Freelander starting problem

Landrover cranks, then starts briefly but then cuts out and cranks continuously. Won't start again unless key is taken out, car is locked and then uncloked again and the pattern repeats where it cranks, starts, then cuts out.

Mechanic's at an end now so any ideas please?

He's tried

Temp Sensor
AFM sensor
Choke
Oxy sensor
Lambda sensor
Coil pack + Spark plugs
Immobilisor rings
Fuel pump - has been cleaned and dry tested
Fuel pressures are correct
Tried starting with spare key, same problem
Tested on approved landrover diagnostic found no problem
Cleaned + checked elec feeds

He's going to replace the crank sensor next week?

Anyone got any ideas? im at a complete end with this car! the problem just started one day out the blue, car hasn't started correctly since december

Thanks.. Mike

its a 2003 1.8 litre petrol

could be an immobiliser fault
or
a vaccuum leak at the throttle body or inlet manifold.

I assuming your injectors have been checked.
Is your air filter clean?

he hasn't checked the injectors, before this fault i let the tank go completely empty so i wondered if maybe some gunk from the petrol at the bottom of the tank got carried along the line. I did notice a sucking noise coming from the injectors when the car was put into the on position?

could be a blocked injector

thanks for feedback i'll pass that on to him

he bypassed sensors and apparently it ran for a few minutes without them "rough running" do you think it could be the crank sensor i've read they dont show up on diagnostics? thanks

you'll get better advice from 'Northern Irelander'. If its urgent you could pm him.

mtonks said:

he bypassed sensors and apparently it ran for a few minutes without them "rough running" do you think it could be the crank sensor i've read they dont show up on diagnostics? thanks

Click to expand...

Just read me Haynes, its says:
the crankshaft sensor informs ECM of engine speed and crankshaft position.

Then says further on " if there is an abnormality in any readings from any sensor the ECM enters a back-up mode where the ECM ignores the faulty sensor and uses preprogrammed readings which allow the engine to continue to run albeit at a reduced efficiency." This will show by a warning light in the instrument panel and a fault code.

matches, from experience most vehicles need crank sensor to run, v6 omega's suffered problems with crank sensor wire getting crushed and picking up stray signals-oscilloscope the crank sensor

haynes says that it would go into safe mode though, not cut out.

99% of crank sensor failures will cause non start on most vehicles unless it uses cam sensor as backup, the correct way to proceed is to scope the sensors after checking for spark and injector fuel pressure and pulse switching on injectors-until you do that it is all guesswork.

thanks howardo - so it won't run with everything as it is, but when he bypassed the sensors it was rough running? any ideas? thanks for feedback!

Do what fanatic said, but not involving the matches(just yet anyway)

thanks fanatic that's encouraging this cars doing my nut! I hate it haha

Not 100% sure, how good is your mechanic?

Should never really go for the shotgun approach on sensors until you are absolutely sure, mechanical parts yes, but sensors no.

If the diagnostics is coming out fine then I can't add to that.

Think Howardo has answered your question, all injectors should be removed and cleaned (recess where it sits in the fuel rail too)

There are two o rings on each injector, apparently they should be replaced when taken apart, personally I would seal them with a smear of grease and see if that works.

Injectors - it's something I've never had to touch in almost 20 years (accumulative total) of owning k-series.

With draining the tank, your mechanic should have checked these long ago, it is a service no 19.60.04 in the official Rover manual.

It's frustrating as hell, but it will be something simple, good luck.


Look on the bright side, my FL hasn't cranked over since mid-November, full top end rebuild, and that was just for fun

fanatic said:

99% of crank sensor failures will cause non start on most vehicles unless it uses cam sensor as backup, the correct way to proceed is to scope the sensors after checking for spark and injector fuel pressure and pulse switching on injectors-until you do that it is all guesswork.

Click to expand...

Cam sensor (MEMS 3 only) works in sync with crank, it my understanding if timing is wrong the ECU shuts the engine down,
Supposed to prevent damage, but usually in the likes of a belt failure, it is too late with bent valves already gone.

At best, all he should do is take it out and clean it with wire brush/wool

thanks northern irelander i'm passing all this information onto my mechanic. It crossed my mind last night could it be the cambelt thats gone? the cars done 60,000 miles and hasn't had a service since 2008 although the car was SORN (offroad) for a year and i just started it every few days to make sure its ok?

Thanks

Hi, did you solve the problem? I have exactly the same symptoms and just about to start looking.

Thanks John