Battery / Starter motor issue

Some thoughts please

My 93 Defender 90 has developed a starting issue. Last week I thought it was getting a little bit slower to turn over - barely perceptible - but definitely declining.

Now I get a click when I turn the ignition.....but then second or third turn it fires right up.

I have had it on charge over the weekend end. Now reading 12.6v but it still clicked 2/3 times before it fired.

This battery has been rock solid but I'm guessing it is 4-5 years old.

Is your little green window still nice and bright?
Was it fully re-charged?
What is the voltage showing when engine is running?
What voltage does it drop to when you crank it?

Cheers

considering it starts on the 2nd or 3rd time
I would say maybe a loose connection on the starter or a sticking solenoid or a sticking starter

low voltage on cranking doesn't mean its a poor batt the starter maybe pulling to many amps

Thanks I'll check the voltages and report back.

Just looked up - battery was new in October 15

Check your earths from battery to engine, engine to chassis, chassis to body.
Usine a multimeter you should get no more than 2 Ohms of resistance

Could be worn starter brushes too.

What they all said. It might be a good idea to remove the starter and refurb it, and it's connections, or at least clean it out ... especially if it's been through mud!

I had a similar issue (amongst others), and mine was the chassis to engine/box earth strap. Corrosion under the strap where it met the chassis.

Thanks for the comments. Update:

Green window nice and bright
Reading 12.4 v when running
Reading 11.5 ish when cranking

Had to go to work so can't check anything else but will check connections next.

Hi

Is that 12.4 V with the engine having been revved? Does the battery light go out on the dash?

Cheers

neilly said:

Hi

Is that 12.4 V with the engine having been revved? Does the battery light go out on the dash?

Cheers

Click to expand...

Even at idle that seems low.

starter motor to me needs a service prob bone dry , easy job to do also check the bushes while your in there

Battery sounds good, i would take a look at your earth leads and clean up what you have and add some more as the std ones are pretty poor.
An 019 battery is a serious bit of kit and should have no bother starting the engine.
I think D3 is 017te and wifes audi 3.0 tdi is an 019 both have massive electrical demands way above any defender.
I gave my old 017te D3 battery to mate for his 110 snatch 4.6 v8 he reckons its never started so well.
Ps see the battery neg terminal clamp is sitting high? loosen the clamp bolt and tap the terminal down until it hits the bottom then tighten the pinch bolt back up.