Freelander 2 (LR2) Cold starting issues

Hi everyone,
I have a 2012 freelander 2, which struggles to start when it drops below 5 degrees. Anything below zero and it doesn’t sound too healthy at all. So far it’s always started so not been left stuck anywhere. Once it has started and the engine is warm there is no issues at all.
I’ve changed the battery and glow plugs but neither have helped.
Thinking it could be a glow plug fuse or relay that could be causing the issue?
Any other suggestions gratefully appreciated.

Did you check power to the glow plugs before replacing? What error codes do you see?

kermit_rr said:

Did you check power to the glow plugs before replacing? What error codes do you see?

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No error codes at all.
Didn’t check the power, just got them replaced as by the time the garage got to the plugs it was worthwhile replacing.

You need to check that there is power to the glowplugs

Kevm said:

You need to check that there is power to the glowplugs

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How do I do this please? Multimeter? If they have no power what would you suggest I do next? Thanks guys

Hi,

Are you sure that issue comes from the plugs ? If the glow plugs have been changed recently and the voltage is lowering when the are active. You should certainly look somewhere else …

Scaz93 said:

How do I do this please? Multimeter? If they have no power what would you suggest I do next? Thanks guys

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You need to test the voltage, when the glow light comes. If the voltage is drop under 12V, you will know that the plugs are working. No need to find the relay or the fuse …

Alteredtech said:

Hi,

Are you sure that issue comes from the plugs ? If the glow plugs have been changed recently and the voltage is lowering when the are active. You should certainly look somewhere else …

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Hi
Not sure it’s is plug related, just thought battery and plugs is the first place to look. Not sure where else to look tbh…. Plugs aren’t easy to get to in the FL2 to test voltage. Hoping the garage did it when they put the new ones in. Any other thoughts on where to look next? Thanks for your help

Scaz93 said:

Hi
Not sure it’s is plug related, just thought battery and plugs is the first place to look. Not sure where else to look tbh…. Plugs aren’t easy to get to in the FL2 to test voltage. Hoping the garage did it when they put the new ones in. Any other thoughts on where to look next? Thanks for your help

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No need to access the plugs to test the voltage. You can test the voltage by testing the voltage on the cigare lighter socket, with a basic tester. The voltage will drop when the glow plugs are used.

Depending on the car mileage it could be the injectors, a fuel pipe, or a fuel pump, a sensor that it is malfunctionning …

An obd reader can help, you’ll get all the readings.

Thanks, will take a look

I have no trouble starting my FL2 as low as -5, so I doubt glowplugs are the problem.

Does the engine crank over okay?
Have you fitted the recommended -ve lead from battery to engine to supplemet the less than efficient -ve battery to body panel strap?

Scaz93 said:

I’ve changed the battery and glow plugs but neither have helped.

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Have you put the correct glow plugs in it?
A 2012 needs 5 Volt glow plugs, whereas the pre 2011 used 11 Volt plugs.
Obviously 11 Volt plugs in a 5 Volt system won't work correctly.
There's a fuse but no relay to drive the plugs, as power is supplied by a plug drive module.

Only 50k

Alteredtech said:

Depending on the car mileage it could be the injectors, a fuel pipe, or a fuel pump, a sensor that it is malfunctionning …

only 50k mileage. I did think about issues with fuel but it’s always ok in warmer temperatures so ruled it out. Could be a sensor somewhere perhaps
An obd reader can help, you’ll get all the readings.

Click to expand...

Alteredtech said:

Depending on the car mileage it could be the injectors, a fuel pipe, or a fuel pump, a sensor that it is malfunctionning …

An obd reader can help, you’ll get all the readings.

Click to expand...

Alteredtech said:

Depending on the car mileage it could be the injectors, a fuel pipe, or a fuel pump, a sensor that it is malfunctionning …

An obd reader can help, you’ll get all the readings.

Click to expand...

Nodge68 said:

Have you put the correct glow plugs in it?
A 2012 needs 5 Volt glow plugs, whereas the pre 2011 used 11 Volt plugs.
Obviously 11 Volt plugs in a 5 Volt system won't work correctly.
There's a fuse but no relay to drive the plugs, as power is supplied by a plug drive module.

Click to expand...

Yeh the correct plugs were used. Checked the fuse box and there is a glow plug relay and fuse. Just can’t access the fuse easily as it’s behind the side cover.

Rank Amatuer said:

I have no trouble starting my FL2 as low as -5, so I doubt glowplugs are the problem.

Does the engine crank over okay?
Have you fitted the recommended -ve lead from battery to engine to supplemet the less than efficient -ve battery to body panel strap?

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Hi, sorry not quite sure what you mean here? Please can you explain?

Follow the invaluable advice from @Nodge68 here

Scaz93 said:

Yeh the correct plugs were used.

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Have you checked to see if there is power available at the plugs? Unfortunately this is temperature dependent, but from memory the plugs are still powered for a short time when the engine is cold, even if the glow plug light doesn't illuminate.

Nodge68 said:

Have you checked to see if there is power available at the plugs? Unfortunately this is temperature dependent, but from memory the plugs are still powered for a short time when the engine is cold, even if the glow plug light doesn't illuminate.

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If you put a DVM across the battery with the ignition on, you should see the volts rise slightly as the plugs switch off?