Cold weather starting trick - Land Rover Freelander 2 / LR2
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- Quick video showing the "double press" technique which seems to help when starting a Freelander 2 in cold weather. Some people dispute that this works, but I have definitely found it works for me. Try it and let me know if it works for you or not.
It was -6c yesterday morning and I could not start my FL2. After a few attempts I gave up. Then I came across your video and read the manual carefully to find out I had been starting my car the wrong way all these years. Temperature was almost the same this morning but using this correct method, I managed to start the car in one go. Thanks a lot your for video. Really helpful 👍.
I live in North Yorkshire, regularly starting in the minus figures in winter and always starts pretty easily. During the beast from the east I found turn ignition on, turn it off, turn it on, turn it off, then start works well. Fire the glow plugs a few times then start. As I said though it’s never not started down to minus 8
This is really helpful I know so little about cars I actually didn't even realise you could turn on the ignition without fully starting it with this type of electronic key as all my previous old diesels had metal keys and I'm of a certain age! Brilliant thank you
That’s how you are supposed to start a diesel car. Warm glow plugs first. I don’t understand why the freelander 2 community seem to not know this...
The thinking is that the car will automatically delay cranking if the plugs need to warm first. Not noticed this on my car, but owners of later FL2s do report a delay. Maybe a feature LR added in later models?
More negative progress then apparently if engine management has taken away the simple ritual of waiting for the glowplug light to extinguish before cranking and adding instead a layer of automated uncertainty?
Interesting idea, I’ll try that. The FL2 has an electronic throttle though so I’m pretty sure flooring it while cranking has no effect.
I think LR must have changed this for later models. On mine (my11) you just press the starting button and the car will automatically delay cranking, sometimes for several seconds, if it is cold, to allow the glow plugs to warm up.
@@jonathanmiles4277 even 07 model does this. When it’s warm it starts straight away in the middle of winter it has a few second delay. Not silly are these cars
Not a starting trick , this is normal procedure when starting a diesel engine.
The manual says the glowplugs are automatic and no need to wait. The engine is meant to delay starting to give the plugs time to heat but a lot of FL2s don’t do this, including mine. The best way is to put ignition on and wait a short time then start, like with older diesels. Also allows the current drain to fall after the electronics have powered up.
Top vid, my car had exact same cold weather problem, guys at the garage could'nt get it going, I always suspected the pre heaters.
Great stuff, please keep it up.
Thanks.
Blue Hound.
My Range rover sport has been doing this all week with the snow, just spray some quick atart in the air inlet, you need new glow plugs.
Well it was only 3 degrees but I’d say this worked this morning. I’ll certainly be repeating this throughout the winter months.
Glad to hear it helped!
I had the same issues & four garages couldn’t find the fault. Took it to main dealership. They found wiring fault , damaged wire that goes down under subframe to starting motor / damaged. After repair all good.
We had 0°f (-18c) this year and mine struggled, warning light came on all the time HDC, but I drove abit and it was fine. I did find waiting abit helped alot. If HDC light comes on when it's very cold it most likely just cold and goes away but if it comes on while the temperature is warm out you may need a new battery.
I had problems with starting my fl2 last couple days. It was like around 0°. So last times i tried that "trick" and i think it really helped. Probably its just manually preheating but it works perfectly
Glad to hear it worked for you, thank you!
@@BeavisPits Update: in the end i still let a friend change the glowplugs. They were done
Glow plug led usually has to glow for a 3 seconds. If it just one second or less, you might have issue with glow plugs. I usually make sure that most of consumers are off. Below -20 Celsius this trick not works much and you need a webasto running before start. But webasto also draining battery a lot, so better to start after(not during) webasto cycle and don't leave for a day car without starting if webasto was working. Had this mistake once this winter..
This is very interesting, I’ve never heard of this previously, I’ve had a problem starting in the cold mornings in the last few weeks, I also own a Defender and I’m aware of the starting routine for that re the glow plugs, I shall try this and report back.
Yes, you cycle the glow plugs in - 10 - 20 for a better and faster start. If you have to cycle them in 2 degree weather just change the glow plugs. You might have one or more dead or they are at the end.
Hey, sorry to bother. I have a Freelander 2 from 2007 and I have problems with starting the car at -2 degrees. The battery and the electromotor have been changed with new ones one year ago. The issue might be with the glow plugs right?
@@TraianTeodor yes. At - 2 you should not have any issues. Just do a quick scan. I'm sure you have at least 2 or 3 dead glow plugs.
@@cipriangherman6533 Hey, let me ask you something else. When I bought the car the mirrors were moving for maximum visibility when taking a turn on the road. So if I was turning to the left, the mirrors were also turning to the left so I can see better. For whatever reason they got deactivated, you might know how can I reactivate this program? And I am not talking about the parking movement, they were moving while I was driving.
@@TraianTeodor there can be many reasons. Just plug in a dedicated scanner and take a look.
Are the motors for the mirrors still ok? Do they work?
@@cipriangherman6533 yep, the motors are ok, also when parking the car the mirrors adjust as they are supposed to. I don't personally have a tester, but I will go to the dealership when I get the chance. I was hoping for a quick fix, maybe there is some button combination I need to press. I cannot find anything on the internet.
Nice video but......Easy start reduces compression over time on older engines. Your main issue is poor cranking rpm to be honest. That has a huge impact. 😊
A few have mentioned that. I’ll be changing the starter motor soon to see if it makes any difference.
@@BeavisPits have you volt drop tested wiring first?
Yes, all fine, extra earth strap fitted too. I’ll do a video on this along with the starter motor change.
@@BeavisPits interesting, under 2v in both cables? Fully loaded?
You should always let the computer start up checks finish before asking it to start. The computer chip is not that fast and not that powerful either so it slow very slow compared to modern chips. Try it and your unburnt fuel will go away and your start will be smooth (er) and more efficient.
I’m glad you agree and it isn’t my imagination. A lot of people say this idea is rubbish and doesn’t make any difference at all.
@@BeavisPits Modern cars are controlled by the ECU (s) that in turn is governed by the chip (s) installed. Fuel, air, accelerator pedal position, and more. Most people have no clue they still think cars are mechanical only. That chip is old it was old in 2006 it is now in computer terms stone age.
@@johnnodge4327 Yes. Well explained. Many conflicts and errors are just impatient starts confusing everyone.
@@johnnodge4327 thanks for the advice.. I've just bought an 07 FL2, my 1st diesel, and this advice is invaluable for the coming winter..
I been doing this for years winter mornings in westyorkshire Yeadon -4 the other morning.
Anyone knows you shouldn't start a diesel with the glow plug light illuminated!
The problem is that unfortunately a lot of people don’t know this. The Freelander 2, and most modern diesels, should automatically delay after pressing the start button, but I find that often this doesn’t happen and it tries to start before the glowplugs have heated. Waiting also allows self-checks etc to complete and initial current drain to reduce.
Tried this morning, -1 C° , I haven't any problem in starting , I changed the battery last summer, but using this method seems the engine is firing more quickly
I’m up at 05:00 tomorrow and I’ll be trying this. I’ll let you know if mine is any better at starting.
Most of the time starts straight away, but if cold (depending upon severity) after pressing start button nothing happens for a few seconds then she fire's up after the glow-plugs have done their stuff. I don't see an issue. I think you may have a sensor problem.
Older FL2s don’t seem to do the automatic delay to give the plugs a chance to heat up.
In the light cluster where the glow plug light is what is the green arrow, swear I’ve never seen/noticed this before.
ECO stop start change up indicator
Very useful cold start system. Have you tried a spot of Redex to reduce your smoke?
Thanks. I’ll be doing a video on diesel additives very soon.
Excellent tip Beavis. I have a start/stop issue on my fantastic 2014 FL2. It's an intermittent issue. I press the circular button several times nothing.. then it will suddenly decided to fire up after many attempts. The same goes for stopping it which I can only guess has to do with the button. Its not the battery as it is new and has been tested and is fully charged and functioning. Have you come across this issue before? Suffice to say, I couldn't be a bank robbers getaway driver using my FL2 hahaha 😅 can you spare any advice please?
If it was just starting then I’d say starter motor solenoid brushes, but if it isn’t stopping either then sounds like your button is worn out.
@@BeavisPits thsnk you Beavis. It appear to be the case. Will try get a mechanic to take a look. Have you come across this fault on 2014 FL2 before?
Yeah that usialy is common sense you wait for glow plugs just like with a key igniton on light goes out start it
Hahaha a cold morning 2 degrees that’s summer in the highlands 😅
Ha, yeh, 2’C is cold for Hampshire
Have you tried using a Toyota
Er, no, are they any better in the cold?
But your second days starting you didn't e en wait for the glow plug. That's why it was harder and why you got the black smoke, you can damage the engine doing it that way, apparently.
Yes, exactly my point! The manual says the glowplugs are automatic and no need to wait. The engine is meant to delay starting to give the plugs time to heat but a lot of FL2s don’t do this, including mine. The best way is to put ignition on and wait a short time then start, like with older diesels. Also allows the current drain to fall after the electronics have powered up.
Спасибо за подсказку 👍👍👍 помогло.
I tryed this also as my freelander 2 was turning over just to long now the mornings are cold.
Would have liked to see the glow plug yellow light stay on for longer showing that they were working but it went like yours straight out. I then put my foot on the pedals and started the car.
I also use redex diesel additive, as I think the engine runs smoother with it.
I have an intermitant fault that the fuel gauge dropped to zero when I had half a tank left. The engine misfired I pulled into a station and refilled to the top and the take showed full with no misfire??
I now keep over half a tank as I don't trust the gauge
Your fuel gauge problem may be the well-know fault with the Freelander 2 due to corrosion in the in-tank wiring connectors - I had the same symptom that you have with the fuel gauge dropping to zero when I had half a tank left. It will eventually lead to you breaking down because the car will think it has no fuel and go into limp mode! Go onto Freel2 and read up about it and get it sorted. Good luck.
@@petermorris3665 thanks Peter I have checked the connections under the rear seat to the fuel pumps they seam very complex for a "utility vehicle" is there any way to override the shutdown of the engine as the tank is clearly full, I have seen this is a common fault but it is not easy to remove the tank housing.
@@nicholaskelf5437 Hi Nicholas, there was someone on the Freel2 forum who came up with a workaround to do what you suggest and make the car think that all was ok. In my opinion this is not a permanent solution and only the drop the tank and rewire solution will make the problem permanently go away. When I went to Landrover with this problem my car was 3 years out of warrant but i had a full service history and so they sorted the problem out for £80 / 100Euro 😊. What country are you in?
We have a 2007 FL2 2.2. Same problem but waiting doesn’t fix it at 0 degs C. First winter it’s happened. So the big question is can you get the glow plugs to stay on longer. Just having the ignition on without starting doesn’t do it. The little curly yellow light goes out so I assume the glow plugs do too. Any ideas?
The fuel gauge going to zero fault is also common. The wire between the sender units and inter tank pump has a fault. You need to fix the connection it or get new sender units and pump. It’s a big job as well as £300 ish in parts. You might want to get it done too. The next thing that will happen to you is the car goes into limp home mode as it thinks it’s running out of fuel. Not nice on a fast road. You can reset by switching off pulling the key and starting again.
@@1699bridgetown The official Landrover TSB repair for this is now less than £10 in parts! Initially they cured it by replacing the senders etc but when these were checked on the bench they were still working ok! Eventually, someone realised that it was the corrosion in the connection. The official repair is now cut off the connector and join the wires with inline crimps.
Is it possible its the injectors
Maybe, but starts fine above 0’C
@@BeavisPits yes starts fine again now but still goes to stall when coasting say to traffic lights
I’ve tried your trick but when I press start, no orange coil illuminates! Does this mean the coils are not working? It does struggle to start when below 5 degrees. Is there a way to check coils?
The glowplug light will only illuminate below about 5’C. Above that, they are not used so the light doesn’t come on.
@@BeavisPits i'll wait for a very cold day and retry. Presently 3'C...
Lack of glowplug action could also be a temperature sensor problem fooling the system into thinking the air temperature is high. I had that on a Berlingo HDI.
Interesting phone stand.. where can i find it?
Amazon, but probably no longer available
shit your cold is nothing compared to me , -35 and she wont start
Is that an after market arm rest?
Yes, available on ebay
Glow plug heating nothing new But not evrybody know how to turn in this type of key