Defender 200TDI not starting - HELP PLEASE!

Hello folks

I am totally new to Defender ownership and I really don't know what I am doing, but I'd like to fix this myself.

When I turn the key in the ignition, all of the required lights light up on the dash, I can put my lights on etc, so I believe this isn't an issue with my battery. However, when I go to turn the engine over I get nothing. No click on the solenoid on the starter, no chugging noise of the engine trying to turn over, nothing happens.

I believe this is an electrical issue somewhere, but have no idea. I've read threads on this forum and get totally lost when running extra cables to the starter motor etc are mentioned.

My electrical knowledge is pretty much non existent, for context, this week I taught myself how to wire a new plug onto an old fridge. But I want to learn, so please be gentle .

Oh I almost forgot, my car is a Land Rover Defender 200TDI pickup on an 1992 plate.

Edit: One thing I forgot to mention is that after a few tries the engine will start. A bit of a weird problem
Thanks for any advice
Vince

Check the push on wire on the starter. It may have just popped off. Just pop it back on.

Great, I will have a look at that. Is the push wire obvious on the starter?
Cheers

Yes,, it's the smaller, much smaller one.
If it slips on and off the terminal easy then crimp it slightly so it fits tight.

Flossie said:

Yes,, it's the smaller, much smaller one.
If it slips on and off the terminal easy then crimp it slightly so it fits tight.

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Super, thanks Flossie. I'll have a look this evening

If its a genuine 200tdi defender the trigger wire on the starter is a right cnut to get to, in fact its almost impossible, but as the wire runs the length of the starter and around the back of the cylinder head you may be able to put it under a little tension and get someone else to try the key and if it turns every time, either spend an age age putting a new connector on or keep the wire under tension with a cable tie.
My def 200 has had a few starter motors mainly due to water/mud getting in them so you may find yours has had an interesting past life!

Also unlike modern cars the whole current for the solenoid trigger wire passes through the ignition switch so your issue may be that end, pop the binnacle out (4 screws) and you will see its a decent sized fat cable on the back of the switch itself, Iirc white with a tracer possibly red but cant remember!

As has been said if it is connected then maybe a fubared starter. Mine packed up last week. New starter cured it

Thank you for all of your help and advice guys.

I found the problem today and I'm some what embarrassed.

I didn't realise my Defender had a hidden kill switch wired into the ignition. Recently I haven't emptied the many empty coffee cups from the dashboard, and there was one resting up against the switch, but not enough to break the circuit completely. The switch was bang in the center hence the dodgy starting.

My Defender now starts perfectly, and while I was at it I managed to fix my heater. Today was a good day.

Thanks again
Vince

Cheap/free fixes are always the best

lynall said:

Cheap/free fixes are always the best

Click to expand...

Haha yeah they are always the best.