swoakes

New Member
Hi Guys, Hope you can help me with an electrical problem on a Range Rover 3.5 V8 purchased today
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When I collected the car there was a known intermittent electrical problem; when turning the key it would sometimes just click. Moving the cowl around the steering wheel whilst turning the key enabled the car to start. I drove the car nearly 200 miles home and it ran faultlessly and restarted after a re-fuel as above.

When we got home I was showing the kids and again it started fine when the cowl was moved whilst turning the key. However the next try resulted in the car just turning over and not attempting to fire
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; I also noticed that the dash warning lights do not illuminate as they did before with the ignition on.

I have removed the steering wheel cowls and discovered that the back of the ignition switch is loose where the cables enter the switch; this was obviously how it started OK before by moving the cowl which moved the wiring which moved the back of the switch. Problem is I can find no loose connection other than the switch and I can not get the dash warning lights to illuminate as they did previously. I have pulled on every wire and I cannot find a loose connection anywhere.

I have concluded that the ignition switch is faulty internally and that it is providing 12v to turn the engine over but not 12v to the ignition circuits; question is is that possible
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My other thought is that it could be an immobiliser issue; if I have one?

I would really be grateful for any pointers in the right direction.

Thanks

Steve
 
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if it starts when you move the cowl then something is loose or broken, find it and fix it. simple:D
start at the switch while you say thats loose:rolleyes:
 
It did start when I moved the cowl but now it doesn't and as I said the dash lights no longer light up when the key is turned. I will order a new switch and fingers crossed it is that; just not sure if a faulty switch could give these symptoms i.e will turn over but not fire:confused: Steve
 
yep, position 2 gives you your ign lights and the ****e. position 3 is start. could be a broken wire and also check the back of the fusebox for signs of corrosion or burning.
 
An update. I spent lunchtime preparing the way for the new switch. I have discovered that some bright spark (read idiot) has wired the heated rear screen switch mounted on the steering column as an immobiliser :!: :!: :!: :!: So yesterday when I was showing the kids one of them must have pressed the button and basically killed the ignition circuit. The ignition switch remains faulty though and needs replacing anyway. I guess its a very good place to hide a kill switch BUT as a new owner it would have been nice to know. Steve
 

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