Mystery faults

[Jack1989]

Hello, I’m new on here.
I have a 2014 Ford Transit (K8) which recently stopped working.

The problem started with a flat battery a few weeks ago and after charging the batteries up I was hit with an error message reading ‘immobiliser malfunction, service required’ and engine service now’.

After reading through the forums I replaced the key fob battery and immobiliser transceiver on the ignition which fixed that problem.

The van started and I drove it nearer the house, switched it off and loaded it up with stuff to take to the tip.
When I went to start it up again I had new error messages and it wouldn’t turn over.

The current error messages are ‘Hill start assist not available’ with the traction control light illuminated and another message ‘engine service now’. The van still won’t start and the cheap eBay OBD reader says ‘error in communication with vehicle ECU’ so I can’t use it to diagnose the fault.

Any advice would be massively appreciated because I have no mechanical or electrical experience when it comes to vehicles. Ive checked all fuses which are fine and I’ve been advised by a friend of a friend that it could be abs sensor or a clutch switch but before I start stabbing around in the dark swapping out lots of parts I was hoping someone might have had a similar experience and have a good idea what is causing it.

Thanks in advance

[knobby1]

A good place to start is the earths on the left inner wing....well known for corroding and poorly earths.

Ideally, Forscan is the diagnostic reader of choice....free to download onto a windows lappy and the cable is cheap enough.

Do your interior lights work..??

Lord Knobrot

[Jack1989]

Hi, thanks for your reply.
Yes, Interior lights are working fine.
I read about the earths so took the headlight out to get at them and clean them up. Surprisingly they are in good condition as is the rest of the van for its age and mileage.

I forgot to mention in my original post that it’s a 2014 350 MK8 2.2L with 213,000 miles.

[Brisbanebret]

Hey ya. Did you work out what the fault was?

[Jack1989]

I did and unfortunately it was the ECU which needed replacing.