BeCM...

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
J

jonpollock

New Member
Posts
23
right if any of you have read lately i had trouble with my 1996 4.6 HSE range rover not starting at all, did all the checks and no one had a clue.

well its been in the garage for 2 weeks now, and the bloke has said its definitely the BeCM unit under the seat and its going to cost £1100 + vat for a new one.

However, I'm a little confused with this, the car has had a diagnostic test done and everything came back fine, if the BeCM had failed wouldn't that show up on the test??

is £1100 right for a new BeCM?? another thing is, if its the BeCM how did he get it working at one point??

cheer guys.
 
All the mechs seem to like to blame the BECM when they don't know whats wrong, it's nice and expensive = profitable!
If it's just not starting, maybe it just need a security re-learn/resynch.
 
ive already asked that, but ive been told cos of everything thats wrong with it they doubt it would need syncing.

would things like the radio/wipers/windows all still work if the BeCM had failed?? i thought if that unit went everything in the car went too.
 
fuse box has been checked ive been told.

there are no warning lights or anything popping up on the instrument panel at all. the only thing that pops up is when the key is in and the door is open. "mileage:IGNITION KEY IN" thats it.
 
You are right, if the BECM is dead, widows, wipers, lights etc will not work, however individual circuits can fail causing just one thing to stop working. As said, PM Irishrover, he's the king of the BECM.
 
In the event of a lockout or the BECM to Engine ECU security "Handshake" being lost, all the functions controlled by the BECM could work as they should.

Prior to the problem, had the battery been removed or allowed to run flat?

:behindsofa:
 
the battery was changed last july and the car stopped working at the end of janaury, there was no signs of a flat battery or anything lately.

are you saying that if you redo the "handshake" it may fix the problem??
 
When you switch the ignition on, the "Engine Check" indicator should illuminate on the panel, if it doesn't, that means the engine ECU is not getting the "GO" signal from the BECM.
Cause could be synchronisation lost or BECM in "Alarmed" status. Resynch. is a quite simple procedure which needs someone with either Test Book, Rovacom/Faultmate or Autologic to rectify...as RickthePick stated on a recent post, the BBS Synchmate does not work on GEMS engines (Yours).
If the BECM is in Alarmed status, it will need to be cleared by specialised software which Rick the Pick, myself and others have, the main stealers cannot do it..only supply a replacement BECM. The BECM has to be removed from the car for this to be done.
:behindsofa:
 
That's the first course of action to take (Resynch).
As I say, the Engine Check needs to be on before the engine can start.

Where are you based? someone local to you may have the diagnostics to be able to carry out this first, essential step
 
im in York, im hoping one of you is near enough to come and try it, see if it works.

if it doesnt work, will i deffo need a new BeCM unit??
 
Take it one step at a time !!!!
If the resynch doesnt do the trick, all is not lost and a new BECM at £1000+ will not be necessary. As I said in my previous posts, alarmed and locked out BECM's can be reset and and the worse case scenario is that a replacement be supplied at a fraction of the cost of a new one.
Rick the Pick is based near Brighton and I am based in Ireland, both of us can help, obviously Rick is in the UK which may be better for you geograpically.
Someone local(ish) with the diagnostics will probably post to get you sorted out with the resynch.
What diagnostic system does the garage have? if it's not Test Book/Autologic/Rovacom-Faultmate, they don't stand a cat in hells chance of interrogating the P38 electronic systems fully. If they do have one of these systems, I can't understand why they can't resynch. as it's a straightforward, common procedure.
 
he told me it was an outside friends of his, they didnt have one for range rovers at his garage so he called his mate who did have one and checked it off. im gonna go down today and have a word with him and see what theyve got and things.

yea id appreciate if someone closer could post and let me know, then maybe come and have a look and re sync it for me.

thanks for the help.
 
Problem being that diagnostics wont register a failed becm.

Because all the functions are working doesn't mean the becm hasn't failed.

One major failure is that the vehicle wont start with no apparent reason.

We have had hundreds of becm's through our workshop & when we think we've seen every failure possible one will turn up that even has us scratching our heads.
 
how much do you charge rick if the resync is needed?? and how much to send it off and have it repaired?? im sure itll be cheaper than £1100 ive been quoted.
 
ive just been to the garage and had a look at the BeCM, the bottom board nearest to the fuses, has a corroded patch overlapping loads of the solders on the board, im guessing that will be the problem.

ive lost my job and no one can i afford to pay to have it repaired a new one. i dont want it going as scrap so im offering it to any of you lot. all it needs is the BeCM sorting and itll be up and running again i reckon, i dont even know how much its gonna be worth, so any offers for it are welcome, baring in mind the wheels and exhaust were £2000 brand new, so i dont want it going for silly money.

cheers for all your help anyway guys.
 
how much would you charge to repair one then?? the garage found one whilst i was there that charged around £400, which i still dont have. if your gonna say anything over £200 to be honest i cant afford it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ar1g3
P38A Bulb Failure message preconditions?
Replies
6
Views
647
Datatek
Datatek
ukadamwest
P38A Farewell to another P38.. or hello ?
Replies
18
Views
2K
Grrrrrr
Grrrrrr
I
P38 BeCM locked?
Replies
8
Views
893
pwood999
pwood999
A
P38A Cruise control question ( wheel speed issue )
Replies
16
Views
1K
AndyF07
A
Jazydave
Blower fans
Replies
12
Views
461
Datatek
Datatek
Back
Top