Defender 90 Engine Won't Turn Over Fast Enough To Start?

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MikeC295

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Hi, I am new to the forum so please go easy on me :)

I have a 1984 Land Rover 90 that has been stood now for about 6 months as I got a '05 Defender for reliabilty but I would like to get the other one going again.

The problem I have is when I try and start it the engine won't crank over very fast at all, it almost sounds as though the battery is completely flat but I've fully charged the battery and also used the jump leads from my other Defender and it still has the same results.

As you'll know it's a little bit snowy here and the temp is around -1 to +3ish. Not sure if it's going to be worth putting some small heaters in the engine bay to get it warmed up?

If anyone has any ideas as to why it won't crank over very fast or any other methods I could try that would be great.

One more thing I forgot to say it's a 2.5 N/A engine but it's had an aftermarket turbocharger put on it. Last time I started it up 6months ago it ran absolutely fine and would start no problem, this was after it had again stood for around 6 months doing nothing so I am thinking it could maybe just be the cold?

Anyway if people have any ideas I would be extremely greatful.

Mike
 
Sounds like ya battery is goosed. try putting the earth lead on jump leads direct to chassis and disconnect the live cable from the NA's battery so the charge from the td5 is bypassing the NA's battery completely.
 
The battery is charged you say but has it got the current to start the engine?

Could also be an cable problem, if the earth or live is not clean and connected well it won't let the hugh starting current through to start the engine.

When you turn the key with say the interior light on does it dip very low when the starter is struggling away? If so it is probably the battery that is dead.

To see if it is the battery, bring it inside and let it warm up for a day, then take it out and try starting the landy, if it starts like that it's probably the battery is past it's best and cannot produce enough current at low temp, at 0° you are down to about 80% of the CCA, if the battery is only working at about 80% due to age etc... it will be even less.
 
Thanks for the fast replies!

I have noticed when I try to start it that the radio goes off and then comes back on again after I've stopped trying to start it but not noticed the lights dip to be honest although I will check this tonight when I get back.

I will also try disconneting the battery completely from the circuit as said by redhand. Although if the battery is completely duff wouldn't just having the jump leads connected bypass this anyway or would to much of the charge be drawn straight into the duff battery?

If it turns out not to be the battery is there any chance that the engine could sieze up and be really stiff to turn or does this not happen?

One of the things I noticed when trying to jump start it BEFORE I had charged the battery up fully was that the jump leads would start smoking a little however since I charged the battery they no longer smoke but it still doesn't crank the engine very fast - not sure if that means anything but thought I'd let you know anyway.

Again thanks for the fast replies and friendly welcome :)
 
Engine should be fine, it's just if water can get into them, they can sit for years and then with a fresh battery it will start up no problem. Petrols suffer from stale fuel issues but diesels should be fine.
 
Well unfortunately after taking the battery out of the circuit it still wont turn over very fast at all, it's maybe very slightly quicker but it melted my jump leads trying! What I found was that when I'd first turn it there would be a surge of power and the jump leads actually did jolt and move by themselves as the power went through then the engine would turn over but this would slow after a second.

So tomorrow I am going to Halfords to get a new battery - any ideas on what type would be best? I'll also get some heavy duty jump leads and see how I get on with that.

Does this sound like there aren't enough amps been allowed through the jump leads or could it be something more serious wrong with the engine?

Cheers for all the help.
 
MikeC295 said:
Well unfortunately after taking the battery out of the circuit it still wont turn over very fast at all, it's maybe very slightly quicker but it melted my jump leads trying! What I found was that when I'd first turn it there would be a surge of power and the jump leads actually did jolt and move by themselves as the power went through then the engine would turn over but this would slow after a second.

So tomorrow I am going to Halfords to get a new battery - any ideas on what type would be best? I'll also get some heavy duty jump leads and see how I get on with that.

Does this sound like there aren't enough amps been allowed through the jump leads or could it be something more serious wrong with the engine?

Cheers for all the help.
Click to expand...

corse it will melt ya jump leads - they are meant to allow a quick boost of your battery - not replace it. have yu seen the size of starter motor cables?

Lots of Halfords have few batteries left - so check first - and get the biggest, most powerfull one that you can fit.

as for the switch - depends where it is.
 
Would a 91AH one be alright?

As for the switch it's just after the battery mounted on the metal base part under the passenger seat if you get me?
 
wot Sean says is the cheapest option, but if yu must go to Halfrauds, check which is the biggest size you can fit - then get the biggest CCA you can afford.
 
Want to try and get it going fairly soon so will have to pop into Halfrauds unfortunately. I think I will go with the HB019 as you say, this should fit in but will measure up just to be sure.

I still have a feeling that it's not going to crank over very fast though with this in as in the past when I have jump started it there was no problem getting it to turn over fast enough although it wasen't as cold then. Will see how it goes tomorrow night (if the battery comes fully charged up - does anyone know if they do?)
 
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