Fob problems - engine disabled

Hi,

i'm having a bit of a ongoing problem with my rangie.

First, both keys and fobs operated normally, they had fresh batteries 9 months ago and everything (well, not everything, it's a Range Rover afterall) was ok.

At one point, 4 months ago, Key 1 gradually lost it's ability to deactivate the immobiliser. It was intermittent at the beginning, but in two weeks the only way to start the car was actually unlocking it with the fob and within 30 seconds crank the engine, or else dash display just says Engine disabled (well it's in feckin Italian, so it actually says Motore disatt ).

The other key, Key 2 worked fine until last week. Then, same symptoms as the first one, but luckily started on 2 try after i opened and closed the door with the key removed. It happened again today and i'm starting to get worried. :doh:

As the car is 1995 P38a DT, it shouldn't have an active immobiliser at all. Or am i mistaken? Renewing the batteries in Key 1 didn't solve a thing.

Other than that, when the passenger's door gets hot (like when sun shines on it for an hour during the summer), the car goes berserk and the alarm sounds. I think the door adjar switch developed a tolerance problem, but still.

Thanks for any ideas folks

All P38's have and immobiliser/Alarm unless it's been disabled in the BECM as far as I'm aware.

:behindsofa:
Yes...I am still lurking in the shadows !!!

The alarm/immobiliser function settings in the Becm for European markets are the same as the UK, UNLESS they have been changed at sometime.
Can you elaborate on "The door ajar switch tolerance has been changed at some time" comment. The door ajar switch is located within the door latch mechanism and as far as I know is non adjustable...it is not the same as the usual door switch for the interior lamp activation, which is a simple plunger type switch fitted to the "A" post or centre post that we all recognise.
I think that a check/cleaning of the micro switches in the latch is the first port of call together with the door latch loom connectors.
I do not know of the effects of direct sunlight on the door assembly because we never get sunshine over here !!
That said, according to the EU we are the golden boys regarding looking after the Bankers whilst the man in the street is getting screwed to hell !!

Datatek: i thought the 1995 had a passive immobiliser and couldn't immagine what could go wrong with the passive chip inside a key to stop working intermittently. I knew it has one, just do not know how exactly it operates. And sadly, i don't have anyone around with a blackbox to disable the alarm and immo... who in their right mind would want to steal the car anyway. And if he did, i reckon he would return it in no time

Irish: yep, i didn't make myself clear. I was thinking about metal expansion when hot. The problem only happens when sun shines on passenger door for prolonged time. When it gets hot, in my wild imagination there is some mysterious metal part/actuator or sth that expands a little too much and causes the door ajar switch to activate the alarm. But i could be seriously wrong, as it didnt bother me much and i haven't took the latch apart yet. Yes, my neighbours hate me and my car, but i live just far enough from the parking space that i can't hear the alarm
Well, we're up to the ankles in bankers asses too, it's just the wrong part of us that's in ... They would benefit from some kickin', not lickin'.

I guess that all the others on here are bankers and i scared them a little bit Well, you should be a banker if you want to afford rangie maintenance anyway...

chort said:

Datatek: i thought the 1995 had a passive immobiliser and couldn't immagine what could go wrong with the passive chip inside a key to stop working intermittently. I knew it has one, just do not know how exactly it operates. And sadly, i don't have anyone around with a blackbox to disable the alarm and immo... who in their right mind would want to steal the car anyway. And if he did, i reckon he would return it in no time

Irish: yep, i didn't make myself clear. I was thinking about metal expansion when hot. The problem only happens when sun shines on passenger door for prolonged time. When it gets hot, in my wild imagination there is some mysterious metal part/actuator or sth that expands a little too much and causes the door ajar switch to activate the alarm. But i could be seriously wrong, as it didnt bother me much and i haven't took the latch apart yet. Yes, my neighbours hate me and my car, but i live just far enough from the parking space that i can't hear the alarm
Well, we're up to the ankles in bankers asses too, it's just the wrong part of us that's in ... They would benefit from some kickin', not lickin'.

Click to expand...

Check the wiring loom where it goes from the door to the A post, the wires do break and can move with heat.