LUV2XLR8 · Jun 6, 2015

Hi All,

Subject: Key won't turn to switch on engine

Diagnosis & Symptoms

Steering Wheel Locked
Cannot move key to the right, but can remove the key
Tried wiggled Key
Tried Key Circular Motion
Tried steering wheel left and right while turning key
Tried spare key
Tried locking & locking door
Tried turn signal left and right few times
Tried adjusting the steering position
Tried folding side mirrors
Check Fuse 18 (could not find, attached)
Jump start (Did not try)

Solutions

New Keys?
New Ignition Switch
New Battery?
New Alternator?
New Transponder?
ECU Fault?
Clamp on battery poles loose?
Bad connections?
New sensor ring (Around key hole, not reading Transponder)
Remove Plunger?

My Case

Took key out, removed the (-) cable from battery, waited ten minutes, re-attached. Started car, key in ignition switch and key turned. Parked car underground. Managed to make the wife happy for about ten minutes.round 2?

Question

Is the Battery almost dead (Currently AC Delco) or is it the Ignition Switch? Possibly the Alternator..?

Would be nice to throw out the Plunger? :boxing:

(How do I upload videos? Extensions used? Allowed?)

Appreciate the support. Thanks all.

tomcat59alan · Jun 6, 2015

LUV2XLR8 said:
Hi All,

Subject: Key won't turn to switch on engine

Diagnosis & Symptoms

Steering Wheel Locked
Cannot move key to the right, but can remove the key
Tried wiggled Key
Tried Key Circular Motion
Tried steering wheel left and right while turning key
Tried spare key
Tried locking & locking door
Tried turn signal left and right few times
Tried adjusting the steering position
Tried folding side mirrors
Check Fuse 18 (could not find, attached)
Jump start (Did not try)

Solutions

New Keys?
New Ignition Switch
New Battery?
New Alternator?
New Transponder?
ECU Fault?
Clamp on battery poles loose?
Bad connections?
New sensor ring (Around key hole, not reading Transponder)
Remove Plunger?

My Case

Took key out, removed the (-) cable from battery, waited ten minutes, re-attached. Started car, key in ignition switch and key turned. Parked car underground. Managed to make the wife happy for about ten minutes.round 2?

Question

Is the Battery almost dead (Currently AC Delco) or is it the Ignition Switch? Possibly the Alternator..?

Would be nice to throw out the Plunger? :boxing:

(How do I upload videos? Extensions used? Allowed?)

Appreciate the support. Thanks all.

Is the video of how you made your wife happy for 10 minutes?

Must be a record.

LUV2XLR8 · Jun 6, 2015

anyone else like to share their support :confused2:

Datatek · Jun 6, 2015

First step is check the battery voltage IMO.

tomcat59alan · Jun 6, 2015

LUV2XLR8 said:
anyone else like to share their support :confused2:

Sense of humour level needs increasing

Datatek · Jun 6, 2015

tomcat59alan said:
Sense of humour level needs increasing

He bought a 2008 L322 supercharged so he must have a sense of humour

tomcat59alan · Jun 6, 2015

Datatek said:
He bought a 2008 L322 supercharged so he must have a sense of humour

Or a masochist

LUV2XLR8 · Jun 6, 2015

tomcat59alan said:
Sense of humour level needs increasing

:5biagree: :beer2:

luv2xlr8 :lvlove-160:

Tomcat59allan :banana:

2nd attempt to remove (-) terminal on battery , wait 10 mins, reconnect and turn key switch, engine on success.
Was worried as previously read this attempt is only possible once.

Changing battery and hope all goes well.

LUV2XLR8 · Jun 6, 2015

Went to a battery shop down the road, took a reading on the existing battery, (attached pic) guy said battery low. Previous owner did mention its best to change the battery (over 2 years old), so went ahead and changed it as it doesn't cost much, just under £70 all incl.

Started her up, worked finereached home, parked up, turned off, keys out.
keys back in, tried switch her on ..and saw that one coming.. :faint2:

After breaking a few sweats under 45 degrees of sun and running around finding a batteryback to where it all started..

Now what? Help please

holidaychicken · Jun 7, 2015

If you search rangerovers.net for a thread 'key won't turn in ignition', there are a few solutions on there, it's a few threads past your identical thread to this one on there, including the steering lock common fault and towards the end a guy explaining how he repairs the fault you have. .
It's also been covered a few times on here if you use the search function.

LUV2XLR8 · Jun 7, 2015

holidaychicken said:
If you search rangerovers.net for a thread 'key won't turn in ignition', there are a few solutions on there, it's a few threads past your identical thread to this one on there, including the steering lock common fault and towards the end a guy explaining how he repairs the fault you have. .
It's also been covered a few times on here if you use the search function.

Im checking that now. Thanks.

tomcat59alan · Jun 7, 2015

LUV2XLR8 said:
Im checking that now. Thanks.

Have you checked the alternator output?

LUV2XLR8 · Jun 8, 2015

Thank you for the response holiday chicken.

> Alternator is working fine and the new battery voltage is showing OK on the green marker as per the reader/Battery is new.

> Transponder in keys are fine (no key change two originals) and key battery are good

> Checked all connections, and there good too.

I feel that the key does not want to communicate with the steering and ignition switch.

When I do the terminal negative disconnect and then back to start the car she seems so much more happy and willingly turns and she's alive and kicking..

It seems like its a programming, ECU or some kind of software fix required? I don't see why any parts should be changed? Hope its not the $1500 Steering Column/Steering Lock ECU
Might be alright with the ignition switch or just the sensor behind the ignition switch?

That said, I am reading posts which are years old and worry that maybe its outdated?

I remember reading that the steering issues stopped because range rover changed them at a certain point, or are they like this up to a certain year? 2009 , 2010, 2011 ?

Seems like I might have to take her in to the dealer, $120 for a read and diagnosis

She's parked n the basement with a plyer and adjustable wrench..feels good opening the bonnet and getting those hands dirty for the battery trick, wish I could do more than that..
(Will attempt brakes n pads soon as mines are not far away from dead)

Must say people passing by thinking hmm, looks like we have a mechanic on the houseI like that..little do they know

Anyone with final advice please, it's taking up to much of my time? :scratching_chin:

LUV2XLR8 · Jun 8, 2015

I wouldn't mind trying screen shot attached. Seems relatively cost effective and a good way of solving the problem.

But again, would it work for the 2008 Models, sorry, no idea.. :5bbanghead:

If it does work, for how long?

holidaychicken · Jun 8, 2015

This is from the rangerovers.net thread i mentioned, its post 46.

Unhook your battery for a couple minutes and hook it back up. If the key turns on ONCE the column is definitely bad. If it does nothing, no sound or clicking. its most likely the immobilizer box behind the ignition switch. Its white. I have repaired over a hundred columns and all of them made some sort of noise. Don't assume the worst. Also turn your key upside down and put black rounded head into the ignition slot cavity. Sometimes the transponder coil wire breaks free from the blade.

and the thread is here

Key will not turn in ignition

This seems the most likely i can find and in the post is a steering column fix from one of the landrover magazines, i would have a good read and see if it relates to you

Apologies for linking to the competition....

LUV2XLR8 · Jun 11, 2015

holidaychicken said:
This is from the rangerovers.net thread i mentioned, its post 46.

Unhook your battery for a couple minutes and hook it back up. If the key turns on ONCE the column is definitely bad. If it does nothing, no sound or clicking. its most likely the immobilizer box behind the ignition switch. Its white. I have repaired over a hundred columns and all of them made some sort of noise. Don't assume the worst. Also turn your key upside down and put black rounded head into the ignition slot cavity. Sometimes the transponder coil wire breaks free from the blade.

and the thread is here

Key will not turn in ignition

This seems the most likely i can find and in the post is a steering column fix from one of the landrover magazines, i would have a good read and see if it relates to you

Apologies for linking to the competition....

Thanks HC, really appreciate the support! Yes i have read it and also counts for a solution but depends.

Spoke to a few garages who gave different methods...I am heading over now to one today, he doesn't charge and arm and a leg... it seems to be the solenoid pin, can only know for sure when he plugs her up and diagnosis the exact issue.

Lets leave it at that for now and will come back with the solution.

Thanks again.

daniel782 · Jun 11, 2015

Seems I have the same problem as you, only I tried swapping my key fob around with a new spare key that I brought. And then later on that day I couldn't start my car. And don't have a spare key.

My key won't turn either after disconnecting the battery or pulling fuse 18 and I can't here any clicking noises. I'm hoping its that fact that I messed around with my key.

But you said you had a spare key and that didn't work either??

I've tried calling autolocksmiths but typically it seems they can't replace those keys, it looks like main dealer only.

LUV2XLR8 · Jun 25, 2015

Attached pic.

This is the Solenoid pin a.k.a plunger..

It was either removed or adjusted. Garage said it was adjusted and he could comment any further but assured all is fine now...

Problem gone and fixed. Can move the key and start engine..

Almost for two weeks now no problems. Hope it stays that way..

Only one thing, sign reading "Key in Ignition Lock" after switching vehicle off, sometimes...

Funny, all works just fine

$300 for the job.

tomcat59alan · Jun 25, 2015

LUV2XLR8 said:
Attached pic.

This is the Solenoid pin a.k.a plunger..

It was either removed or adjusted. Garage said it was adjusted and he could comment any further but assured all is fine now...

Problem gone and fixed. Can move the key and start engine..

Almost for two weeks now no problems. Hope it stays that way..

Only one thing, sign reading "Key in Ignition Lock" after switching vehicle off, sometimes...

Funny, all works just fine

$300 for the job.

I used to get that message on my P38, bit of graphite dust down the key hole sorted mine.

LUV2XLR8 · Jun 25, 2015

tomcat59alan said:
I used to get that message on my P38, bit of graphite dust down the key hole sorted mine.

hows that done exactly?

Thanks Tom

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