Thread: Static Electricity and Puma Immobilised !

Finally getting around to post a heads up about Wallan, but unsurprisingly I'm not the first.
This was only the 2nd time I had fuelled up (2010 130) a couple of months back.
Fully loaded with the Champ on the trailer and motor would not turn over. Read the book and found only the radio access code in the folder, which does not work on the immobiliser! Could not open the fob to replace battery due to swearing fit.


Told the BP attendant that we would be blocking the driveway for a while, he just shrugged and carried on.
RACV turned up, wanted to know if we had opened the fob ( no, 'cause I @#!*& couldn't), hooked up and towed us around the side and started it for me. Lots more swearing, but of the very relieved nature.


For the record, most done in one day was 3 (Last Christmas), if not towing usually he just rolls you back a couple of lengths, DON'T remove the battery from the fob, he says it's something in the awning/roof as has been mentioned in earlier posts, but I guess that's because we've all met the same guy (thankfully)
Blacklocks Wodonga (were we purchased) were unable to supply the access code, nor was the service dept. remotely interested in the failure or cure.
Blacklocks Albury (Thanks Josh at the service desk) was able to get the code eventually, although there was some issues with the VIN number not being on the Land Rover computer.
We had stopped at Wallan Southbound every trip to Melbourne since it was built, now have adjusted our plans accordingly.
Hats off and 3 cheers to the RACV man in Wallan!
Rich.

My 2013 Defender failed to start after refuelling at Gundagai. After filling up I tried to start the car. First turn of the key it turned over but would not start. Second turn, only just turned over then third turn absolutely nothing. I knew it wasn't the battery and was aware or the RFI problem. Gave the car a bit of a shove to move it a few metres and luckily it started.

Last month at West Wyalong I parked next the RSL (or similar). I tried to lock the Defender and it would not lock. After 20 presses of the fob button it finally locked. Problem was it then would not unlock! It was dark so I could not see much. I suddenly thought to myself - are there any microwave or transmitter towers nearby? Went for a short wander and wouldn't you know it, there was this dirty great tower with all sorts of stuff hanging off it. That stupid RFI problem again. I then put the fob up against the glass at the A pillar where the aerial for the security device is and suddenly I had full operation of the system again. I moved the car away from the tower and have not had a problem since.

So the take home message from this rant is don't park near big towers with lots of electronic junk hanging off them or be aware that the Defender security system is sensitive to such RF sources as well.


For any remote outback trip I would be tempted to disarm the security system just in case. I assume this can be done with a 2013 model?

Hi,
recently I parked outside a cafe in Nyngan and similar problem (MY13 130) mine would not lock then did but then would not unlock so used the key in the door then alarm went off then stopped that by pressing unlock button and then car would not start, eventually it did but only on second turn of the key. This happened again next day but seems fine since, had also just had dealer replace fob battery the previous week as they say to do this every 12 months after ringing dealer to express my feelings. Have been told to take spare keys with me in future, but dealer also said to take car back top service to get fob etc checked out. So on the trip i was on with ACT club when we camped at Menindee I thought well might as well get it checked to went in to Broken Hill as only an hour away BUT guess what --no dealer there in a major outback centre (really what hope to LR have of reclaiming their market with so few dealers away from coastal cities, so many recalls across the JLR range???). Of course I should have checked if a dealer there so my fault but !!!!. By the way when I bought the car new I asked my dealer for the EKA code and was clearly told they do not have them from my car vintage any more, neither radio codes etc--that was what they said.

I also have been told it was the wi-fi frequency that the cafe was using, and that at some servos, particularly BP that it is the frequency they use for transmitting from the pumps to the pay station in the building with the newer pumps--please don't bag me if I am wrong--I have no idea it is just that another keen LR owner told me--who knows?

Bottom line is that this key issue is not what one expects when paying over $50 or $60K for a car.

Alan,
That is one big downside to Land Rover ownership and that is dealer support. There are a few more popping up in the major cities but can be a bit few and far between in country areas.


Unfortunately, spare keys won't help if the cause of the problem is interference.


I too had the alarm go off when I tried to open the door manually. Just a tad embarrassing as they really make a racket when the do their thing!


I'm going to check with my dealer regarding the EKA.

Bunnings black spot wreaks havoc with car locks

More bizarre interference problems! I wonder if this one would affect the Defender too? Someone should go test it.