P38A Engine Disabled

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T

tank93

Active Member
Posts
154
1997 Gems 4.0.

So I go to the car, press the remote which unlocks the car, get in the car put the key into the ignition and turn the key expecting the engine to start and all I get is beep beep Engine Disabled Press Remote showing on the IPK. Press the remote with the key in the ignition and she starts. Surely it cannot be right that I have to do this, if I unlock the car with the remote I should be able to start the engine without the engine disabled message showing, any ideas what could be causing this?

Thanks
 
Last edited:
tank93 said:
1997 Gems 4.0.

So I go to the car, press the remote which unlocks the car, get in the car put the key into the ignition and turn the key expecting the engine to start. However for some reason I always have to press the remote again whilst the key is in the ignition to be able to start the engine, surely this isnt right is it, any ideas what could be causing this?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Possibly a drivers door latch problem with the CDL micro switch.
 
Datatek said:
Possibly a drivers door latch problem with the CDL micro switch.
Click to expand...

I really hope not as both the drivers and passenger latches have been replaced in the past month (it was doing it before the latches were replaced)
 
Cloned key? RF receiver plugged in? The GEMS has a rolling code that is incremented each time the key is used. If the codes go out of whack it won't like it.
 
The passive immobilisation coil is not generating a valid signal from the fob when the key is inserted and sending it to the BECM. Is your RF receiver aerial disconnected?
 
wammers said:
The passive immobilisation coil is not generating a valid signal from the fob when the key is inserted and sending it to the BECM. Is your RF receiver aerial disconnected?
Click to expand...

I have checked the RF receiver in the rear quarter panel area this morning and its all connected so possibly a dodgy ignition switch? I can always start the engine so I am never left stranded but its a pain getting in the car turning the key and getting engine disabled press remote all the time so I would rather sort the problem if possible.

Thank you for everyone suggestions/help, I appreciate it
 
From RAVE.

Passive Immobilisation Coil (Z270)
A magnetic field is generated by the passive
Immobilisation Coil (Z270) contained in the steering
column. This field excites a receiving coil in the
handset causing it to transmit a mobilisation signal to
the BeCM. If the BeCM does not receive this signal
from the handset, the vehicle will remain
immobilised.

It is either a problem with the immobilisation coil in the ignition switch or the coil in the fob.
 
How long have you had the car ??? .is it in gear???.. are the batteries in fob new ???? ..is the access cover on fob for batteries closed & sealed properly with rubber o ring in place ????.. how long has this been going on ??? , does the ignition coil ( green light ) light up with key in ignition turned to position 2 ????? , last question , has you or neighbours bought say " a wi fi door bell " or similar recently cos this would interfere with your r.f. receiver " loss of sync". does it happen when your elsewhere or just at home ?? cheers mozz
 
wammers said:
From RAVE.

Passive Immobilisation Coil (Z270)
A magnetic field is generated by the passive
Immobilisation Coil (Z270) contained in the steering
column. This field excites a receiving coil in the
handset causing it to transmit a mobilisation signal to
the BeCM. If the BeCM does not receive this signal
from the handset, the vehicle will remain
immobilised.

It is either a problem with the immobilisation coil in the ignition switch or the coil in the fob.
Click to expand...

Thank you for this information, I would tend to lean more on the side of the coil being defective rather than the remote handset(s), as I have two working handsets and this problem occurs with both of them, unless I am really unlucky and both handsets are dodgy!
 
mozz smith said:
How long have you had the car ??? .is it in gear???.. are the batteries in fob new ???? ..is the access cover on fob for batteries closed & sealed properly with rubber o ring in place ????.. how long has this been going on ??? , does the ignition coil ( green light ) light up with key in ignition turned to position 2 ????? , last question , has you or neighbours bought say " a wi fi door bell " or similar recently cos this would interfere with your r.f. receiver " loss of sync". does it happen when your elsewhere or just at home ?? cheers mozz
Click to expand...

I have had the car for a number of years, problem happens regardless of whether the gear is in P or N. Problem has been there as long as I can remember, I thought it was normal until a friend of mine pointed out that his P38 Range Rover doesnt say engine disabled everytime you go to start the engine. Fob batteries are not brand new but this problem happens with both fobs, if the batteries were knackered I would have thought the handsets wouldn't work at all but they both unlock/lock the vehicle. However I will try new batteries just on the off chance that works. Problem happens where ever the car is, so happens at home, at work etc. Somebody did mention possible interference so I drove into the middle of the countryside and tested and the problem still happened. Not sure about the green light but I will definitely check this later. Cheers for your input.
 
wammers said:
From RAVE.

Passive Immobilisation Coil (Z270)
A magnetic field is generated by the passive
Immobilisation Coil (Z270) contained in the steering
column. This field excites a receiving coil in the
handset causing it to transmit a mobilisation signal to
the BeCM. If the BeCM does not receive this signal
from the handset, the vehicle will remain
immobilised.

It is either a problem with the immobilisation coil in the ignition switch or the coil in the fob.
Click to expand...
I have a FOB with a dead coil so that could certainly be the problem.
I wonder if the LED flashes when the key is put in the ignition. if it does not, it's worth looking at the connector for the passive coil. The oscillator for the coil is part of the coil assembly itself and as with anything electronic it has the potential to fail. An oscilloscope is needed to check it or a known to be working FOB to check if the FOB LED flashes.
 
Datatek said:
I have a FOB with a dead coil so that could certainly be the problem.
I wonder if the LED flashes when the key is put in the ignition. if it does not, it's worth looking at the connector for the passive coil. The oscillator for the coil is part of the coil assembly itself and as with anything electronic it has the potential to fail. An oscilloscope is needed to check it or a known to be working FOB to check if the FOB LED flashes.
Click to expand...

I would think the passive coil is the problem. He says he has two fobs neither of which function when inserted. I would think it highly unlikely that both fobs would be defective. Not impossible but unlikely.
 
wammers said:
I would think the passive coil is the problem. He says he has two fobs neither of which function when inserted. I would think it highly unlikely that both fobs would be defective. Not impossible but unlikely.
Click to expand...
I agree. Worst case could be the BECM not switching the passive coil on when the car is unlocked but corroded connectors are more likely.
 
I don't have "Engine Disabled" and neither of my fob's LED's light when inserted or turned to P1/P2.
But then, I did turn Passive Immobilisation "OFF" because it is nothing but a pain in the proverbial and I kept getting "press a key" message just like the OP.
If the thing annoys him I would just turn passive-immobilisation off. It has worked well for me.
 
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