Currently broken down: car wont start + gearbox lights

So, as I sit here waiting for the AA I thought I might try the collective wisedom of you guys!

2002 TD5 Disco auto. Just drove somewhere, stopped for a few minutes, got back in the car, car won't start. It's turning over fine, but seems like an immobiliser problem. The gearbox M and S lights are also flashing away. I've tried the usual of locking it, trying again and disconnecting the battery but no joy.

Any ideas?

1/ Try waggling the gear selector all the way up and down through the gears a few times? (From memory, I don't think it would even turn over if it was bad/contaminated XYZW, but seeing as you have nothing better to do, it'll keep you warm )

2/ Get the bonnet up and check red plug on ECU for oil. You'll probably need a philips to hand to loosen the retainer clip

Where abouts?

Sorry to bump an oldie, but has this been resolved? I am currently sitting at work wondering how I am going to get home!

99 Disco II V8

Same happened to me. Was driving along at about 55 KM/H, M & S lights started going off. Also noticed the gear selector indicator lights were flashing, as was the D indicator on the odometer. No noticeable loss in power. I slowed and tried the gear selector in neutral, flashing of the gear selector lights stopped and the flashing D on the odo changed to N and stopped flashing. Went back to drive and they flashed again. Additionally, I geared down to 3 and the shifter lights and odo indicator remained in Drive, and kept flashing. Geared down to 2 and same thing.

Got to work and shut down, tried restarting and it turns over like a demon, but doesn't fire up. Battery is only 6 months old and plenty strong, good connections. Tried disconnecting the negative lead for around 30 mins and reconnected, no joy. Also tried the wipers on, shifter in reverse and the rear wiper works fine. Fluid levels look fine. Even tried resetting the inertia switch. Tried turning it over in Neutral, nothing.

Have no idea what to try next, aside from calling Canterbury Landrover and see if they have any ideas.

plug in a tester...it'll tell you the fault

Only way is to plug in reader and see what faults could be xyz fault or wireing fault

The fact that your rear windscreen wiper still works is irrelevant, my XYZ switch had a poor connection causing the M&S lights to come on but the rear wiper still worked fine. The XYZ switch is not difficult to remove, drill out the rivets and have a look inside. The newer switch in black has less connections, mine just needed one piece of copper rebending and then was put back together with bolts. An easy fix for me and saved me £400.

The fact it is turning over well and not starting points to a few things.

Is the immobiliser cutting in?

Could it be a crank sensor (had this with a few other injection cars turn over fast and do not start)

MJI said:

The fact it is turning over well and not starting points to a few things.

Is the immobiliser cutting in?

Could it be a crank sensor (had this with a few other injection cars turn over fast and do not start)

Click to expand...

+1 sor the crank sensor.... but for the posterity: immobilised = no cranking(the immobiliser cuts the starter motor too)

sierrafery said:

+1 sor the crank sensor.... but for the posterity: immobilised = no cranking(the immobiliser cuts the starter motor too)

Click to expand...

My car occasionally doesn't start (TD5) but engne wizzes round, locking an dunlocking makes it work

MJI said:

My car occasionally doesn't start (TD5) but engne wizzes round, locking an dunlocking makes it work

Click to expand...

that doesnt mean it's the immobiliser...it's just some strange coincidence, for the immobiliser you dont have to lock just to unlock...your problem is more likely on the inertia switch circuit

BODY CONTROL UNIT - DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION 86-3-19 said:

Immobilisation
For immobilisation, the BCU disables the starter motor relay. When the engine is cranking, the ECM looks for a coded
signal from the BCU. If the signal is not received within one second of cranking, the fuel supply to the engine is
stopped and the injectors are disabled. This also prevents unburnt fuel from entering the catalyst.
If the BCU is disconnected, the engine starter motor will remain isolated by the starter motor relay and the ECM will
remain immobilised. The main wiring for the system is contained within the main harness which is relatively
inaccessible, so preventing intruders from disabling the system by cutting the wires for the immobilisation system.
Once the immobiliser has been activated, destruction of the trigger device or the wiring to it will not disarm the system.
The RF transmitter communicates to the BCU via the RF receiver using a 70 bit code. Pressing the unlock button on
the transmitter will re-mobilise the vehicle. The RF transponder is integrated into the metal key assembly, inserting
the key into the ignition switch will induce a signal in the exciter coil to re-mobilise the vehicle.

Click to expand...

sierrafery said:

that doesnt mean it's the immobiliser...it's just some strange coincidence, for the immobiliser you dont have to lick just to unlock...your problem is more likely on the inertia switch circuit

Click to expand...

Thanks SF

sierrafery said:

that doesnt mean it's the immobiliser...it's just some strange coincidence, for the immobiliser you dont have to lock just to unlock...your problem is more likely on the inertia switch circuit

Click to expand...

@MJI...by the way, replace the main relay R9 just to rule it out cos this one may cause the troubles you described

I had this problem and it turned out to be the battery which was less than a year old.