Engine disabled message
 

Can anyone advise on this problem, please? I last used my car on Sunday morning and everything was fine. Tried to use it again on Monday afternoon and it wouldn't start. When I turn the ignition key to the "start" position, nothing happens except that the message "engine disabled" appears on the message centre. The handbook suggests that this means that there is a problem connected with the immobiliser.

I have tried both keys without success. Both keys lock and unlock the doors, though, so their batteries can't be flat. The car battery is also not flat. I have tried disconnecting and reconnecting the car battery (on the principle of "switching off and rebooting") but, again, without success. The car has been parked under cover in the car-port since last used, so water ingression seems unlikely - I have checked the plenum and all seems dry anyway.

I'm now out of ideas and would be very grateful for any suggestions!

In case it helps, the car is a 2002 Rover 75 Mark I with a 2 litre petrol engine.

How sure are you the battery has enough power in it? i have read other posts where this is down to a flat or dead battery might be worth you trying a booster pack or charging the battery and seeing what happens.

Andy

First thing i would do is check your plenums for water!!!

i thought that but he said he has checked them ??

He has done that and all appears to be dry.

i still think battery try a booster pack or charging it even if the battery shows 12-14 Volts still might not have enough amps to kick engine over worth a try let us know what happens

Thats just me quick reading!!

A similar problem popped up not long back. Water in the ecu which caused a car to be scrapped.

Thanks for the replies, chaps. I had already checked the plenums and found them bone dry (I check the drains regularly, having been caught out by a flooded ICU a few years ago).

I don't think the culprit is the battery, because everything else is still working. I had a flat battery a few months ago and did not get the "engine disabled" message on that occasion. In desparation, I have put the battery on charge on the off-chance that it might help - I'm not optimistic but I'll report back later.

If anyone has any other ideas in the meantime, please let me know!

As above ,charge the battery then when you attempt to start turn to position 2 wait a couple of seconds then try to start.

Let me know how you get on, if you are still having problems then I may be able to help.

Has your car got a sunroof by any chance?



Russ

After 3 hours on full charge, I connected the battery up again but the situation was no different, except that now the "engine disabled" message comes up as soon as I switch the ignition on (previously, it did not come on until I turned the key to "start"). I have put the battery back on charge for now but I really do not think it is going to help; as I said earlier, I had a flat battery some weeks ago and did not get the "engine disabled" message then.

To answer Russ's question, no, this car does not have a sun-roof. Why do you ask?

Any more ideas gratefully received.