Intermittent starting problem (solenoid?)

Hi,

The Wife's Freelander has decided that this weeks issue is going to be intermittent starting. When you turn the key nothing happens. You then go back to the car and try again and it springs into life as if nothing has happened.

Given this, I suspect it's not the battery, and was leaning more towards a faulty solenoid.

If you have experienced this problem too and can help me diagnose the problem I'd be most grateful.


Thanks

Possibly the starter relay or a bad connection, both cheaper and easier to start with before you change the starter.

Sometimes it's just a dirty connection on the starter motor (try wriggling the exciter wire) but it can be commonly the ignition switch.

try slamming the door while you turn the key; if it starts it is possibly a bad connection.
as said before check the exciter wire, if the fault isn't there my money is on the solenoid.

I must also add that we had a blocked crank case breather a while back and it looks like some oil was forced out the dipstick. The starter motor sits directly below and as a result it does look like oil has contaminated the starter motor area.

I will give the ideas you suggest a go.

Thanks

Does a light flash on the dashboard? It sounds like it could be the imobiliser. When it doesn't start - try pressing the unlock button on the key fob a couple of times and try again. Are you getting any beeping when you unlock and enter the car? Try changing the battery in the key fob - instructions in the car's manual.

kev1nlm said:

Possibly the starter relay or a bad connection, both cheaper and easier to start with before you change the starter.

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Where you bin lately Kevin? Hope that L Series has been keeping well and hasn't caught the cam belt failure virus - there's a lot of it going around at the mo.

Those bunnies keeping well to?

Is there a flashing light on the dash?
Does it make a single click from the engine bay when you turn the key?

GrumpyGel said:

Where you bin lately Kevin? Hope that L Series has been keeping well and hasn't caught the cam belt failure virus - there's a lot of it going around at the mo.

Those bunnies keeping well to?

Click to expand...

Lol all good thanks just been made redundant so been busy trying to sort stuff out, getting ready for our hols next week so been pretty busy. I have got the most annoying rattle around 3000rpm and goes around 3250rpm but is also present on overrun so Ive been trying to find that but to no avail!!!
rabbit is good thanks! lol

try putting a live onto the solenoid if it starts then it could be the ignition switch as this was a common fault on early models al that it needs is the contacts on the switch cleaning