2004 Disco ES V8 will not start

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.

Richard Thomas

New Member
Posts
7
Location
East Kent
I have replaced almost the whole car and just got it back from having last lot completed. However it just refuses to do anything when ignition turned - just a click.
All ignition lights are present and it now has a new 70 Amp battery, so not that.
It was suggested that locking and unlocking the doors would "free it up" which I did and after about 15 tries it fired up. However has gone back to No start after this once.
It has also been suggested I tap the starter/solenoid as this is the possible problem. However this is not practical on an ongoing basis as I am going to have to climb under the car to get to it I suspect.
I am told this is a common problem with Discos.
What is the answer?
New or reconditioned starter?
Something else?
Help
 
First off I would be looking at the wiring to the starter motor from the battery and also the earth wiring between the engine block, bodywork and the battery. Make sure that all the connections are clean and secure. Check also the brown/red wire is properly connected too. There is a relay involved in this circuit; relay R2 in the engine compartment fuse box, you could try changing that too, as a test.
To be honest it sounds like possibly the contacts in the starter solonoid. If it is then it could be a fairly easy and cheap fix. If you don't want to go down the route of pulling the starter to bits yourself then you're could be looking at a replacement starter motor. New or recon, it's up to you.
In my opinion you're listening to too many different people who following a sharp intake of breath will tend to say "Yeah it's a common fault on a (insert vehicle name here), just keep locking and unlocking the doors, that'll sort it" .
Starter motor trouble can turn up on any motor vehicle at almost any time so it's nothing to do with it being a Disco.
 
First off I would be looking at the wiring to the starter motor from the battery and also the earth wiring between the engine block, bodywork and the battery. Make sure that all the connections are clean and secure. Check also the brown/red wire is properly connected too. There is a relay involved in this circuit; relay R2 in the engine compartment fuse box, you could try changing that too, as a test.
To be honest it sounds like possibly the contacts in the starter solonoid. If it is then it could be a fairly easy and cheap fix. If you don't want to go down the route of pulling the starter to bits yourself then you're could be looking at a replacement starter motor. New or recon, it's up to you.
In my opinion you're listening to too many different people who following a sharp intake of breath will tend to say "Yeah it's a common fault on a (insert vehicle name here), just keep locking and unlocking the doors, that'll sort it" .
Starter motor trouble can turn up on any motor vehicle at almost any time so it's nothing to do with it being a Disco.

Many thanks. Having had a crawl around under it at present I cannot even find the starter. As new on site is there an overview plan of Disco I can look at to find the ----. Will do as you suggest
 
As you start looking through the forum, you'll see RAVE mentioned one more than one occasion. It's a download and contains almost everything you might want to know (and some stuff you might not) about the Disco; everything from the Owner's Handbook through the LR workshop manual, electrical circuit diagrams to how to fit various accessories.

It can be downloaded free from : http://landroverforums.com/forum/general-tech-help-8/link-rave-iso-images-42972/
 
The starter is on the driver's side of the engine, under the manifold with an aluminium heat shield above it.

There are other things in the starter circuit that must work before the starter is activated, so it isn't always the motor itself. The BCU is involved, plus Fuse 23 in the passenger compartment fusebox, the connections to which are often affected by water ingress in the cabin behind the dash.

Ours was fitted with new brushes and bearings in 2009 and has behaved itself over 90k miles, we also carry a spare motor as we have 3 V8 D2's in the family.

Peter
 
-
The starter is on the driver's side of the engine, under the manifold with an aluminium heat shield above it.

There are other things in the starter circuit that must work before the starter is activated, so it isn't always the motor itself. The BCU is involved, plus Fuse 23 in the passenger compartment fusebox, the connections to which are often affected by water ingress in the cabin behind the dash.

Ours was fitted with new brushes and bearings in 2009 and has behaved itself over 90k miles, we also carry a spare motor as we have 3 V8 D2's in the family.

Peter

Many thanks Peter, what with yourself Brian 47 and everyone else who is helping, I will manage to a) find the items and b) sort them out. Possibly when the sun drops a little!
 
Back
Top