Land Rover Repair: FREELANDER STARTING PROBLEMS, crankshaft sensor, inertia switch

Question
As per. a few others on this site ,I also have had ignition
problems on my 1999 Freelander its done 138,000 miles but just sits there after ignition, it will start but only after a while is there any quick fixes out there ...

                         Cheers Kevin

Answer
Hi Kevin,

could a number of things: starter (including solenoid), fuel pump relay, inertia fuel cut-off switch, one of several sensors (MAF, TSP, crankshaft sensor) and even the immobilisation ECU (security).

Here's the sequence for engine starting:

When the ignition switch is in position II a power feed is connected from the ignition switch to the ECM relay and the ECM. The ECM then initiates 'wake up' routines and nergises the main and fuel pump relays. When the engine cranks, provided a valid mobilisation signal is received from the immobilisation ECU, the ECM initiates throttle control, fuelling and ignition to start and maintain control of the engine as necessary to meet driver demand.

If no mobilisation code is received from the immobilisation ECU, or the code is invalid, the ECM inhibits fuel injection and ignition to prevent the engine from starting.

The electrical circuit from the fuel pump relay to the fuel pump is routed through the fuel cut-off inertia switch, located below the E-box in the engine compartment. In the event of a collision the switch breaks the circuit to prevent further fuel being delivered to the engine. The switch is reset by pressing down the centre of the rubber cover on the top of the switch.

During the start sequence, the ECM also illuminates the MIL, as a bulb check. While the ignition switch is in position II the MIL is continuously illuminated. The MIL is extinguished when the ignition switch turns to position III and the engine starts.

Check fuses #6 & #35 in passenger fusebox.  

Other than that, you'll have to determine if your alarm system is active or passive, starter working, does spark exist during cranking and is the fuel pump working.  Spark, fuel pressure and cylinder pressure testing from that point on...

Best of luck,

JohnMc