Thanks for all the info. 240 AMP earthing strap ordered. Views and help much appreciated.

A 2007 LR Freelander 2 GS - factory tints, LR mud flaps, 2013 facelift)
Problems/solutions include: rear diff pinion replaced, stearing rack and pump replaced, alternator earth cable replaced (plus new alternator as misdiagnosed), throttle body replaced, MAP sensor replaced, secondary earth cable...
2002 MG TF 160 1.8i VVC - Gone
1998 MGF 1.8i VVC - Gone

Darren240582 wrote:

Hi All,

Still getting problems , I fitted the starter motor solenoid and the earth strap and all was good for 2-3 days, best it has been in a while, not had any more issues with the HDC failure, but I am still getting the steering column locked problem.

Steering column locked-

Key in - clutch down - electrics on and then message in the panel- steering column locked.

Disconnect and reconnect battery and all is good.

What I have now noticed is that we get the problem when we stop, hand brake on - stop button - retrieve key and the steering column does not lock, this is when we get the problem with restarting. On turning car off I have rotated the steering wheel to get the column to lock but nothing, not even a noise for it to try and lock.

Any ideas

Thanks

Darren

Thanks guys... you've just given me the push I needed to order the extra earth cable from the guy on ebay. 2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

Dotsen wrote:

Darren240582 wrote:

Hi All,

Still getting problems , I fitted the starter motor solenoid and the earth strap and all was good for 2-3 days, best it has been in a while, not had any more issues with the HDC failure, but I am still getting the steering column locked problem.

Steering column locked-

Key in - clutch down - electrics on and then message in the panel- steering column locked.

Disconnect and reconnect battery and all is good.

What I have now noticed is that we get the problem when we stop, hand brake on - stop button - retrieve key and the steering column does not lock, this is when we get the problem with restarting. On turning car off I have rotated the steering wheel to get the column to lock but nothing, not even a noise for it to try and lock.

Any ideas

Thanks

Darren

I am having exactly the same problem as Darren on my 2007 FL2.
I have changed the battery and put on the earth strap.
It seems that the problem was solved but then a few days later it came back...
Darren did you ever find out why the steering lock is not engaging?

Thanks
Fred

and how do you get such software update please?

Hi
In a strange way I was pleased to read that other people have had the same problem as me, only in that it is nice that I am not alone with my problem.
I bought my 57 plate Freelander 2 a year ago, after having it for about 4 weeks the starting problem appeared for the first time, key in, clutch down, button pressed there is a pause then the hazard lights come on with HDC system fault, engine fault etc. It went back to the garage 6 times and to a specialist in Louth at least twice, with no solution as the fault is so intermittent. A new earth strap was fitted and the battery was checked (even though it was almost new), this did not help.
The car can start first time for up to 4 weeks then fail every time it's started for days, so annoying! After removing the key and a short wait the car will start, mostly, sometimes it can take 4 or 5 goes. I started taking it to a place in Oxton and they are confused by the error codes as nothing is related. They suggested trying all the electrics when it failed, everything worked except for the wipers, last week they fitted a new key pack as this was one of the possibilities and the most inexpensive, but this hasn't solved the problem. the next thing they are going to try is a new fuse box, which is a very expensive part to fit, so I am hoping someone here can shed any light or thoughts.
Thanks

How odd,

We havealso had ours about 4 weeks before this very same thing happened.

Seems to be completely random when it happens, and as above, leave for a few minutes and all can be OK again for a few days.

Tried earth strap and a new battery, but no difference.

Been to dealers and they could not replicate the fault.!

My son had this a few times and finally on the day he was trading his FL2 in. It took him about an hour to get it started in the morning and he had a few business visits to make before handover at lunchtime. He disabled stop/start and went all morning without switching the engine off and got it to the dealer and just parked it and left it there. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

I have had this steering locked problem for half a year now and tried to solve it with help from this tread without success. I have also reprogrammed the software - helped for one day

Disconnecting the battery pole always helps to get the engine started. The sad thing about this is that you have to open the bonnet - disconnect the battery - reconnect the battery - close the bonnet.

To find a solution I could live with I then bought a winch solenoide on ebay - 24 £. It manage up to 500A. I also bought an electrical press button. I stretched an electrical wire from the engine compartment to underneath the dashboard on the left side - must be the oposite for english cars

I then installed the solenoide beside the battery. I also installed the press button underneath dashbord on the left side. The wire I connected to the button and the "steering contacts" on the solenoide. With a short red battery cable, I then connected the power for the electrical system/software of the car through the solenoide. This makes it possible to cut off the power to the car software when pressing the button. It always works and I can actually start the car without opening the bonnet every day

This is not a solution to the problem but it is a solution to live with





Last edited by Freelander Norway on 13th Sep 2016 8:34 pm. Edited 3 times in total

Interesting workaround but I would have thought that the problem is unlikely to be software related otherwise it would be a much more common problem and would be unlikely to be intermittent. My money is on some electronic component like an electrolytic capacitor or a dry joint on a circuit board (the usual culprit) but how to find it?
I once had a problem a bit like this with a Citroen where the immobiliser sometime wouldn't let me start the car or the alarm would go off whilst driving. It started to become more and more often. The garage couldn't fix it, no parts in the UK and it was Xmas eve and I was desperate so they got the module out and I opened it up (negating the warranty -but it was a company car) and I resoldered a few joints where the main connector joined the board (the dealer technician didn't want to be involved). It seemed to do the trick and I had no problems thereafter. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Yes I agree. The problem is still to find the fault.. It is a lot of electronics in this car. I read somewhere it also could be a shortcutting wire between the dash and the chassie - somewhere..

I hope one day someone finds the final solution for this problem and post it on this website.
Until then I will use my solenoide