Land Rover Won't Start: Key Sensor or Battery Mystery?

Hey there! I actually faced similar issues with my 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Diesel last winter. The symptoms were nearly identical, no start, warning lights, and central locking going crazy. Took it to my garage and turns out the key's insertion slot was defective, not the Hall sensor as I initially thought. The mechanic had to replace the entire ignition barrel assembly because the internal contacts were worn out. It wasn't just a simple fix, they had to reprogram the new unit to sync with the car's immobilizer system. The whole job took about 4 hours. Definitely get it checked by a Land Rover specialist, this isn't something you want to mess around with as it affects the security system of your vehicle. The symptoms you're describing are textbook for this kind of issue. BTW, the problem never came back after the repair, and I've put another 40K on the clock since then. Hope this helps!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know it was the ignition barrel in your case. Can I ask how much the repair ended up costing you? Also, have you noticed any other electrical quirks since the fix? I'm trying to get a sense of what I might be in for with my Discovery. Starting to think it might be the same issue you had, especially since our symptoms match up so well.

Hey again! Just to follow up, yeah, I got the issue sorted at the mechanic and I'm happy to share the details. The whole repair came to 290.00 € which covered fixing that defective insertion slot. Turns out my initial hunch about the Hall sensor was wrong, but thankfully the mechanic spotted the real problem right away. Since getting it fixed, my Range Rover Sport's been running like a dream, no more electrical gremlins or starting issues at all. It's like having a new car again! The central locking works perfectly now too, which was such a relief. I was worried there might be some lingering problems, but honestly, everything's been rock solid. Quick tip though, make sure whoever works on it knows Land Rovers well. These security systems can be pretty finicky, and you want someone who knows what they're doing. Mine's been absolutely spot-on since the repair, and I've put plenty of miles on it. Let me know how you get on with yours!

Thanks for all that detailed info! I actually just got back from the mechanic today and wanted to update you all. You were spot on, it was indeed the ignition barrel assembly that needed replacing. The mechanic found worn contacts inside, just like in your case. They did the full repair, including reprogramming everything to work with my Discovery's immobilizer. Cost me around 310.00 € in total, bit more than yours but still worth every penny. The whole thing took about 5 hours, but I'm just glad it's sorted now. Had a good test drive afterwards and everything's working perfectly, the central locking, starting, and all those warning lights are gone. Such a relief! The mechanic I found was fantastic too, really knew his Land Rovers inside and out. Really appreciate everyone's help here, saved me from running around in circles trying to figure it out. Car's running like new now!

Good evening, I have a huge problem. My starter is stuck. I replaced it and put it back. It runs like crazy but it doesn't even turn over. No smoke. No fault codes, no lights on the dashboard. I thought it was a power belt, so I disconnected it, but it works. I changed all the message tubes. Changed the battery in the remote switch, nothing helps. The patient. Lqndrover Discovery 1 2.5 TDI automatic transmission 1998. Thanks in advance for your reply.

(Translated from Hungarian)

Start by checking the battery connections and ensure they are clean and tight. A weak or poor connection can prevent the starter from engaging properly. If the connections are fine, test the battery voltage to ensure it has enough charge. If the battery is good, inspect the starter relay and fuses related to the starting system. Let me know how it goes or if you have any further questions!