ECU ticking.

Hopefully someone will be able to help. A friend has a Freelander 1 and changed the battery. It now turns over but wont start and there is a clicking noise from the ECU. Its a 2litre diesel. Any ideas? It started fine before changing the battery.

Further, when he changed the battery he turned the ignition key and the heater plugs light illuminated but now it doesn't light up.

Is it possible he shorted the ECU when unplugging the battery? An easy fix for some shorted ECU's is to connect a separate ground lead to the ECU.

Doesnt cost much to try at least.

JRNORWAY said:

Is it possible he shorted the ECU when unplugging the battery? An easy fix for some shorted ECU's is to connect a separate ground lead to the ECU.

Doesnt cost much to try at least.

Click to expand...

Thanks, will give it a try.

Just wondering if the immobiliser has activated and it may start if he locks/unlocks the door with the key?

Is it the L-series or TD4 pre 2003 or a later TD4?

Is there a red blinking light in the dash?

1999 no red flashing light in the dash. L series.

Just reading this last night
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/freelander-wont-start-after-re-fitting-alternator-178385-4.html
might be F6 fuse - worth a check

Brack said:

Just reading this last night
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/freelander-wont-start-after-re-fitting-alternator-178385-4.html
might be F6 fuse - worth a check

Click to expand...

Thanks, will let him know.

Fuses are all okay and its more of a buzzing noise from the ECU. He has removed the kill plunger switch on the pump and disconnected it and the noise goes away but still wont start.

Bump..... The old guy was on the dog n bone tonight again, he reckons the heater plugs are not working but they were okay before he swapped the battery.Any clues? I am going to have a butchers at it tomorrow.

Plugs not working won't stop it from starting though.....

I suspect the immobiliser is not cutting off but is there a way to check it?

Dont think the starter would turn if immobilised.

Has he told you everything? did he create any sparks when changing the battery? has he been using jump leads prior to changing the battery, if so were they connected properly - pos to pos and neg to his engine bay bodywork.

Has he reversed polarity somehow

I visited the old lad today. When the ignition is turned on, the heater plugs light does not illuminate, nor do the heater plugs work. The main relay, situated outside the ECU unit goes into overdrive and buzzes. This buzzing stops when a wire is fed from + battery terminal to the injector pump cut off valve.The engine turns over but does not fire up. L series Diesel.

:bump: Oh, its getting fuel to the pipes.

He has tested the black and white wire feeding from the relay to the inj pump strangler and there appears to be a broken wire.