Thread: Inertia Switch

Hi, never had the issue to be honest,

But if I did for no reason as your experiencing, I would probably just replace the switch and see if that sorts it out. It's £13 here in the UK, so about $30 AUD.
part number WQT100030L

Originally Posted by lro11

Has anyone had the embarrassment of getting into their disco turning the key and finding out the bloody thing won't start, then having to get out to lift the bonnet and reset the inertia switch? I have had this problem from when the car was new. It happens about twice a year for no reason.

what is it?? what does it do.... im curious as i have a disco1. never had the prob but may have in the future... where is it located under the bonnet... thanks..

its your vehicles way of telling you that you need to check the things under the hood.

Yes have had this numerous times, first occasion the switch wasn't mounted solid enough causing it too stop the car every time i'd hit a bump, this was a pain at the time as we were doing the Simpson Desert at the timeonce they start activating a lot, they tend to get faulty and will activate for no reason, as a temporary fix i shoved a piece of rag under the rubber cover, this held the switch mechanism down

I replaced the switch when we got home, the replacement switch suffered from acid corrosion, after i boiled my auxillary battery and acid spilled onto the switch.

Check that the screws holding it to the firewall are tight, if they are, replace the switch, they are cheap enough, also check the wire and connection.

I now carry a spare

Baz.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

its your vehicles way of telling you that you need to check the things under the hood.

I always thought it was the cars way of telling you that you had hit something

Ok more information required here

1. this is a disco 2
2. switch replaced under warranty
3. no Dave you know how fussy I am
4. no bump required to set it off.
If you simulate an accident (rubber hammer tap to the switch) hazard lights come on as you would expect. This is totally different, when this happens no hazard lights and the switch is different to reset, that it is a half movement to reset. Hard to explain unless you have had both situations happen you will know what I mean.

Originally Posted by glenn82

what is it?? what does it do.... im curious as i have a disco1. never had the prob but may have in the future... where is it located under the bonnet... thanks..

The inertia switch cuts off the fuel supply, unlocks the car and switches on the hazard lights - it's there to reduce the incidence of fire (fuel leakage) in the case of an accident. If you hit a (very) big pothole it can activate the inertia switch. For those with auxilliary batteries, beware when removing/replacing or installing a tray - if you accidentally bump the switch the vehicle won't start for as the fuel supply is cut off.

Cheers,

Franz

so in the real world where we used to be responsible for our own actions,
why do we need this switch?
or did i miss something.
sure i dig the idea of it stopping the thing burning while there may an occupant, and tell others to drive past or be involved in a long procrastinated court battle,
but do we need it?