Engine disabled message

Charles · 3rd January 2012, 12:33

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.

psicobra · 3rd January 2012, 12:50

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

johnwh74 · 3rd January 2012, 12:55

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

psicobra · 3rd January 2012, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwh74

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

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

Banjo · 3rd January 2012, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwh74

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

He has done that and all appears to be dry.

psicobra · 3rd January 2012, 12:58

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

johnwh74 · 3rd January 2012, 12:59

Thats just me quick reading!!

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

Charles · 3rd January 2012, 13:09

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!

BigRuss · 3rd January 2012, 13:16

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

Charles · 3rd January 2012, 14:58

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.

3rd January 2012, 12:33	#1
Charles Avid contributor Rover 75 2.0 V6 Connossieur SE Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: York Posts: 183 Thanks: 13 Thanked 12 Times in 6 Posts	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.

3rd January 2012, 12:50	#2
psicobra Gets stuck in Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Newtown Posts: 728 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	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 __________________ car is a 2000 REG 2.0 V6 connie long list of work done so long cant fit in signature so here is the link

3rd January 2012, 12:55	#3
johnwh74 Posted a thing or two mg zt & Bmw 528i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: doncaster Posts: 1,138 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	First thing i would do is check your plenums for water!!! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

3rd January 2012, 12:58	#6
psicobra Gets stuck in Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Newtown Posts: 728 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	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 __________________ car is a 2000 REG 2.0 V6 connie long list of work done so long cant fit in signature so here is the link

3rd January 2012, 12:59	#7
johnwh74 Posted a thing or two mg zt & Bmw 528i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: doncaster Posts: 1,138 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thats just me quick reading!! A similar problem popped up not long back. Water in the ecu which caused a car to be scrapped. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

3rd January 2012, 13:09	#8
Charles Avid contributor Rover 75 2.0 V6 Connossieur SE Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: York Posts: 183 Thanks: 13 Thanked 12 Times in 6 Posts	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!

3rd January 2012, 13:16	#9
BigRuss Premium Trader 75 CDT Tourer,2.5 Launch Saloon, Omipro MG/Rover (T4) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Liversedge, West Yorkshire Posts: 5,405 Thanks: 1,105 Thanked 1,340 Times in 661 Posts	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 __________________ Replacement Key Service http://https://the75andztclub.co.uk/...d.php?t=244732 Full T4 Testbook diagnostics available. Diesel ECU repair and replacement. Options enabled or disabled as required. Diesel X-Power 135 and 160bhp, Rover 1.8T 150 to 160 MG 160 V6 to 177 upgrades available P.M. for details.

3rd January 2012, 14:58	#10
Charles Avid contributor Rover 75 2.0 V6 Connossieur SE Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: York Posts: 183 Thanks: 13 Thanked 12 Times in 6 Posts	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.