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max123

Hi,I have a Motorhome based on a 2004 Ducato 2.8JTD and have thought about removing the starter relay when the vehicle is not in use to give it a little bit of extra protection. My question is where about is this relay located.
Cheers
Max123

trig

Hello Max123, if by extra protection you mean extra security from theft, your Ducato has a factory fitted immobiliser which needs the correct ignition key to disarm it. When you start the engine an amber padlock symbol will show on the instrument panel and then go out, this shows the key has been recognised. It's in the Ducato owners handbook,page 40.

Regards

trig

Brambles

Hi,
Just to give a bit of further info. As far as I am aware the Ducato (new) does not have a starter relay. The Ignition switch controls the solenoid directly on the Starter Motor. The ignition Key immobiliser works by the engine management sytem not firing the Fuel injectors so engine cannot be started. There are various fuses you can remove to further immobilise the sytem, but I would not recommend tampering with them as the management sytem can end up locking out completely requiring reset by a main dealer. (This can also happen if you remove the battery for too long, I believe you have a few minutes to change a battery but I am not certain on that point. Maybe someone knows if it is safe to disconnect the battery for a long period or maybe not disconnect even to change requiring a dealer to reset.
(Petrol engined ducatos, I believe, can be reset via the ignition key being turned on an off in a set cycle).
Jon.

max123

Thanks for that, I must stop myself from tampering with things.
Cheers
Max123