Replaced the engine in my 2011 due to timing chain failure and now I have a no crank condition. When I press the start button the ignition will come on sometimes for 1 second then shuts off, sometimes it just stays on but still no crank.

I've metered out all of the fuses and verified they are ok, double checked all of my engine wiring harness connectors and they're all connected. I'm aware of two grounds for the engine, one attached to the oil pan and one attached to the rh cylinder head. Both of those have been cleaned and checked out fine.

I'm not really sure where the no crank is coming from and I'm stumped at this point. If I put power to the starter the engine will crank but no start. I do still have the front suspension and steering rack disconnected, not sure if that matters?

Any help would be appreciated!

Are your brakes all bled out properly?

When the car wants your foot on the brakes it’s looking for brake pressure, not just the brake switch to be activated so if you’ve not bled the brakes and have zero brake pressure you’ll see the exact same symptoms you’re describing.

Try pushing much harder on the brake pedal and then cranking and see what happens.

Did you use the wiring loom from your original engine or the replacement engine? It could be the new loom is different and not compatible with your car.

Have you checked the connections to the starter motor? If you short out or install a piece of wire with a switch on it between the terminals on the starter does the engine crank then?

There’s so many variables when a car has had this much work done to it unfortunately.

David. 2002 4.6 Vogue SE - Alveston Red with Lightstone Leather
2012 Range Rover 5.0 SC Autobiography in Indus Silver with Jet/Ivory Interior
2012 Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography in Baltic Blue with Sand Interior
2013 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Black Edition in Santorini Black with Ebony Interior

Last edited by dhallworth on 6th May 2025 2:34pm. Edited 1 time in total

I didn't disconnect the braking system, but I'll try pumping up the brakes to see if that helps. Thanks!

No worries, just edited my original post with a few other things too. 2002 4.6 Vogue SE - Alveston Red with Lightstone Leather
2012 Range Rover 5.0 SC Autobiography in Indus Silver with Jet/Ivory Interior
2012 Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography in Baltic Blue with Sand Interior
2013 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Black Edition in Santorini Black with Ebony Interior

Gotcha I see the edits. I used the wiring harness from the original engine and the engine does crank if I apply 12v to the starter signal wire but still does not start.

dhallworth you're my hero, I've moved on to a crank no start now. That's way easier to investigate.

Brilliant, happy to help.

Check you’ve got the crankshaft sensor plugged in if it’s doing crank no start.

If you’ve got diagnostics you’ll also be able to see if the ECU can see the engine spinning over by monitoring the rpm in live data.

David. 2002 4.6 Vogue SE - Alveston Red with Lightstone Leather
2012 Range Rover 5.0 SC Autobiography in Indus Silver with Jet/Ivory Interior
2012 Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography in Baltic Blue with Sand Interior
2013 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Black Edition in Santorini Black with Ebony Interior

It starts on starting fluid, I need to investigate the fuel system.

Well it kinda starts now but I didn't do anything different from before. Long crank, runs for a second or so then dies. I can rev it up just fine while it's running but it always bogs out after a second or two. The only codes I'm seeing are related to the ride height sensors which aren't hooked up. My obd scanner shows ~2100 psi of fuel rail pressure, drops into the ~2050 range while cranking and running.

That sounds very low for fuel pressure. I'll need to check mine at some point to be sure though. If the fuel pressure isn't building pressure properly then it won't try and fire.

Are you using the fuel pumps and injectors from the donor engine? I wonder if there's an injector that's stuck open or a knackered fuel pump causing it to not build pressure properly.

Surprised you don't have a low fuel pressure code though.

David. 2002 4.6 Vogue SE - Alveston Red with Lightstone Leather
2012 Range Rover 5.0 SC Autobiography in Indus Silver with Jet/Ivory Interior
2012 Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography in Baltic Blue with Sand Interior
2013 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Black Edition in Santorini Black with Ebony Interior

Update - looks like your pressures are about right when cranking going by this thread here:

https://www.jaginfo.org/threads/aj133-hpfp.114132/ 2002 4.6 Vogue SE - Alveston Red with Lightstone Leather
2012 Range Rover 5.0 SC Autobiography in Indus Silver with Jet/Ivory Interior
2012 Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography in Baltic Blue with Sand Interior
2013 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Black Edition in Santorini Black with Ebony Interior

Turns out this is one of those cars where you need to have the airbox fully installed for it to run

So the gist of it is: Put it at least most of the way back together and step on the brakes hard.

Thanks dhallworth!

Ahh, did you not have the MAF sensors connected? That would explain it!

Is she running well now?

David. 2002 4.6 Vogue SE - Alveston Red with Lightstone Leather
2012 Range Rover 5.0 SC Autobiography in Indus Silver with Jet/Ivory Interior
2012 Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography in Baltic Blue with Sand Interior
2013 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Black Edition in Santorini Black with Ebony Interior

The sensors were plugged in, but I didn't have the center airbox installed and hooked up to the throttle body. Running all good now! Time to reinstall everything and take it out on the road for the first time.