300tdi hazards on, won't start.

**Dougal** · 2nd November 2014, 09:44 AM

My 300tdi RRC is on strike. It's sitting in the driveway with it's hazard lights on a slow blink and not cranking.

I'm getting two hits on searches. One is the alarm/immobiliser switch and the other is the inertia switch.
It seems the alarm/immobiliser side doesn't use the hazard lights and should put up an immobiliser light on the dash. So it's likely not that one.

Does anyone know more about the inertia switch and how to reset it? It's got a broken plunger switch on the firewall (engine side) but it's down and it hasn't moved in months. The vehicle had been sitting without a battery, refit the battery and problem started.

This setup should be the same as mid to late 90's 300tdi disco.

**Dougal** · 2nd November 2014, 10:20 AM

I've managed to fix it. After a lot of shagging around.

I removed the reset switch, found it was stuck down which is contacts open.
I pushed a piece of wire up the hole underneath and it sprung up to contacts closed. A multimeter showed the switch was indeed working.

Step 0. Start singing or humming "Rule Britannia"
Step 1. Disconnect battery.
Step 2. Reconnect battery and leave the key off. Observe hazards still flashing with key off.
Step 4. Press reset button. Hazards stop.
Step 5. Starts normally.

If you try to start it before the reset button is pressed then you need to disconnect the battery again.

I have no idea what triggered this. I did have a branch from a tree possibly land on it yesterday. But the branch was light and found lying beside the vehicle, no damage. The vehicle also had no battery in it when the branch fell.
I have the original owners manual here. It has nothing about this. Only a reference to a petrol engine only fuel cut switch.

**Robmacca** · 2nd November 2014, 10:31 AM

Sorry for my lack of knowledge here, but where's the reset button located?

rob

**Dougal** · 2nd November 2014, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Robmacca

Sorry for my lack of knowledge here, but where's the reset button located?

rob

On mine it's in the engine bay just below the left hand bonnet hinge. Just behind the washer bottle.

**donh54** · 2nd November 2014, 11:59 AM

Something must have triggered it. In my 98 Freelander diesel there's a similar switch. I was told that in the event of a rollover, or sufficient impact, the switch shuts off fuel, unlocks the doors and activates the hazard lights. Never tried it out though

Sent from my Nexus 7 using AULRO mobile app

**Dougal** · 2nd November 2014, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by donh54

Something must have triggered it. In my 98 Freelander diesel there's a similar switch. I was told that in the event of a rollover, or sufficient impact, the switch shuts off fuel, unlocks the doors and activates the hazard lights. Never tried it out though

Sent from my Nexus 7 using AULRO mobile app

I'm wondering if power surges could do it?

**Pierre** · 4th November 2014, 06:15 PM

Wouldn't think so... it's mechanical in nature.

Pete

**Dougal** · 4th November 2014, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Pierre

Wouldn't think so... it's mechanical in nature.

Pete

How hard are they to trigger? Would a falling tree branch do it?

**Reads90** · 4th November 2014, 07:54 PM

Try the spade connector on the starter motor
The spade on mine was rusty and need a rub and then connected and worked ok

**Dougal** · 5th November 2014, 05:24 AM

Originally Posted by Reads90

Try the spade connector on the starter motor
The spade on mine was rusty and need a rub and then connected and worked ok

That could work for a normal no crank condition. But this was immobilised and flashing.
It's sorted now.

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