Help Please - Engine won't turn

Sorry for starting new thread on non starting RR. I only bought my RR 3 weeks ago and since then I have covered over 2000 miles without incident. Yesterday I went out to the shops and all was fine. Came home and less than 10 minutes later I went to go somewhere else and the car would not start.
All the lights on the dashboard come on but no error messages. The engine won't even crank. I had a suspicion about the battery (it is very small) and thought it may have given up. I took it inside to charge it and after 30mins it was showing fully charged. Refitted but the same problem only now I have these messages telling me windows and sunroof is not set.
I have ploughed through the forums last night and this morning but there is a ton of things which could be wrong. Is there a chance this is an immoliser problem or am I missing something real simple?
This is my only car so I am stuck at the moment.

1997 4.6 HSE Auto

Stupid question perhaps, but I assume the gear lever is in Neutral or Park when you're turning the key...?

Guy

Hi JT and welcome to the forum.

I'm not sure if it helps, but sometimes when I jump into my 4.6 and quickly go to start it, nothing happens it just sits there. I have to turn the ignition off and then back on slowly and it fires up, odd I know but not a real problem just a pain in the proverbial.

The windows and sunroof not set thing is just because the battery has been disconected, just follow the manual to set them again, it's very simple.

kooky_guy said:

Stupid question perhaps, but I assume the gear lever is in Neutral or Park when you're turning the key...?

Guy

Click to expand...

Yeah, that was the first thing I checked but of course it could be the switch - just another thing on a long list of things to check....

Nidjet said:

Hi JT and welcome to the forum.

I'm not sure if it helps, but sometimes when I jump into my 4.6 and quickly go to start it, nothing happens it just sits there. I have to turn the ignition off and then back on slowly and it fires up, odd I know but not a real problem just a pain in the proverbial.

The windows and sunroof not set thing is just because the battery has been disconected, just follow the manual to set them again, it's very simple.

Click to expand...

Thanks Nidjet, I had a go with your theory but no joy. I just can't accept that it can be something serious as it was running perfectly 10 minutes prior to failing.

jt_armstrong said:

Yeah, that was the first thing I checked but of course it could be the switch - just another thing on a long list of things to check....

Click to expand...

I think you can short out the inhibiter switch to test it. Not sure exactly where it is though. That should probably be near the top of your list of things to try. If it were immobilised I would expect a message on the message centre so it doesn't sound like it's that.

If you're getting all the dash lights then I would guess that it's unlikely to be the ignition switch, although you never know.

Guy

I dont think that it's an immobiliser issue as the message display would say so. as you say could be your gear selector switch.

kooky_guy said:

I think you can short out the inhibiter switch to test it. Not sure exactly where it is though. That should probably be near the top of your list of things to try. If it were immobilised I would expect a message on the message centre so it doesn't sound like it's that.

If you're getting all the dash lights then I would guess that it's unlikely to be the ignition switch, although you never know.

Guy

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Ah great minds think alike

kooky_guy said:

I think you can short out the inhibiter switch to test it. Not sure exactly where it is though. That should probably be near the top of your list of things to try. If it were immobilised I would expect a message on the message centre so it doesn't sound like it's that.

If you're getting all the dash lights then I would guess that it's unlikely to be the ignition switch, although you never know.

Guy

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Just had a play with the gear shifter and the car does the same no matter which gear is selected - surprisingly though, I was able to select any gear. On my last car you couldn't take it out of park unless the engine was running and your foot was on the brake.
I'm thinking it is the inhibitor switch. Anybody know where it is located?

John

Just a thought, with the ing on try the wiper's. if they are slow the I'd check your battery first, even though it may show charge it could have a failed cell and produce nothing on cranking. worth a quick look.

Landyroy said:

Just a thought, with the ing on try the wiper's. if they are slow the I'd check your battery first, even though it may show charge it could have a failed cell and produce nothing on cranking. worth a quick look.

Click to expand...

I would expect at least a click from the starter if that were the case though.

Guy

kooky_guy said:

I would expect at least a click from the starter if that were the case though.

Guy

Click to expand...

I agree with you Guy, plus you would probably have the classic "Gearbox Fault" message.

Landyroy said:

Just a thought, with the ing on try the wiper's. if they are slow the I'd check your battery first, even though it may show charge it could have a failed cell and produce nothing on cranking. worth a quick look.

Click to expand...

Doesn't appear to be a problem. They are as fast as I as can remember them being.

tick tock watch the clock..

[nomedia]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrtujbB68ZU]YouTube - Prodigy - Fire [Sunrise version[/nomedia]

sounds like its lost its code, you may need some body to come out and plug it in

just a thought, have they got a starter motor relay, like the classics had?
have you tried jumping the starter solenoid?

So after dismantling the centre console I have manged to rule out any gear box inhibitor switches. Still working off the "it was fine 10 mins previously therefore it it has got to be something simple" theroy I started to check the fuses. I have found one which is blown. A 30amp large format from position Maxi 2. It has the icon for raising/lowering the car. I don't have a replacement but is that likely to stop the engine cranking? Of course the reason why a 30 amp fuse blew could be another days work....

OK - with fingers crossed I shorted out the blown fuse and "Hey Presto" she now starts. If I disconnect the short the engine keeps running so at least I can get to the local garage for a replacemnet fuse. Not sure why it blew or if a replacement will also blow. The ride hight indicator on the dashboard is showing the low and normal indicators on (None flashing) not sure if this is a bad sign or not. Is it safe to drive these things if the suspension is inop?

Hi Jt
The Maxifuse nr 2 is for the starter as you've found and also the air suspension compressor (via the relay). Looks like the compressor has a fault OR there is a problem with your fuse box - a known fault on these. This will require the removal of the fusebox to check properly but do you see any melted plastic etc anywhere in there?

even if its fooked its easy...