Daihatsu Terios car will not start and nobody understands why

Car: Daihatsu Terios
Model Year: 2000
Categories: Running Rough, Starting & Power Loss
Hi, i am the owner of a terios daihatsu, over 10 years old. I live in Canary Islands, Spain. Here, like in the rest of Europe, Daihatsu has no longer any presence, including aftermarket and service.
My car has now started misbehaving and i do not knnow how to solve the issue because nobody is able to provide diagnostics due to the incompatibility of diagnostic software and vehicle motherboard.
The problem i am experiencing is the following. As i turn on he car, it stays on for about 3 seconds and then it switches off. I have been advised this could be an issue due to the keyhole not being able to read the key but after some tests this option has been ruled out. I also tested the sensors, which all seem to be ok. Another option which i thought about is the fuel pump not being able to work properly and as the fuel stream is blocked, the engine stops suddenly. The battery has been tested and it works fine.
The solution every mechanic suggests is to buy a new motherboard - but because nobody has the compatible software any longer, i am running the risk of 1) not being able to configure the centraline and 2) if the car brakes down again nobody will have a compatible diagnostics software and finally 3) the cost of a new mother board is high, might as well buy a new car....
I would like to have more opinions on the matter before i am forced to buy another car as i cant find any mechanic that can fix it.
Thanks in advance for your help, i look forward to reading the responses to my post.
Posted: Jun 20, 2017 (7 years ago)
What is this " motherboard " you talk about ?
Posted Jun 20, 2017 (7 years ago)
My usual suggestion of find a better mechanic would seem to be a waste.
Clearly there are none where you live.
And though diagnostics are helpful they are not absolutely needed.
Not if the system is understood.
And I'm assuming either the 1.3 or 1.5 petrol?
Yes?
That actually makes it a little easier.
So after normal start up it cuts out after 3 seconds,
Is that dead stop as if the key has been turned off?
or spluttering?
And how long a time goes by before it can re start?
And when it cuts have you checked for a spark at the plug tips?
When it cuts if fitted does the rev counter register anything when you crank it over?
Answer these and we can move along.
Posted Jun 20, 2017 (7 years ago)

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