HELP! Engine Immobilized

hi all,

i am in desperate need of help also - i am rubbish with cars and jargon to be honest, so Lehman’s terms required please

i brought my first range rover 1999 HSE 4.6l diesel a few months ago, i generally only drive it over the weekend, ok so i haven’t drove it in say 2 weeks..so i needed to top up the washer liquid, so i unlocked the car, opened the bonnet, did that, i also thought while i am there i will clean my leather seats, so again unlocked the car (i think, i may have left it open!) then proceeded to wash all the seats front and back..
i thought let me check to see if the washer jets were ok, but i put my key in, nothing! - no front lights, engine doesn’t tick over, like i say no lights come on, and i noticed the back doors and sometimes the front doors are self locking continuously...i read in the manual they you have to put the key in the ignition within 30 seconds (i definitely didn’t do this) - have i immobilised my car? - so, i tried the code emergency thingy which was in my service pack, but this did nothing - any suggestions? i am completely lost and upset as this is my pride and joy loll...i am sure it's not a huge problem, but i am concerned, as before that the car was driving like a dream and never a warning massage at all!, now, it doesn’t even say key in ignition or anything, but i did notice that my fobs light flashes with i have it in the ignition and turn it...also the parking gear light comes on - also when i try and start the engine i get the 3 beep warning, but no lights or anything come on at all....

please help me guys - a very scared newbie

grrrzie said:

Hi all,

i am in desperate need of help also - i am rubbish with cars and jargon to be honest, so Lehmans terms required please

i brought my first range rover 1999 4.6l deisel a few months ago, i generally only drive it over the weekend, ok so i havent drove it in say 2 weeks..so i needed to top up the washer liquid, so i unlocked the car, opened the bonnet, did that, i also thought while i am there i will clear my leather seats, so again unlocked the car (i think, i may have left it open!) then proceeded to was all the seats front and back..
i thought let me check to see if the washer jets were ok, but i put my key in, nothing! - no front lights, engine doesnt tick over, like i say no lights come on, and i noticed the back doors and sometimes the front doors are self locking continiously...i read in the manual they you have to put the key in the ignition within 30 seconds (i definitely didnt do this) - have i immobalised my car? - so, i tried the code emergency thingy which was in my service pack, but this did nothing - any suggestions? i am completley lost and upset as this is my pride and joy lol...i am sure it's not a huge problem, but i am concerned, as before that the car was dirving like a dream and never a warning massage at all!, no, it doesnt even say key in ignition or anything, but i did notice that my fobs light flashes with i have it in the ignition and turn it...also the parking gear light comes on - also when i try and start the engine i get the 3 beep warning, but no lights or anythign come on at all....

please help me guys - a very scared newbie

Click to expand...

Could you pop out and read what is written on the back. A 1999 4.6 litre diesel would be a very rare beast indeed. Your location would be helpful also.

G~

hi,

what am i looking for on the back? ohh sorry, its a HSE 4.6 Nov 1999 - the car is in Essex (Hornchurch, near Romford) but i work in London

When you were cleaning the seats, did you get a bit enthusiastic and splash water or anything that might have got under the driver's seat?

Also, when you first unlocked the car, did you use the remote fob or the key?

G~

hi,

no water was used when cleaning the car, i used these like baby wipes that were especially made for upholstry...

from what i can remember, when i first went ot unlock the car, the fob didnt seemingly open the doors, so i used the key to open it..

Suspect you've got the flattest battery in Christendom and you will have to find the cause idc. Does a quick question, is the clock wrong? If it is, the battery is really flat as a very flat thing.

G~

i will get my Girlfriend to check as i am at work at the minute and she has the day off...will get her to check the clock...

it is normal, then if i have a flat battery, no lights nothign will come on? i mea absolutely nothing?

thanks for your help by the way, is much appreciated...

You say the door locks keep cycling (locking and unlocking continuously) - I would think it iis the dodgy case of either the remote RF reciever failure causing the battery to die, aand the locks to keep cycling....

If the car wouldn't unlock on the Fob, so you had to use the key - you will need to use the EKA code to remobbilise the vehicle, but I would say your battery is flat...

Things to do first....

Charge Battery
Replace the RF reciver if it is not the 3rd generation version
Connect Battery
Resync Keys using the method in the hand book
Enter the EKA Code and start car....

The P38's hate weak/naff batteries - it causes all sorts of havoc...

The RF reciever is what receives the unlock/lock code from the fob - they are prone to picking up stray RF signals from WiFi systems or Radio arieals.....this causes the BeCM (cars brain) to keep waking up to check the signal - this constat waking up will drain the battery, and if severe enough drain it over night.

The new RF reciever version elimnates this.

A flat battery on a P38 is something to be avoided.

If the car was locked on the fob, then opened on the key - you will need to enter the EKA code to remobilise the car.

If the EKA doesn't fix it, and you get a message on the dash saying ENGINE DISABLED this means you will need to resync the BeCM and the Engine ECU which can only be done with a Syncmate or other diagnostic device.

Stick around on here, loads of advice from very knowledgable members....

You will get much better help thanI can provide in due course. Some of it a bit grumpy about not having used the search facility before asking questions and the niceties of introducing yourself before asking.

Range Rovers are notorious for flat batteries. Sometimes it is the car's security system (probably most times) but if you've left it for a fortnight there are other possibilities. I think that you can leave the sidelights on but would have to check.

Is it parked where you usually park it?

G~

hi all,

sorry for not introducing myself - just in a panic here..

the girlfriend just confirmed that the car has the correct time, does that mean the battery is ok? or possible there is still a fault there?

how does one replace an RF receiver? (again apologies as i am clueless when it comes to car, i work with numbers not car ha ha - where is the RF receiver on the car?

and just to maek sure - the EKA is the security code thingy? turn to lock 4 times to get started? then clock wise and anti clock wise in sqquence with the code? as i tried this and it didnt work...

car is parked where i have had it parrked for a month since i moved to Essex -

I think it's going to take a little more work than you anticipate.

You say you moved about a month ago and that the locks have been playing. That's consistent with Saint V8's theory. There is something interfering with the security system. (Weather stations are a favourite)

You're looking at about 180 for the new receiver - main dealer
If the battery is knackered , another 100 or so. Look for posts by Datatek for recommended types.
You might also be looking at replacing door lock actuators if yours have burnt out - hopefully not

You'll need a decent battery charger, a set of spanners and screwdrivers (including a stumpy cross head) to do the work.
Search and read carefully. Everything necessary is on this site. Pay particular attention to the correct way to disconnect and reconnect the battery.

It is possible that you will need a resynch of the BECM (Car computer) and ECM (Engine computer). There is a gizmo made by Black Box Solutions that does this - around 120 but, as you are a banker, you could afford a Nanocom Evolution. This will make you the envy of other RR owners in your area. - just short of 400.

Look out for the poster 'The Buddah' - he is in your area and may be willing to drop by in exchange for a case of Bollinger.



G~

grrrzie said:

hi all,

sorry for not introducing myself - just in a panic here..

the girlfriend just confirmed that the car has the correct time, does that mean the battery is ok? or possible there is still a fault there?

how does one replace an RF receiver? (again apologies as i am clueless when it comes to car, i work with numbers not car ha ha - where is the RF receiver on the car?

and just to maek sure - the EKA is the security code thingy? turn to lock 4 times to get started? then clock wise and anti clock wise in sqquence with the code? as i tried this and it didnt work...

car is parked where i have had it parrked for a month since i moved to Essex -

Click to expand...

Yep the EKA is the code you enter by turning the key in sequence....if it is not recognising this input, it could be a number of things - the BeCM has gone into an Alarmed state and locked down the vehicle, the Door Lock microswitch is knackered and is not transferring the code to the BeCM, input sequence is wrong (some model years don't require the 4 turns to initiate the sequence - ongoing thread about this recently - do a search for it makes good reading) or the Code is Wrong!!

If the clock indicates the right time, it could mean the battery is still discharged, but with just enough juice to run the clock!!

Check Fuse No 1 - this fuse is for the dashboard - you say you get no lights or anything on the dash - check this fuse it is under the drivers seat - if it is OK, and you still get no lights - it is probably a flat battery.

The RF receiver is located under the plastic trim behind the rear seats by the rear seat fold down button - remove this plastic trim and you'll see a black box with a couple of wires on it one of which is a blue wire (this is the RF aerial).

thats funny as whe i was cleaning the seats, behind the front passenger seat there were exposed wires there (is a pannel missing i dont know) but i pushed them back under the seat, maybe i jogged somethign there? i will look at the battery when i get home, apparently there is a light on there that will indicate weather charing is required? -

but wow i must meet "the Buddah", he sounds like the man for me

grrrzie said:

thats funny as whe i was cleaning the seats, behind the front passenger seat there were exposed wires there (is a pannel missing i dont know) but i pushed them back under the seat, maybe i jogged somethign there? i will look at the battery when i get home, apparently there is a light on there that will indicate weather charing is required? -

but wow i must meet "the Buddah", he sounds like the man for me

Click to expand...

Ignore the 'Charging Required Lamp' just bung it on charge in anycase....

There are many dangling wires under the seat that are visable - Seat Heaters, Side Airbags (Depnedant on year), Seat Belt pretensioners, electric seat motors etc etc.....I don't recall a panel on the lower part of the the seats to the rear....I would guess they are supposed to be clipped/tied up out of the way - but these things have a habit of dropping down.

Do the interior lights work or if they do are they dim or bright??

Send a Private Message to Buddah, he may be local and able to help!

hi,

yes moved a month ago, there has always been a issue with the central locking, only the 2 passenger doors would ever open using the button on the fob, i would then have to unlock the front door with the key, and manually lean over and unlock the front passenger door (not ideal but i would get over it as i generally drive alone)

the car drover perfectly, never an error message or anything indicating there was anything wrong at all (only low was screen level thingy) i drove the car a couple of weeks ago and was fine, i haven’t drove it for 2 week now - then last night i washed the seats and filled up the washer jets - i may have jogged a wire or 2 behind the front passenger seat as these are exposed on my car, like a gap and i can see all the wiring (this don’t look normal to me) so i pushed the wires back under the seat, possibly jogging something...

now when i unlock the car with the key, the 2 back doors and front driver door keep locking themselves. also a noise like its locking and unlocking and locking and so on. - but as soon as i put the key in the ignition, this all stops - again no lights come on anywhere except the park Gear lights up red...when i try and start the engine i get the 3 beeps thingy...but that’s it.. sometimes there is a noise under the front seat where the fuses are, like it’s trying to move the seat or something I am not sure…

yeah the internal lights work when the doors are open - i guess they were dim, but i am not sure how light they should be to be honest

grrrzie said:

hi,

yes moved a month ago, there has always been a issue with the central locking, only the 2 passenger doors would ever open using the button on the fob, i would then have to unlock the front door with the key, and manually lean over and unlock the front passenger door (not ideal but i would get over it as i generally drive alone)

the car drover perfectly, never an error message or anything indicating there was anything wrong at all (only low was screen level thingy) i drove the car a couple of weeks ago and was fine, i haven’t drove it for 2 week now - then last night i washed the seats and filled up the washer jets - i may have jogged a wire or 2 behind the front passenger seat as these are exposed on my car, like a gap and i can see all the wiring (this don’t look normal to me) so i pushed the wires back under the seat, possibly jogging something...

now when i unlock the car with the key, the 2 back doors and front driver door keep locking themselves. also a noise like its locking and unlocking and locking and so on. - but as soon as i put the key in the ignition, this all stops - again no lights come on anywhere except the park Gear lights up red...when i try and start the engine i get the 3 beeps thingy...but that’s it.. sometimes there is a noise under the front seat where the fuses are, like it’s trying to move the seat or something I am not sure…

Click to expand...

BINGO

This indicates the Door Lock Microswitch is knackered - the EKA won't be recognised in this case.
I would say a flat battery caused by dodgy RF reciever.....
Flat Battery caused EKA to be required
EKA not recognised as the Front Door Lock microswitch not functioning and not sending the EKA to the BeCM
Door Locks Cycling caused by Dodgy RF Receiver/Low Battery and possibly naff Door Microswitch....

Revised to do list:

Charge Battery
Fit new Door Lock to Drivers Door
Replace RF Reciver
Reconnect Battery
Resync Keys
Enter EKA
Start Car or use (syncmate et al, should it be required to synd BeCM to Engine ECU)

Hi all, brought a new battery and things all seem good touch wood, now the only thing that dont work on the fob is the front passenger door, i still have to do this manually, is that a simple fix?

Thanks all for the help

grrrzie said:

Hi all, brought a new battery and things all seem good touch wood, now the only thing that dont work on the fob is the front passenger door, i still have to do this manually, is that a simple fix?

Thanks all for the help

Click to expand...

Battery source and type?

Hope it works out for you but do suggest that you re-read SaintV8's advice and address the issues. Otherwise you will be back!

G~

hi, if you P.M. me il'l give you my number and you can ring me and will talk you thru it to re-sync the car and hopefully get you mobile again , ok cheers for now .... mozz