Hi all, I have an issue with my beloved L322 which I hope the community might be able to shed some light on.
For the past few months, I've been experiencing an intermittent issue when starting the car. I press ignition and it sometimes starts just fine, and other times it returns over 40 error messages. I have to turn off ignition and then back on again a few times until it lets me start it, but the engine light will stay on. It'll then randomly disappear after 4 or 5 starts.

Thought it was the battery at first so had it changed no luck and I've now got 2 batteries. Checked the alternator and all good, got the ECU checked and it came back all fine. Hell I even dropped it at a RR dealer and they couldn't figure out what is happening.

Wa starting to think it might be haunted as I was at loss as to what it could be, but I've recently noticed a pattern to it: if you press on the left of the start button, it is fine. And anywhere else it'll go bonkers. I wish I was kidding.
Bought a cheap £15 start/stop button on ebay to try and see whether that'd sort it out but I have the same issue. Should I try the pricey official RR one? Or is the issue somewhere else do you reckon?

Any thoughts and fresh pair of eyes greatly appreciated!

The stop-start button has multiple contacts so perhaps the cheap replacement doesn't function adequately.

Check the power distribution boards located behind the battery for corrosion.

You could try a used genuine one & see if that helps….Gentleman of salvage I think are their name, try them? 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
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Thank you both. I've checked the power distribution boards and no corrosion there (unfortunately?). Will keep an eye out for a genuine part

Have a look at the earth to engine. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

Thanks for the suggestion. Where can I find the earth to engine?

There is a main one under the right front wing behind the liner. Known to fail and give hassle, try a jump lead as an earth.

Mine was badly corroded and I had battery charging/starting problems. Replacement earth solved it. If it is that you can make up an earth strap with a length of battery cable. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

That's under the driver's side wheel arch. No obvious earth here unless I'm missing something? 2012 Java Black Westminster 4.4TDV8

It's near the bottom corner of the radiator.

Found it! Cable looks fine but where it connects to the engine/subframe is pretty crusty. Will spend some time on it this afternoon and update, fingers crossed 2012 Java Black Westminster 4.4TDV8

Cleaned everything over the weekend, so far 3 starts without faults (pressing any part of the button). Hoping it stays like this but otherwise might try and souce an official start/stop button. Thanks for the help! 2012 Java Black Westminster 4.4TDV8

Well, it was fun while it lasted... got about 10 starts without any fault but it's come back again. Any other components I should check or any other ideas as to what it could be? 2012 Java Black Westminster 4.4TDV8

If the 10 starts was better than before then you are probably on the right track, check the earth lead for corrosion along it's length, does it crackle when you bend it? I've had them fracture before but work now and again as the outer plastic holds the two broken ends together, that lead was in an engine bay and had no earth with a hot engine as the two ends were pulled apart by the heat expanding the outer cable, when the engine cooled down it reconnected... took a lot of searching to find that one, personally I'd leave the one on there alone and fit another earth strap somewhere else...  Pete
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
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