Needing help with starting problem....

[Aark]

Hi, my landrover disco 98 diesel was(is) the best car ive ever had! Until it decided not to start a few weeks ago. The car has battery life but it seems unwilling to turn over. I have a new light appear on the dash(car with key) and also a red light staying on just between the two clocks. Ive read various things about immobiliser problems and wonder if this sounds familiar to anyone? Can anyone advise me on what steps i should take?

 

[Paul D]

Sounds like the alarm 'spider' problem .. a search will find all details.

 

[Aark]

I have herd of this on other threads but the cars affected seemed to suffer from the car cutting out while driving. Mine had a couple of times when it wouldnt start after being parked up but after turning the key a couple of times it came back to life. It has never died on the road.
But this time no mental jedi power seems to will it into starting.

 

[Kwakerman]

I assume the battery in the key fob is ok? do the indicators flash when you disarm the alarm?

 

[Aark]

When i bought the car the key fob never worked although i have it. I just used to use the key to get in the door. I did try a battery but it never made the central locking work.

 

[Kwakerman]

It might be that the alarm/immobiliser has armed itself and is doing its job! Worth trying a new battery (a CR2032 I think), follow the manual to change as you need to press 'lock' 4 or 5 times to resynchronise fob / alarm. Then try disarming and starting. Only costs about £2 for a battery so worth a try.

 

[Aark]

I would just love it if this simple fix worked..... i will try it as soon as i get back and let you know.

 

[Kwakerman]

Then you can pop over to the introductions section as you should have done that first (forum etiquette)

 

[Aark]

Sorry.... didnt realise. Doing it now

 

[nrgserv]

at a guess you have the two button fob, not the single button.
all the re sync suggestions are for the single button fob.

depending on which motor you have, it could be a spider issue (early) or have an alarm ecu linked to the immobiliser (later)
(suspect later if you have red key light on dash)

spider issue can be bypassed, or if later system the ecu will need sending away with fobs for reprogramming.

 

[Aark]

I have a two button fob... which has never worked since the day i bought the car. So is this the spider or the ecu do you think?

 

[nrgserv]

I have a two button fob... which has never worked since the day i bought the car. So is this the spider or the ecu do you think?

ecu at a guess.
its been buggered about with in the past if you could start it without deactivating the alarm with the unlock button on the fob.

do you have a one wire pump or a three wire pump?

(wiring on rear of injector pump, NOT top of injector pump)

it is a manual gearbox, isn't it?

 

[Kwakerman]

at a guess you have the two button fob, not the single button.
all the re sync suggestions are for the single button fob.
.

Don't know if a disco is different but my 96 defender has a two button fob and the manual says to resync the remote post battery change.

HANDSET BATTERY
Service repair no - 86.77.13
Remove
1.​

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Unlock vehicle and disarm alarm system.​

2.​

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Turn starter switch to position ’II’.​

3.​

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Turn starter switch back to position ’0’ and
remove key.​

4.​

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Carefully prise handset apart, starting from
keyring end, using a coin or small screwdriver.​

5.​

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Slide battery out from retaining clip.​

6.​

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Press and hold one of the handset buttons for at
least five seconds to drain any residual power
from handset.​

NOTE: The engine will immobilise five​

minutes after key is removed from starter

Refit
7. ​

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Fit new battery into handset retaining clip with
positive side uppermost. Finger marks will
adversely affect battery life; if possible, avoid
touching flat surfaces of battery and wipe clean
before fitting.​

8. ​

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Reassemble two halves of handset.​

9. ​

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Press RH (Padlock) button at least four times​

within range of vehicle to resynchronise

 

[Aark]

So should i try getting a new fob from landrover? Is there a way to check if a fob is working?

 

[Oldseadog]

Try fitting a new battery first!

Where are you?

Northumberland is a bloody big county!