Yesterday went shopping with the FF. On returning to the car it would not start and in the end had to get recovery out.

The battery is charged and showing 12.4V. When I put the key in the ignition everything lights up as normal and everything plays - Nav, ICE etc. however when I try to start the key will not turn beyond position II and there is no cranking.

When the key is inserted the wheel reach motor comes into play and the clicking of the steering lock can be heard. The steering unlocks (fortunately as I don't know how we could have got it onto the recovery vehicle otherwise) and neutral can be selected.

As said, when I try to crank the engine there is no reaction and the dash lights stay at full brightness rather than dimming if the battery was being overloaded.

I have run diagnostics and, other than some faults which are not relevant, eg. Telephone , the only fault showing is "suspension inactive" which is probably the result of the recovery and, I believe only requires resetting the sensor by turning lock to lock.

I have tried the hard reset by disconnecting the battery and touching the ends of the leads as prescribed. The only difference is that when the battery was reconnected the suspension compressor ran audibly for a little while but, again, I put that down to the reservoir emptying whilst the suspension was being "jiggled" about on the recovery vehicle. It did not run for any length of time.

The gear lever moves normally without any excess effort required. I am inclining towards a defective ignition switch but before that I would welcome any ideas. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

Last edited by Weegie on 6th Jan 2017 10:14am. Edited 1 time in total

Would have said starter motor or starter solenoid but if you can't turn the key to the start position key and/or ignition lock/switch must be suspect as you have already thought?? Mine was a blue one!

Thanks, Andy. Tried everything else so have ordered a switch from Dan. Hopefully that will do it.

As an aside, how often do you come over or are you here full time? John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

Hello John
Hope that cures it.
We are currently over about every six weeks, Coming over next weekend, I get good flights with Ryanair out of East Mids or Manchester. Still part of the working classes but looking at being in a position to do couple of months there couple here, not sure want to be there full time as sometimes find it bit to quiet but then we are very rural.I assume you have made the move?
ta
Andy Mine was a blue one!

PS
see you are not a million miles away from us. Mine was a blue one!

I had this a while back and it turned out to be the ignition lock ECU. There is a thread about it and a link to a pssible solution here:
http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic39170....n+key+turn 2011 Vogue TDV8 4.4
1992 Mazda Mx5

Andy, Just down the road Been here full time for 13 years.

Scuddriver,
My understanding is that that controls the steering lock. The steering is unlocking without any problem. I did the fuse 18 removal and replace just to check but it wasn't apparently the problem. Thinking about it, about a week before, I tried to start the car and I got the key not turning symptoms but it started after a couple of tries. I didn't think too much of it at the time but, on reflection, it was probably a warning.  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

Turned out to be the ignition switch right enough. Replaced and now running. Just got to put the centre console back .

Thanks Dan for speedy delivery of the switch.  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

There has been a thread on AULRO in which the switch was removed, contacts cleaned with a good result. Pictures to show how..https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l322-range-rove...tch-2.html 2007 TDV8 VSE
2003 TD6 gone.
2002 P38a gone
1999 P38a gone
1997 p38a gone
1993 VSE gone
1992 VSE gone
1966 Series 2a with V8 conversion gone

Interesting thread. Will keep the old switch and try cleaning the contacts in case of future need. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold