Curious problem starting then stalled after bump start ?

My 300tdi 110, 1997, has been a little temperamental with starting for a while, often going a month or so with no issues but then deciding that it takes a 'jiggle' of the car or a rapid turn of the key or a wiggle of the steering wheel to persuade her to fire up. She is often more 'moody' if she is warm ? The lights on dash come on incl coil light which then goes out but when turn key again, nothing happens.

Yesterday I drove 30 miles home from work and stopped at school to pick the children up. I was parked on a very slight camber and when we came to try to start her she decided she wasn't playing ! I tried all of my usual tricks but had to resort to getting hubby out to give me a tow/bump start.

She started perfectly BUT sounded rather 'rough'. When we stopped to disconnect the tow strap she stalled ! She's NEVER done that before. We tried again and she bump started but as soon as I tried to put my foot down a bit she didn't want to rev at all and stalled again, there seemed to be no power etc.

We ended up just towing all the way home and dumped her on the street while we frantically checked oil levels etc ! Thankfully there was oil in her (admittedly not full but certainly not dry). We decided to give her one last go ....... She fired up ! She didn't sound as rough as she had the last time?

Any ideas as to what could be going on ?
We have a thick brown wire connected to the started motor and this seems to move somewhat. Is this right ? We've tried to tighten it but it just won't. We also have a leaking front diff. She had a new fuel lifter pump about 3 months ago and a new starter motor in May. We have a cobra immobiliser fitted. Could any of these be connected at all ?

Thanks. Any help appreciated ! We moved house in summer and are now nowhere near our mechanic friends (2 hours away) ........ Calling all Landy on-line 'friends' !!

When you had the Cobra immobiliser fitted, did you have the LR one taken out?

Erm ... I honestly don't know ? The light on the dash still flashes like it always did before the cobra (which has a separate light). I've had the cobra just over a year now. Electrics are NOT our strong point !

That cable doesn't sound right at all.

Nope, just looked and LR one is def still there. Are we able to disconnect that ?

If your brown starter cable is moving fix it, it should be solid on the starter as Discokids says, it's probably the cause of the bad starting

Don't forget that the heavy cable on the starter goes direct to the battery, disconnect the battery first otherwise the display of sparks and subsequently fouled trousers makes for an interesting story

Thick brown cable tightened now, fingers crossed for the commute this morning ! Just hoping she doesn't decide to stall on the M1 !

Oh just realised, didn't put in first post that she is now deciding to stall after being revved then taking foot off.

When was the last time it was serviced and fuel filter changed? Does it do it every time you stop or is it incline or fuel level related? Does it just stop like someone turning off the key or does it sound like it's running out of fuel? And finally what area of the country do you live in case someone could come over and help diagnose the problem?

Check your main engine to chassis earth wire, my guess is it is loose or corroded.
Steve.

Thanks folks. Earth is new, fitted a couple of months ago as seemed to be the cause of her temp gauge going straight to red if headlights on and driving !

Fuel filter we changed this weekend.

Started first time this morning and has behaved on my 30mile commute, but I did keep to 55 (sorry M1 !).

We are just off J25 of M1 if anyone really kind and knowledgable was nearby !

I'm nearby and even kind, but not particularly knowledgeable. I'm happy to glance over it and see if there's anything obvious amiss.

If I manage to get mine rebuilt and drivable I can come and have a look, I'm not far from Ashby so j25 isn't a million miles away either

I'm at j28 if all else fails but I think you've got enough helping hands coming should get it fixed