Range Rover Engine Start Issues
Have you ever experienced difficulties starting your Range Rover Sport? If so, you’re not alone. Several Range Rover Sport owners have reported similar issues.
In this blog post, we will delve into the causes of a starting problem faced by a recent client of Fitch Autos, and how we successfully resolved it. Whether you’re an experienced Range Rover Sport owner or a first-time buyer, this post is a must-read for anyone grappling with engine start issues.
The Range Rover Sport Autobiography is a luxurious vehicle that offers a blend of performance, comfort, and off-road capability. It’s no wonder our client chose to invest their hard-earned money in the 2018 model.
However, our client’s delight in driving their Range Rover Autobiography was replaced with frustration when it failed to start one morning.
Seeking assistance, they promptly turned to their usual garage to diagnose the issue. The garage identified a problem with the fuel system, but despite replacing various parts, they were unable to rectify the problem.
It became evident that their old garage lacked the necessary expertise in Land Rover vehicles to carry out the repairs. Frustrated by the lack of progress, the client decided to schedule an appointment here at Fitch Autos.
Upon arriving at our garage, the client was greeted by one of our skilled Range Rover technicians, who was more than eager to assist. The client provided a detailed account of all the issues they had been facing with their vehicle.
Our attentive technician carefully listened and took notes to aid in the diagnosis and resolution of the problem.
The client explained that the Autobiography would intermittently fail to start and exhibit improper revving, making it impossible to drive. This posed a significant source of frustration for them.
Furthermore, our technician discovered that the previous garage had replaced the fuel rail pressure sensor, high and low-pressure pumps, and the fuel filter. These replacements failed to resolve the issue.
Our Range Rover technician couldn’t solely rely on the previous diagnosis, so had to conduct a fresh evaluation.
Faults We Found
Our skilled Range Rover technician started the diagnostic process by visually examining the vehicle. They carefully inspected the fuel system for any signs of leaks, assessed the fuel level in the tank, and checked the dashboard for any warning indicators.
Fortunately, no leaks were found in the fuel system. However, the Engine Management Light (EML) was illuminated on the dashboard, indicating the presence of a specific issue that required further investigation with the manufacturer-specific diagnostic tool.
Our experienced Range Rover specialist initiated our comprehensive 15-step diagnostic procedure, designed to deliver a prompt and effective solution for all our clients.
Diagnostic Procedure
To find the root cause of the warning signal, our Range Rover specialist employed the advanced SDD TOPIx diagnostic software specifically designed for Land Rover vehicles.
The diagnostic scan yielded the following error code:
- P008721 – Fuel rail pressure system bank 1 is too low.
The fault code pinpointed the fuel rail as the potential culprit, a diagnosis that the previous garage had also made. However, their attempt to fix the issue was unsuccessful, leaving our technician with the task of finding the correct fix.
Our Range Rover expert conducted comprehensive fuel pressure tests for both high and low pressure, revealing that the system was functioning properly without any indications of failure.
So, what could be the underlying cause?
Determined to uncover the root of the issue, our technician delved deeper and discovered that the problem lay hidden within the DRV valve.
The DRV or Drive Motor Regulator Valve, is essentially responsible for regulating the flow of high-pressure fuel to the drive motor. It adjusts the amount of fuel supplied to the drive motor based on driving conditions.
Upon removing the DRV valve, our technician made an intriguing discovery. One end of the valve had snapped into the bank of one of the fuel rails – a metal rail that holds and distributes pressurised fuel to the fuel injectors – causing a malfunction within the fuel rail of the client’s Range Rover Sport.
While such issues should ideally be uncommon in a high-end vehicle, the reality is that even the smallest components can experience wear and breakage over time, leading to more significant problems.
Fixing the Problem
Our Range Rover technician thoroughly explained the diagnosis to the client, highlighting the need for a fuel rail replacement in order to restore the vehicle’s performance. Satisfied with the explanation, the client granted us permission to proceed with the necessary repair.
Without delay, our expert began the repair process by removing the defective fuel rail and installing a brand-new one. Using a genuine Land Rover part, our technician delivered the highest quality replacement.
Following the installation, an adaptation reset was performed to ensure the vehicle’s control modules adapt and learn the specific characteristics of the new fuel rail. By resetting the adaptations, the modules can adjust their parameters and optimise performance based on the new component.
Our Range Rover technician conducted a final check for any fault codes. Since no new codes were detected, they cleared and reset the dashboard warning lights.
With all fixes complete, our technician took our client’s 2018 Range Rover Sport Autobiography on a test drive, assessing the vehicle’s performance, power delivery, and overall handling. The results were outstanding and the Range Rover Sport felt as good as new!
Conclusion
Our experienced Range Rover technician was able to help a recent Fitch Autos client with their Range Rover Sport Autobiography, when they were facing difficulties with starting up and driving their vehicle.
Our skilled lead technician attentively listened to the client’s concerns and promptly initiated a comprehensive diagnosis of the vehicle.
Conducting a meticulous visual inspection, our technician found no fuel system leaks, prompting them to delve deeper into the issue. Using their expertise and following our rigorous 15-step diagnostic procedure, our technician identified the faulty component as the fuel rail, meaning a replacement was needed.
Once the new fuel rail was securely installed, we performed an adaptation reset to ensure seamless integration. To guarantee the vehicle’s optimal performance, a thorough test drive was conducted, confirming that all issues were resolved.
At Fitch Autos, we take pride in delivering efficient and cost-effective solutions to our valued clients. With our expertise surpassing that of dealerships, we offer unparalleled value and service. Our client was delighted with the quality, reliable fix our Range Rover experts provided.
Should you encounter any difficulties with your Range Rover Sport Autobiography or any other Land Rover model, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for expert diagnosis and repair. Contact us at 01543 401252.
