75ZT Community

I have a random fault on a Rover 75 2004 2.5 v6, sometimes it fires other times nothing happens when turning the key, all the dash light come on. The local garage suggest a burnt out cable in the ignition switch post the key barrel. Any suggestions on a source for a new multi connector switch other than trawling ebay.

There are a few more likely fault areas than the ignition switch itself.

When you say nothing happens, do you even hear a click from under the bonnet.
Although more common on the diesel version, on all models the starter solenoid contacts can wear out. You hear a click but the starter motor doesn't turn the engine over.
It's also not unknown for the feed to the starter motor, a thick white / red wire to not have good contact at the solenoid. A good clean of the terminal can help.
Final one I have seen a couple of times, is worn contacts inside the relay in the immobilser (EWS (Engine immobiliser (EWS from the German, Elektronik WegfahrSicherung))). Check the other two first though.

Many thanks i will give that a go as i it would be good to keep it going.

The garage have had a look and ruled out the starter contacts so the immobiliser looks like a good call and fits with the internment fault that is resolved by rigorous shaking of the steering wheel. Is the immobiliser replaceable or is it hard wired needing lots of new cables? Thanks is advance.

Immobilser is repairable or replaceable. Though replacements don't simply drop in. It deends what the problem is. I've seen some where the relay contacts have worn away so a new one can be soldered in. I've come across ones where water has corroded the connector and repairs to wiring and a new connector soldered in, fixed it.

That said, you didn't mention the other fault that requires shaking the steering wheel. What's that? The switch contacts themselves can be swapped.

Correct me if I'm wrong on this gents. Quite simply (you don't need ign on.) If you run a lead from the battery to the small lead on the starter motor the starter motor will engage and turn the engine over ( but it wont start ) if it doesn't engage then the fault is with the starter motor/solenoid. If it does engage them the fault is elsewhere possibly wiring, ign switch or immobiliser.

takestock wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong on this gents. Quite simply (you don't need ign on.) If you run a lead from the battery to the small lead on the starter motor the starter motor will engage and turn the engine over ( but it wont start ) if it doesn't engage then the fault is with the starter motor/solenoid. If it does engage them the fault is elsewhere possibly wiring, ign switch or immobiliser.

Yes Dave. Correct.

Thanks for your comments. I have replaced the ignition switch, the part on the opposite side of the key barrell and added a new battery. Started first time. But next time, turned key, all the ignition lights come one but the engine is not turned over. Rapid pumping of the steering column with the adjustment lever un locked. Tried again and then started. I can hear the click when the imobolisier unlocks the car. Its still a lovely car but this fault is proving difficult to resolve. Do i need to get someone with the old rover diagnostics or will this just record a generalised fault. Look forward to your suggestions

JSL Rover 2.5 wrote:Thanks for your comments. I have replaced the ignition switch, the part on the opposite side of the key barrell and added a new battery. Started first time. But next time, turned key, all the ignition lights come one but the engine is not turned over. Rapid pumping of the steering column with the adjustment lever un locked. Tried again and then started. I can hear the click when the imobolisier unlocks the car. Its still a lovely car but this fault is proving difficult to resolve. Do i need to get someone with the old rover diagnostics or will this just record a generalised fault. Look forward to your suggestions

How many miles has the car done, sounds like if the engine is not cranking/turning over the contacts and plunger in the starter motor need changing, you ca get a kit for about £20

Also where are you based as i may know someone whom could sort it out for you (Terry Shaw)

Classic intermittent solenoid failure symptoms. Did you try the power to the thin lead on the starter motor to see if it turned over? If you do this multiple times and either it doesn't turn over at all or only turns over sometimes then you have found the problem. As said not an expensive fix and there is a how to on here