Has this problem been curred with software update? Is there anyway of checking if latest updates have been installed in my Fl2? I just had this problem after jumping in & pressing start button as soon key went in. Ejected key then had another go a bit slower and started OK, but trip & MPG computer reset back to 0. Started OK several times since, but just a bit worried that it will let me down. Any other tips for starting if problem comes back?

sounds to be the quickness you pressed the start button, i have always found it doesn't like it quick

Without linking the car up to the PC, there is no way of finding out the SW number Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Geo,

Slow starting and then finding the trip display reset to zero was the start of my problems....(see other posts)...so would suggest you get it to the dealers to have a shuffti  Freelander 2.2e HSE , Privacy, Fully debadged, 19" Chrome SHadow alloys

BFGLR2Man wrote:

Geo,

Slow starting and then finding the trip display reset to zero was the start of my problems....(see other posts)...so would suggest you get it to the dealers to have a shuffti

Mine sometimes does not run the starter when I press the start button but this is always corrected by releasing and pressing the clutch a second time. It is as if I was already pressing the clutch when I put the key in so that the car did not "see" me press the pedal. It has always started second time.

Never had a problem with the trip resetting.

The procedure outlined in the post above can be a good one. An expert from LR Experience told me that, in cold weather, you should press the start button WITHOUT pressing the clutch (or brake) so that the system check runs and that tells the car things like temperature so it knows to engage glow plugs when you do press the starter - hence a faster start. Personally I have not noticed any reluctance to fire on even the coldest day of the winter. Gone... 2013 XS TD4 Manual Firenze Red
Gone... 2008 (09MY) XS Td4 Manual Stornaway Grey
Prior... 2003 G4 Discovery 2, 1998 Disco 1 and 1997 Disco 1 Company car before that
Also gone in Nov'13, after 7.5 yrs, to new owners with time for more TLC - 1980 Series III 88
Current 2015 Discovery Sport HSE 2.0

I originally posted on this thread in April 2008. My car still has the same intermittent non-starting problem, though reported to the dealer quite often.

When the starter button is pressed there is a very loud whirring scream, which makes people look round, and is embarrasing, and it lasts as long as you hold the start button in. It has always been exactly the same problem (never has it tried to turn over the engine, and never has there been 'nothing').

They decided to replace the starter motor a few weeks ago after a technician finally had the same experience. This appeared to have fixed the problem. However, it returned 10 days ago and then again 5 days ago. The had the car in from Friday until today and have supposedly checked the connections and wiring - but found nothing amiss. I decided to take the car off of them today, as they were getting nowhere and could not reproduce the fault this time.

90% of the time, she fires up perfectly, and it does not matter whether the car is warmed-up or cold, or whether I press the brake pedal and start button, or do as some suggest and, press the start button to get the ignition lit -up and system checks done, and then press brake and starter. It seems a totally random fault.

Any suggestions as to what could be causing this, as it appears to be different to 'other' peoples' starting woes? Was GS TD4 Auto, Privacy, Santorini with Tundra & Alpaca, Cold Climate Pack. Traded for Discovery Sport HSE Auto.

Not entirely sure, I guess my first thought would be that it would be the starter motor not engaging with the flywheel, and is just spinning freely. This causes a very loud whirring noise, and the starter has no resistance, and goes into overdrive.

Luckily, I've never had to deal with a problem like this, but my thought would be (presuming that your warranty is nearing the end) that you keep on at the dealer (or possibly use a second dealer) until it's fixed. Have you been able to re-produce the problem? Does it happen that if you stop and restart the car a few times it'll eventually happen?

I'd be tempted though to hand the car over to them, ensuring you get an equivalent courtesy car, and not take it back until they are happy. They should be replacing any bits to do with the ignition, until the problem goes away. How do you know that this isn't damaging your flywheel, causing untold problems for when your warranty runs out.

I wouldn't accept that they can't fix it. Even if they have to replace the engine, anything is fixable, it's just whether they want to or not. Also, seen lots of people recommend LR customer services, they may be able to offer some advice, or some other help with it.

Hope you get it sorted

Rich

Thanks Rich (rmbillington) for your reply.

As I stated previously, one of their technicians was able to reproduce the problem once, so they know what it sounds like and that it does exist. And it did appear logical that it was a starter motor fault, which they duly replaced. As the problem has returned, it seems unlikely that the new starter would have exactly the same fault, suggesting that another part of the ignition system is at fault (or is creating the fault). I've sat in the car for ages, firstly with the service manager and latterly with the workshop manager and it fired up beautifully every time.

The devil in this situation is that nobody has any idea whether a certain part replacement or modification of a part has been successful until, or unless, it does it again. The nature of the problem is that nine times out of ten when it does happen, the car will start normally within the next few goes or even the next go - how do you fault-find in those conditions!

The dealer says that the visits with the problem are logged and that it will not shirk the problem at the end of warranty, but your comment on possible flywheel damage worries me. I will give some thought to contacting LR customer services. Thing is, I'm thrilled with this car apart from this problem. Was GS TD4 Auto, Privacy, Santorini with Tundra & Alpaca, Cold Climate Pack. Traded for Discovery Sport HSE Auto.

Based on RMB's response it could possibly be that your flywheel has a tooth missing As the starter is turned the spinning action throws a small drive gear forward which engages with the ring gear (Usually) which is attached to the crankshaft of your engine. If there is just one tooth or part of a tooth missing this possibly could cause the starter to just spin without engaging onto anything and make the noise. Don't know how many teeth there are on the ring gear but assuming there's about 100, you've a 100:1 chance of the ring gear with the broken tooth lining up back up with the starter when you stop the engine - hence you can only rarely get it to do the noise.
It's a guess but using a tiny bit of experience gained on an old Vauxhall Viva many years ago, I had to put it in second with the handbrake off one foot in the car and one foot out on the ground holding onto the door to 'rock' the engine 'round a bit' to find a good bit of the flywheel with teeth on (Those were the days ).
Get your dealer to take the starter off and rotate the engine inspecting the flywheel for damage - sounds too easy surely they will have done this already

went to my local morrisons petrol station today and there was a HGV stuck on forecourt with the same problem, seeing as though it was a truck that often delivers to my farm I helped the guy out. I towed him with my ford ranger so he could bump the flywheel round a bit. It took a fair tow involving low range gears but we got it started. No clutch smell from the ranger either surprisingly.

so lesson learnt.... dont carry heavy duty ratchet straps in your car so if a wagon driver asks for a tow you can say 'sorry mate Ive no rope' At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

I used to have this problem with my first car - teeth mising off the 'ring gear'
Used to put it in gear then roll it fowards or backwards . Try it and see.

Then the starter motor used to stick so I carried a lump of wood in the car to give it a belt!


Those were the days............. There's always a way forward!

2008 Freelander Td4 GS - Stornoway Grey - Now Gone - Sob
2011 Freelander Td4 GS 150 - Rimini Red - in its place - Better x far x 4!!

I had to disconnect and reconnect the battery every time I wanted to start the car because of this for a week...went to Lancaster Landrover in Thatcham, they upgraded the instrument cluster software for free and it fixed the problem.

I too would go along with Mr mcphersonstrut.
I had a similar problem with a Wolseley Six with three missing teeth. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Intermitant starting with instrument cluster reseting to zero = search LTB00093

Richard FL2 07 TD4 GS Auto
Ex 02 TD4 Auto