2000 C70 Starting issues

gtrplayr1976 · Post by **gtrplayr1976** » 25 Mar 2015, 07:49

Hi Folks,
I know I have seen some info on here ,but want to explain my situation with this C70.
A few months ago I had the timing belt ,and oil trap (PCV) changed. It ran for about two weeks then wouldn't start anymore. It will crank ,but doesn't start. It has fuel ,and fire it seems. Until the other day I had let it set . I took the battery out to recharge it. When I put it back in ,same thing.
I had read somewhere about a starter immobilizer ,and how you could reset them by locking ,and unlocking the doors with the remote 5 times. I don't have a remote ,so I tried it with the switch inside the car. IT started after that one time. I had it running even though it was rough (I think there's another problem with that) ,but when I cut it off it wouldn't restart.
Am I on the right track with this ,or was that just coincidence ?

Thanks for any help.

Cees Klumper · Post by **Cees Klumper** » 25 Mar 2015, 12:57

I recall reading something about a common problem being the 'antenna ring' (presumably some sensor around the ignition keyhole that is supposed to send the proper 'all clear' signal to the ECU when you insert the key), that these antennas go bad. Not sure now, but you may want to look into that. Others with more knowledge please chime in.

gtrplayr1976 · Post by **gtrplayr1976** » 26 Mar 2015, 05:31

Cees Klumper wrote:I recall reading something about a common problem being the 'antenna ring' (presumably some sensor around the ignition keyhole that is supposed to send the proper 'all clear' signal to the ECU when you insert the key), that these antennas go bad. Not sure now, but you may want to look into that. Others with more knowledge please chime in.

Thank you. That is the first thing I am going to check. If it has to be replaced can I do it ,or does a dealer have to do it ?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 26 Mar 2015, 15:08

The antenna ring issue will present with the car starting normally and then dieing a second or so later. It will also post a P code, P1081 I think, but the CEL will not necessarily come on.

Your problem sounds more like a fuel pump or fuel pump relay problem. The relay gets intermittent as it dies. Without VIDA and DICE there isn't a heck of a lot of diagnostic work you can do on the immobilizer if that is the issue.

...Lee

gtrplayr1976 · Post by **gtrplayr1976** » 31 Mar 2015, 09:16

Ozark Lee wrote:The antenna ring issue will present with the car starting normally and then dieing a second or so later. It will also post a P code, P1081 I think, but the CEL will not necessarily come on.

Your problem sounds more like a fuel pump or fuel pump relay problem. The relay gets intermittent as it dies. Without VIDA and DICE there isn't a heck of a lot of diagnostic work you can do on the immobilizer if that is the issue.

...Lee

Seems to be plenty of fuel at the rail when I have someone start it. Is there any way to bypass the entire anti-theft stuff ?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 31 Mar 2015, 16:09

gtrplayr1976 wrote:Seems to be plenty of fuel at the rail when I have someone start it. Is there any way to bypass the entire anti-theft stuff ?

Unfortunately there isn't a bypass. The key chip identifier is read by the antenna by the immobilizer module and the ECU asks the immobilizer a question and receives an answer which is based on the key identifier code. If the answer is one of the correct answers the car will continue to run but if the answer isn't correct then the car will die. All of the question and answer data is on a digital CAN bus.

Someday I'm sure someone clever will figure out a way to get the ECU to stop asking the question by re-writing the firmware code but as of now I don't know of any such option. I would buy that programming change in a heartbeat.

...Lee

Post by **precopster** » 01 Apr 2015, 06:26

I've heard of corrosion on the connector of the antenna ring. If you remove the plastic cover behind the steering wheel it should all be there. Start by cleaning that antenna ring connector.

gtrplayr1976 · Post by **gtrplayr1976** » 13 Apr 2015, 06:17

This is what I did Saturday. I had the steering column apart to access the antenna ring ,and wiring. Didn't do much with it except unplug it ,and plug it back in. I also bolted the coils down (the repair shop that tried to fix it lost all the bolts) To my surprise it has started every time since. I have no idea what I did to make it work other than the above. It misses a little at low idle ,but it's just like one miss every few seconds. When I rev it up there is no miss.

Wsteyskal · Post by **Wsteyskal** » 22 Apr 2015, 02:03

I have been experiencing nearly identical starting issues. I can usually start first thing in the morning, but after 3 or 4 starts it will crank, catch, start and after 2 seconds of running it will die. After that sequence all the car will do is crank but never catch and start. I can return a few hours later and start the car again, but sometimes it takes a couple days. I believe that heat here in Arizona plays a role somehow, but don't quote me on that.
I have already replaced the throttle module and updated the software, new relay, replaced fuel pump and fuel filter and spark plugs, cleaned the mass airflow sensor, and got a new catalytic converter. My last effort will be the antenna ring that I have read so much about on here. I have already cleaned the existing ring with no success. I have ordered a brand new ring and I receive it tomorrow.
Please let me know if I am on the right track because I can't spend any more money on this thing.
BTW replacing the throttle module with a Xmodex part works brilliantly for a rough and surging idle, which was a problem with my car that I mistook for the non-start issue. It needed it anyways, however it wasn't cheap.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 22 Apr 2015, 06:20

Based on your description of the problem I think you are on the right track. A bad antenna ring will set a P code but it won't necessarily light the CEL. If you have a scanner check for codes.

...Lee