Dead defender

Hi,

Defender 90 tdi 300 1997

When I turn the ignition key nothing happens, it won't turn over, no click, nothing. Checked all the fuses in the inside fuse box, checked the relays, checked and cleaned the big fuses in the engine compartment. Battery is fully charged according to my charger, putting out 13.6 volts. Tried jump starting from a battery on my volvo, still won't start, no response at all.

I've run out of ideas, can anyone suggest what to do next?

Run a jump lead from the battery to the stater solenoid to see if it will crank.

Do the dash lights and headlights turn on?

Cheers

^^^ The ignition switch might be on its way out (mine was).

likely ignition switch, try turning it very slowly and/or giving it bit if a wiggle!

Thanks for the advice, no lights of any description,no warning lights, oil light etc.

Just tried it again with the battery charger connected, it tried to turn over but quickly died. Very odd, it wouldn't do that when I tried to jump it.

I'll look at the ignition switch.

Check you've got good earths.....had problems like that years ago it turned out to be a crack in the battery earth clamp, almost invisible to see but changed it and never a problem again.

Sofasurfer said:

Thanks for the advice, no lights of any description,no warning lights, oil light etc.

Just tried it again with the battery charger connected, it tried to turn over but quickly died. Very odd, it wouldn't do that when I tried to jump it.

I'll look at the ignition switch.

Click to expand...

Sounds like a dead battery, get a multimeter and check voltage. Check voltage as you turn key to start. Dont rely on battery charger meter.

Could be an earth, any way my condolences no one wants to hear of another dead Defenderer

This happened to me only yesterday, I ran a jump lead from the battery ( negative) and clamped the other end to the block and it started first time , couldn't find the bad earth anywhere so I ran a new earth cable from the battery direct to a good earth point on the engine and it works a treat and is charging when running as it should, hope this helps.

Yes to a bad earth. Get a good earth and then try a good known battery. then it that doesn't get it staffed look at your ignition switch. Check the terminals are clean and tight on you started solenoid too.

Cleaned everything I could find with wirewool and WD40, started first time. Now I'm worried. I didn't find a fault and dread being stuck somewhere with a dead Defender.

Thank you everyone, I'll make sure I take all my tools everywhere

Sofasurfer said:

Cleaned everything I could find with wirewool and WD40, started first time. Now I'm worried. I didn't find a fault and dread being stuck somewhere with a dead Defender.

Thank you everyone, I'll make sure I take all my tools everywhere

Click to expand...

Did you check the ignition? I had the same kind of issues for ages - i would investigate and find some bad or corroded connection somewhere, clean it up.. everything fine for a while only to be presented with the same problem eventually... took me ages to narrow it down to the ignition.

disconnect battery and set a multimeter to audible continuity checking and test the 12v perment supply (brown wire) and main ignition (white wire) prongs on the ignition switch while you rotate it through stages 0, 1 & 2. beep should stay continuous and strong in positions 1 & 2, itermittent beeping or "chattering" means your switch is worn.

Thank you for that, I have a multi meter, I will do as you say.