Unfortunately it is definitely NOT the ignition switch then...

It is the steering lock which is incorporated within the steering column and can't be bought separately...

This has been a common problem in the USA, mostly in the warmer states so it seems to be a heat thing but will effect all early 2002-2005 FF's eventually.

The fix from the dealer is a new steering column but they are several thousand pounds....

The cheapest thing to fix it is to make up a switch and inline fuse and fit it in fuse 18's hole, several have done this and it is a permanent but inconvenient fix, every time you want to start the car you have to switch the switch off, wait about 30seconds then switch it back on and it will start... or remember to switch it off as you leave the car and then back on again when you get in (on reading that it seems to me it would be easy to fix a relay in with a self collapsing circuit and it would do it for you...)

No one has published a full repair for this, someone put up some pictures of where to drill a hole in the column and squirt in some WD40 to try to lube the plunger which is getting stuck but I have heard of lots of horror stories as the hole is very close to all the electronics and one wrong move and the column is toast....

Several people in the USA have said they can fix it but won't publish how, understandable as it's their fix....

I have an idea how to do it from trawling through the wiring diagrams and studying all the info available but it is only an idea, it would take many hours to try and is not guaranteed.

I'm not prepared to share it as it will then be in the public domain and maybe totally wrong...

My FF is showing the early signs of this and when it packs up totally I will have a go at mine, no loss as both of my steering wheel move motors are broken as well....

So the answer is a new or second hand column, they do come up on ebay but still fetch a good price as this is now getting to be a common fault along with the motors...

I believe Cam-Tech-Craig on here has had some success with fixing them (I could be totally wrong) but I don't know anyone else this side of the pond who has done it...

Sorry to be doom and gloom but at least you now know exactly what it is....  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Pete,
Thanks so much for that info, (event though its not what I really wanted to hear )

I think the idea of fitting a self colapsing relay into fuse 18 is a great idea.

Im going to speak to an auto electrician I know and see if he can do this.

Ill trawel the net to try and see what a second hand column is too (may be a horror story !!)

Again thank you so much for the info and your time on a sunday

Neil

No problem, glad to help,

I can soon do you a diagram if you want to DIY it.... very easy to do with stuff from Halfords.... Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

NeilC wrote:

Hi Guys,
Just fitted a new battery and the car started first time.

However i swithced it off and tried to start it again and nothing but the click click click !

Any ideas ?

Neil

There is an outside chance it's voltage related but I wouldn't think so as you haven't got any other faults shown and a low voltage sends everything crazy....!!! Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

A diagram would be much appreciated Pete whihc you have time.

Ive pulled the fuse a couple of times and restarted the car every time, you can hear the steering lock knock off each time !

Cheapest rack I can find is £500.00, God knows how much it would cost to fit it !!

Love em ! hate em ! all at the same time

Might just be worth disconnecting the battery, see how to do it properly in the WIKI if you haven't as it has an explosive disconnect, and then give it an overnight charge if you have a charger, just a trickle charge will do don't do it on full power or you will boil it to death....

I'll get some time in the next couple of days to sort out a diagram and show you where to plug it....  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Royston, Established its the steering rang lock with Petes help.

Same thing happens with my car, disconnect battery and it starts once then repeat !!

Thinking about this a colapsing curcuit would work with mine as I have removed the plunger in the ignition switch so mine will always get to ignition but won't crank, you can't get to ign live so may be able to do something with a timer relay...

For now you just need a 10amp inline fuse, a switch and some spade connectors, wire the fuse and switch in line and then both free ends put a male spade connector on then plug these two ends into where the fuse goes, one spade terminal in each side of the fuse, doesn't matter which way round... Standard male spade connectors are the same size as the fuse ends.. You can make a cheap fuse holder with two female spade connectors and a blade fuse as used in the FF, just make sure you tape up the bare ends....

Something like this... you can make the wire as long as you like to get the switch over to the drivers side and stick it somewhere... the wire rating should be the same or greater than the fuse rating (Fuse 18 should be a 10amp)



Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

thansk for that Pete,
Ill give the details to the spark I know and see what he can do.

Uli

I definately wont be drilling it

thanks

Neil

Uli, Did you try it with the solenoid removed, would it still work then....??

The way I understood the "cheap fix" was that it defaulted to unlock by virtue of the spring so there was no way the column could be locked as then removing fuse 18 wouldn't work as the column was locked...!!!??? Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

@Haylands, the solenoid has full function after cleaning with WD40, also you have to clean the white motor, he pushes the lock in and out, and the solenoid with his pin is for security, when the motor becomes crazy ...., and will close while driving )

The Solenoid is german manufactured, not in production since ten years, and NOWHERE in the world to get..., searched since month....

Best rgs, Uli L405 SDV8 2017 + Lancia Flavia Coupe 1964 + RRS L494 3.0 SDV6 + C220CDI Convertible 2021

I see, thanks, I have been removing bit's of mine to make it far simpler and more reliable, the plunger that locks the ignition and the arm that locks the gearstick, wanted to remove the steering lock as JLR did with the later ones so want to know if it will work without them in place...

I thought there was a failsafe and the lock couldn't come on whilst driving...??? Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

@Haylands
.... "I thought there was a failsafe and the lock couldn't come on whilst driving...???"

According to Rave .... The actuator(solenoid) is required to hold the locking bolt in the unlocked position in the event of power loss during operation.

So basically the only thing stopping the steering lock coming on while driving is the little solenoid pin (P57-14 in my L322 2002 Workshop Manual) which is, of course, very comforting
. Howard
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2002 4.4 V8 LPG Tartarini
Have RSW AllComms in Cheshire J17 M6 - happy to help.
*Gone: Classic Vogue SE Auto V8 3.9