Freelander 2 (LR2) Starting problem 2010 HSE auto

Hi,
Went out to car today and it wouldnt start.
On pressing the button, I had the usual cold weather delay as the plugs warmed and it turned over as usual but would'nt start. Engine turned over for few seconds each time then stopped. I tried 4 or 5 times.

I could not then get the key out of the docking slot. it would not eject - I had to pull it out.
I tried just operating the start button without my foot on the brake to see if it preheated the plugs any better. but it was no better - just lots of nearly catching.

Eventually it fired and has run ok for a 20 min drive. However - I now find it doesnt want to accept the key fob and I spent 10 mins trying to get it to engage. The slot does not light up with the 2 green lights and the displays remain off.

Im guessing the 2 faults are seperate - the starting issue is one and I have possibly damaged the key slot by pulling the fob out - however it would have just sat there churning away if I didnt..

The cold starting issue isn't related to key dock issue.

It's entirely possible that there are several glow plugs that are faulty, which is hampering cold starting.

Pulling the key out will damage the dock or key or both.
If the key won't eject, the key eject protocol hasn't been satisfied so you should have waited until it finished doing what it was doing.

If the key dock no longer functions correctly, it'll need replacing. Which means having a new dock programmed to the vehicle.

Just as a matter of interest, what is the right procedure for removing the key from the dock? I used a company pool car once, a bmw with a key dock. When I returned it, I couldnt get the key out. Brute force got it out in the end. Ive never had or used a.car with a key dock since.

Col

Colthebrummie said:

Just as a matter of interest, what is the right procedure for removing the key from the dock?

Click to expand...

It varies from vehicle make to vehicle make, but the Freelander 2 key won't eject unless the ignition is set to off using the start button.

If the engine is cranking and it's not starting, then it will crank for about 10 seconds then time out. Pressing the start button while it's cranking will cancel the cranking routine, and it'll revert to the ignition off status.
At this point the key should eject, but there my be a period of nothing happening, as the computers shut down again.

I must admit that I'd have preferred a normal ignition key live every LR before the FL2, but as FL2 relied heavily on Volvo XC60 components, it inherited the silly Volvo key dock too.