Classic Range Rover 1990 3.9 Efi odd starting issue

Well this one has me a little stumped. My classic Range Rover has a mind of it's own when it comes to starting. I turn the key, the dash lights come on but the starter motor clicks once and thats it, no turn of the engine. The clock doesnt work and the fan motor will not spin until it is put on the full on position, then it can be turned down to 1 and will run fine. The battery has a good charge and the earth strap is connected OK. Turn the key again, same sympton, leave it for 10 minutes, same sympton, forget all about it, try it again some time later and it will start first time. Leave it running for half an hour, turn it off, try and start, same problem. What is causing this? Anyone have any ideas at all?

Is it like the other models and has a couple of earth straps, one on the gearbox and so on and have you checked them all? Are these systems controlled by relays or could there be loose wires in the fuse box or on the ignition?

Cheers Nick.

Hi Nick, many thanks for your reply. I can rule out the fuse box and ignition switch. As for the earth strap on the gearbox, not checked for that so will take a look over the weekend. One thing I have noticed is that when the ignition is at switch 2, the fuel pump whirrs in to life as I would expect, this stops then I go to crank the engine. The starter solenoid clicks, then the fuel pump whirrs again as if to shut down. I guess this is because the engine hasn't started so no fuel is needed?

My old hybrid EFi Landy had a similar problem which I thought was down to the Toad Alarm. Apparantly it was a dicky solenoid and a sticking brush on the starter motor as well, which meant only very rarely would it start when the dicky brush was making contact and the solenoid decided it wanted to work.