L322 - won't turn over / won't start...electrical issue!

megd said:

Wondered if anyone could help diagnose an L322 electrical issue...

All was well with my RR L322 3.6 TDV8, but then last weekend it started fine but I realised there was electrical issues, as the indicators weren't working at all - or hazards either. Anyway, was in a rush so switched cars and left it - when I came home few hours later the hazards were doing a slow flash (even tho it was sitting on driveway, unlocked, no key in). (!)

I disconnected the battery then, but when I went to start it next day it wouldn't start. So trickle charged the battery and did an ECU reset (i.e. touched negative to positive whilst disconnect from battery). Battery is now fully charged, and when first reconnected electrics all seem ok - ignition comes on, radio, blowers etc.....BUT, when you go to start it the entire car shuts down, without even turning-over. It's almost like it trips the entire thing electronically. After that, once you turn key off it won't even turn ignition back on again...nothing. If I disconnect then reconnect battery again then same thiing - ignition only is fine, but won't turnover and trips-out again when I try.

I have checked some of the fuses (can't actually find starter-motor specific fuse!?), but any ideas what the issue could be - or how I can fix it??

All help much appreciated! Cheers.

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backinblack said:

OP not been on since 9th June so must be fixed by now

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kds said:

Only thing that springs to mind is ignition switch, not unheard of for them to fail.

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• I decided to send it to local garage for initial check and they thought the starting issue was the key battery being low (it was only fault showing in diagnostics apparently). The second key worked and so I did the elastic-band trick to charge the first, and then it SEEMED to be solved....for about 48hrs!!
• Then lights started playing up again, albeit no starting issues this time. It basically was looking like a fairground when running - headlights & rear lights blinking, indicators & hazards working/not working sporadically, or going fast/slow. And when car turned-off and locked the rear lights remained ON the entire time. Argh!!
• Anyway, it's back in again now to local auto-electrician to take a look. They initially think it might be the LCM (seems logical to me) but want to take another look. If it is then I think I'll need a replacement, although I see you can find second-hand unit from ebay or scrap. Although this place don't sound keen on replacing it themselves....so I might be on the hunt for a RR/LR experienced electrican near Edinburgh if anyone can recommend??

megd said:

Hi all - thanks for your replies and sorry for delay updating. Thought I had alerts switched on but weren't coming through.
Cheers for all your input tho - update is:

• I decided to send it to local garage for initial check and they thought the starting issue was the key battery being low (it was only fault showing in diagnostics apparently). The second key worked and so I did the elastic-band trick to charge the first, and then it SEEMED to be solved....for about 48hrs!!
• Then lights started playing up again, albeit no starting issues this time. It basically was looking like a fairground when running - headlights & rear lights blinking, indicators & hazards working/not working sporadically, or going fast/slow. And when car turned-off and locked the rear lights remained ON the entire time. Argh!!
• Anyway, it's back in again now to local auto-electrician to take a look. They initially think it might be the LCM (seems logical to me) but want to take another look. If it is then I think I'll need a replacement, although I see you can find second-hand unit from ebay or scrap. Although this place don't sound keen on replacing it themselves....so I might be on the hunt for a RR/LR experienced electrican near Edinburgh if anyone can recommend??

So afraid no complete answer as yet....but I will update again when I get to the bottom of it all. Or if anyone has other ideas please do let me know.

And they say L322s have some electrical issues huh!

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backinblack said:

LCM needs to be the correct one for the car depending on the lights i.e. LED, HiD etc. If you put a non LED version in one with LED's the lights will flash every so often when the LCM performs the bulb test although the test can be switched off with the right diags (I had this on my tail lights). The LCM also holds a backup of the mileage so if you get a used one with a higher mileage you will need to correct it quickly before the car changes to the higher mileage.

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megd said:

Thanks @backinblack - all good to know so cheers. Sounds like I need a specialist to do a LCM switch then. Found this garage in Edinburgh who I was going to speak to - seems others on the forum have good reports so hoping they’ll be able to help.
https://www.whitesautoservices.com/
White's Auto Services
2 Washington Lane, Dalry, Edinburgh EH11 2HA

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1. the hose which runs down from the corner of the wiper water collection tray goes all the way behind the wheel arch. At the bottom there seems to be a clip to ensure it exits downwards onto the wheel arch liner, but mine was not in the clip and therefore all water collected by the wipers was pouring straight onto an electrical box (not sure what the box is - any ideas?). So I've now put this back so water flows downwards properly. [Pic 1 & 2 below]
2. tracing upwards, I realised that the grommet by the wiper mechanism on that same side was very loose and I think the hose was leaking slightly at the very top too. [Pic 3] When tested this meant water was pouring right down over all the wires underneath - and of course that's exactly where the loom comes in/out to meet the Light Check Module (LCM)! I've now glued the stuck the grommet back [Pic 4] and sealed all around the top of the hose, so water poured in now flows right through.