will be either under the steering column or in the engine compartment (check all fuses for blown ones while your at it). Reconnect the battery and attempt to start it.

My theory is without the security system being powered the ecu wont know it has one (ecu's are standard, its the options and sensors that tell it whats installed on the car).

One final thing bothers me in all of this. If i wanted to make a good immobilizer, i would design one that killed the fuel pump to prevent starting. that way the engine couldnt flood from excessive cranking if someone forgot to turn it off.

Please let me know how it works out for you.

[srdatsun]

Arrgghhh walked into toyota today and they said i need to replace the ecu ($1500) and key ($400) thats not installed! it won't be hard to plug in anyways but still. Because the key uses a transponder that communicates to the ecu so yeah.. On the other hand will an aftermarket ecu work? ive found an Apexi power fc for the NCP13 and 1NZ-FE motor. Its $300.

Yeah i don't know to much about these cars, its for the misses. i stick to my old school datsuns with no transponders! I know the sportivo has power everything and its a 1.5Ltr 80KW motor.

Also the USA sells transponder bypass kits.. has anyone experience with these or does it work? looks like a plug in and thats it.

this car is really doing my head in! should just tell her to catch a bus

[Swords]

Most of the aftermarket ecu's are piggy back units. So you have to keep using the stock one. There are some out there that are the exception to the rule but there quite pricey. Any chance you could go to the wrecker and get another ecu from a wreck that has no immobilser? Or just buy one off eBay? I'd sell you one from the local yard here, since they sell for pennies, but I'm not sure there compatible. Could you get me the code off the ecu? I'll see if it's compatible. In the mean time I'd keep the misses happy, the last thing you want is her in the Datsun and you takin the boss lol

[srdatsun]

well theres also my hilux but its lifted with no side steps and she doesn't want to climb everytime getting into ther car.. she ain't driving the Datsun haha.

The thing is i can't find anyone wrecking a sportive echo, the big difference is non sportive is a 1.3ltr and mine is a 1.5ltr

I'll get the numbers tomorrow morning.. are echo just vitz in japan?

[Swords]

Your correct the vitz is the sporty jap equivalent. I also here rumors it was available as a boosted variant in Europe. I ve found an ecu on eBay for the vitz but it's been tuned so even if it is comparable you'll be adding a power adder to make it work. Although a boosted echo might give your datsun a run for the money

[Swords]

http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forum...hp/t22004.html. Check out that link, there was some mention towered the bottom about by passing the factory immobilized or something around those lines. My minds a little dragged today. Anyway check out the post one of the peole there seems to know this sporting ecu a thousand times better then I.

[srdatsun]

Hahaha Datsun is running a 2ltr Sr20 from a S13..come on im not going to get the misses a car that can beat my own! anyways yeah i can find a whole lot of ecus in the US, part numbers are different but yeah of coarse because mine has a transponder and immobiliser as in the us 2001 didn't come factory right?

Is it better if i get the vitz ecus? also my dash is fully digital and i believe some vitz japan uses a cluster guage type dash.. will it still be ok if i plugged the vitz on in and my dash still reads fine? also japan is KM/H not MILES. while seraching the japan auctions.. i founld a trd turbo kit too... maybe ill get the car started first haha.

[Swords]

I'm surprised you didn't swap in the srdet engine a boosted datsun would be fun haha. I made the mistake of giving the girlfriend my Volvo keys last. I'm running A t3t4 turbo in it. Now she wants a turbo for her cavalier for Christmas. Something else is on my mind with the ecu on your car. Your car is dohc, I believe the north Americans are sohc. I'm wondering if that would affect the vvti. I think if you swap the vitz ecu in you ll find your dash is going to end up in km/h. I assume your signs are posted in miles, it might be better to go with an American ecu, however if the vitz use the same engine as yours then it would be better to use there and learn to do the conversion rate haha. I have one other useful idea, I'm not sure how your DMV (or where ever your register your car for ownership and plates) works. But here, you can go to the DMV and find the previous vehicle owners name. I would go get that name and a phone book and call up the previous owner. I'm willing to bet they have at least one of the 2 factories keys you need right now. This might solve your problem for free?

The Trd turbo kit also works in your favor, a retuned ecu will probably not have the immobilizer on it and it will have the perfect tune installed to beat any v8 on the road lol

[srdatsun]

Haha women god dammit! I cant have a 2ltr turbo in a datsun here, power to wieght ratio is not accepted haha so it cant be engineered and road registered but i can have a 1.8 ca18det. so i went with the NA with quad throttle bodies and rev happy

Im in australia! Everything is km/h here.. dont think the vitz run immobilizer, i just hope my digital dash works ok witb the jap ecu. If so it has a piwer fc piggy backed to it so i can get that turbo kit for $400. ill bid on it tonight

i dont think you can look up previous owners in aus, they are abit skeptical releasing private info etc etc