D3 wont start - Possible Immobilizer issue

[Rmad12]

Hey Everyone

I am writing on behalf of my mother who has had her Disco 3 recently refuse to start ( after ongoing start issues, most likely regarding the immobiliser)

she's owned this car for 12 years and apart from this issue is in great condition

i've searched the forums but only seem to find some advice regarding D1 and D2s immobiliser problems

Reason i believe its immobiliser, is flashing red light on dash was like it wasn't being unlocked correctly (replaced authentic key fob and changed battery, problem remained)

my questions are , and sorry there are a few

can it be fixed?
How can it be Fixed?
Who can fix it?
How much is it going to cost?
Can you recommend anyone?

Located eastern suburbs melbourne

much appreciated for any replies as i'm not sure who else to ask ( local mechanic couldn't find anything wrong when the issue was intermittent , now its dead)

Regards
Richard

Model Specs
Land rover Disco 3 s
Auto , Deseil 2.7
180,000km

[loanrangie]

By dead do you mean just flat battery dead ? I know you said eastern burbs but where abouts, i have a diagnostic tool and may be able read it for you/her.

[DiscoMick]

There could be a switch on the auto to ensure it won't start unless in park. Sometimes these fail and prevent starting at any time. Any auto electrician should be able to fix it.

[Rmad12]

sorry ill be more specific, Engine won't try to turn over, everything else will work but the immobiliser light keeps flashing like the car is still locked

lights and dash turn on , but wont crank

thought it was a battery , changed that last month

thought it might be the Key , Bought a genuine replacement

located surrey Hills



By dead do you mean just flat battery dead ? I know you said eastern burbs but whereabouts, i have a diagnostic tool and may be able read it for you/her.

[DieselLSE]

The closest reliable repairer would be Ritters in Burwood (116 Highbury Rd). Firstly, at least call them for advice. Presumably the car has been serviced by someone who knows what they're doing. Can't they help?

[Bulletman]

Have you tried moving the gear lever ? possible its not engaged in Park and the car wont start if its not in park or neutral.

Bulletman

[101RRS]

thought it might be the Key , Bought a genuine replacement

located surrey Hills

Has that been keyed (coded) to the car? To me that is the obvious fault - the car is not registering the key fob signal and keeping the immobilizer on.

[shanegtr]

With the ignition key to the on position do the hazard lights come on? They wont be on the dash but will be on outside. If so it could be a canbus issue

[ian4002000]

sounds like it needs a hard reset. It is worth a try.
remove the battery terminals from the battery ( Both ) and join them together for a while. half hour is good and hour is better.
Then reinstall terminals and pray all will be well.
Let us know if this works please

Ian
Bittern

[101RRS]

remove the battery terminals from the battery ( Both ) and join them together for a while. half hour is good and hour is better.


Just touching them momentarily is enough to drain any stored voltages after the car has been turned off.

[sierrafery]

If you can lock/unlock with the fob and the central locking reacts to it the problem is with the transponder coil's circuit as the remobilisation signal is not generated, check fuse 40P in the CJB maybe you are lucky, read the attachment to understand how it works

[DiscoDB]

If you can lock/unlock with the fob and the central locking reacts to it the problem is with the transponder coil's circuit as the remobilisation signal is not generated, check fuse 40P in the CJB maybe you are lucky, read the attachment to understand how it works

Hey Fery - isn’t it time you got yourself a TDV6 D3 as a nice little project on the side. We could do with your electronic wizardry to help solve the D3’s electrical gremlins. [emoji3]

[Bulletman]

Has that been keyed (coded) to the car? To me that is the obvious fault - the car is not registering the key fob signal and keeping the immobilizer on.

I think you may be onto it Garry , I remember doing the exact same thing when I bought a replacement key and fob , even after playing with Nanocom to program the new key I managed to un-program my spare key and the same symptoms as described by the OP when I tried it . I never tried to open the car s it was already unlocked so I am not sure if that side of the alarm system works when the key wont but I think it does.... very happy to be corrected on that.

Bulletman

[101RRS]

While we talking about coding the key - it is actually the opposite as the car is coded to the key chip - the little chip in the fob is like a dog identity chip and the reader is in the steering column (note this is not the door locking/system which is different again).

The chip has a unique code and the car systems need to be programmed to detect it when the key is in the ignition. Tools like the gap tool can do this.

If the OP just got a new key fob, the door opening system may be working but the car may not have been coded to receive the immobiliser chip signal so is remaining immobilised.

I dont believe in coincidences - new fob and now the immobiliser is not switching off - the link is there and the first place to look.

Garry

[ian4002000]

Just touching them momentarily is enough to drain any stored voltages after the car has been turned off.

I understand that a short period should be plenty, but .... we had a D4 stuck in the mountains above Moe for 36 hours, that wouldn't recognise its key fob. I am sure they tried shorter periods but it did finally recognise the key fob after an hour of no power.

Ian
Bittern

[INter674]

I understand that a short period should be plenty, but .... we had a D4 stuck in the mountains above Moe for 36 hours, that wouldn't recognise its key fob. I am sure they tried shorter periods but it did finally recognise the key fob after an hour of no power.

Ian
Bittern

B geez that's a worry..did they find out why it did that??

[ian4002000]

B geez that's a worry..did they find out why it did that??

It was a bit busy at the time but a Defender had slipped down a hill and hit the rear of the D4. The D4 was in park and handbrake on at the time.

They were unable to move the D4 until the keyfob would work again.

Some people thought the rear park sensors were damaged but there was no fault found.

It wasn't a good weekend for anybody on that trip.

Ian
Bittern