L322 pulling my hair out! (Not much left)

[Crankington]

Should still make a motoring whirring noise even if the lock hasn't engaged.

If its not making the noise, chances are it's the steering column that has failed and it's that which is stopping the car starting. Sounds odd but it is part of the immobiliser system. Most of the time it fails, the lock fails in the off position.

There are people who say they started the car by wiring up the steering lock to the interior light, or pulling and refitting a fuse, but that only works if the key is still good and recognised by the immobiliser. Mine wasn't so can't confirm or deny this trick on my car.

Apparently the ECU is a plug and play affair, no marrying needed but again, I don't trust a lot of people unless they've proved themselves or my experience backs up their claims.

Have a look here first:

L322 - Bypass the Steering Module for free - Here's a workaround

I went to take our L322 2006 Range Rover on a beach trip a few weeks ago and found the steering column failed in the locked position. Since I'm not keen on spending $1000 on a used column that may break again, I tried all the tricks I found online. I drilled and oiled the column with no luck...

www.landyzone.co.uk

AH that's interesting so do you think if I bypass the steering wheel column that this whole immobiliser issue might be solved? (IF my key is good)

 

[Pug957]

Can but try.

Fuse 18, some say pull it and try starting. Some say pull it and refitt then quickly try starting.

 

[Crankington]

Can but try.

Fuse 18, some say pull it and try starting. Some say pull it and refitt then quickly try starting.

I've pulled that and go the key to turn, but it cranks and doesn't start,

 

[Pug957]

Without a code reader that can read live values now I'm not sure what more to suggest.

My first suspicion at this point is the immobiliser is telling the ecu not to inject fuel but why exactly I don't know now. There's too many variables to just guess.

 

[Crankington]

Without a code reader that can read live values now I'm not sure what more to suggest.

My first suspicion at this point is the immobiliser is telling the ecu not to inject fuel but why exactly I don't know now. There's too many variables to just guess.

Yes that’s what the garage said, I’m going to look at buying a replacement ÉCU with immobiliser disabled.

 

[Pug957]

I'm seriously considering that, if i do will likely get a clifford alarm with remote start fitted. Got one on my Niva and it's a god send in the winter here.

 

[Crankington]

I'm seriously considering that, if i do will likely get a clifford alarm with remote start fitted. Got one on my Niva and it's a god send in the winter here.

Have got my ÉCU booked in with a company who disable the immobiliser for £50 . Hopefully that will be the end of the story

 

[Pug957]

Fingers crossed. Fortunately 20 year old RRs aren't high on the theft list these days.

 

[Crankington]

Hey all, so update from the frontline... The ECU is with the specialist, having the immobiliser delete done today and should get it back Monday/tuesday... fingers crossed!!!

 

[Crankington]

Okkk. Back again, just been over to fit the ÉCU, aaand nothing. But with the ECU was a note from the company that deactivated the immobiliser which said “if the car won’t start, bypass the immobiliser relay” … now looking online I can see that my RR doesn’t have a relay for the ECU, so does he mean just take out the EWS? , any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[badfluffy]

i some how think you have been barking up the wrong tree with the ecu being the problem

 

[Crankington]

i some how think you have been barking up the wrong tree with the ecu being the problem

Well, we’ve tried so many things, then with a diag mechanic coming out he narrowed it down to either the fuel pressure sensor or the immobiliser , but suggested crossing off the immobilisation first.

 

[kermit_rr]

fuel pressure sensor

This should show in diagnostics? You have had the car checked for error codes haven't you?

 

[badfluffy]

Well, we’ve tried so many things, then with a diag mechanic coming out he narrowed it down to either the fuel pressure sensor or the immobiliser , but suggested crossing off the immobilisation first.

there is a whole sequence of events that have to happen before the diesel will start (cant say about the petrol) any one of which would stop the starter from working

 

[Crankington]

This should show in diagnostics? You have had the car checked for error codes haven't you?

Yes so the diag found 2 things , 1 that the immobiliser wasn’t working properly, and 2 that the fuel pressure wasn’t right, he said that I should deal with the IMMOBILISER first and then move to the pressure sensor on the fuel rail, just checking there’s nothing I’m missing by accident (like should I be deleting the EWS for example), before I then switch out the fuel pressure sensor

 

[badfluffy]

Yes so the diag found 2 things , 1 that the immobiliser wasn’t working properly, and 2 that the fuel pressure wasn’t right, he said that I should deal with the IMMOBILISER first and then move to the pressure sensor on the fuel rail, just checking there’s nothing I’m missing by accident (like should I be deleting the EWS for example), before I then switch out the fuel pressure sensor

i would do a leak off test before doing the fuel sensor as a faulty injector stops it starting ( and if it was cranking it wasnt the immobiliser)

 

[Crankington]

i would do a leak off test before doing the fuel sensor as a faulty injector stops it starting ( and if it was cranking it wasnt the immobiliser)

How do I do a leak off test if the car won’t run? By just cranking?

 

[kermit_rr]

1 that the immobiliser wasn’t working properly, and 2 that the fuel pressure wasn’t right

do you have any specifics? actual DTC codes?

 

[badfluffy]

How do I do a leak off test if the car won’t run? By just cranking?

you dont need to have it running just cranking for a leak off test, there are plenty of utube videos on how todo it plus a leak off kit on fliebay is about £35

 

[Pug957]

If its cranking over, there's only a couple of things it can be.

It's briefly firing on cold start being sprayed it, means no fuel.

Immobiliser has been bypassed and it's cranking so not likely ews at this point.

This pretty much leaves fuel pressure sensor on the fuel filter, should kick up a code but live data will show if this is working.
Camshaft sensor, will kick up a code.
Crankshaft sensor, won't kick up a code.
Injector leak off would have to be very bad not to start, should still start but be very rough.
Theres also a pressure sensor on the fuel pump/rail somewhere but that should give a code.