Defender 90 Starting problem can't resolve - help please

Hi everyone,

New here and looking for some guidance please? My 1987 Land Rover 90,which has a later 200 tdi engine has spent more time in the local garage than at my house in the past month. It all started when I gave the car a thorough wash! Having washed it I jumped in and went to start it, and oddly it struggled to turn over and then I had smoke coming from the battery area. I called the RAC who did some tests and said the battery cut off switch needed replacing. He bypassed it started fine, so I drove it up to my local garage to replace the batt cut off which they did.

I drove it home, and the next day it started fine, initially. I took her out to but a Christmas tree, came back to the car and it was completely dead as if the battery was dead. I got a toe from the farmer to bump start her, and all was good, drove home. I recharged the battery, but when I tried to start it just gave a series of fast clicks. The battery was 9 months old, so didn't suspect any probs there. Called RAC, who diagnosed starter motor failure which seemed in line with my thoughts. Send back to my local garage who agreed and replaced the starter motor, and also put a new heavy duty battery on also. I picked it up yesterday, she started lovely, better than in the past, I was very pleased etc. Jumped in this morning, switched on battery cut off as normal, started immediately, perfect I though, and just moved her on the driveway. I came back half an hour later (I didnt leave the battery cut off switch on, it was off) switched batt on went to start and click, click, click again......then tried again, lights on dash and nothing. So far I've spent £600 and I don't seem to be any further forward. I'm thinking it may actually be something simple / electrical but any help or thoughts would be appreciated. Sorry for long explanation but it's the full detail! Appreciate any suggestions.

Dodgy cut off switch

Thanks for response, cut off switch was new, but I know they are quite cheap, you think I should get another?

First simple check, remove and check all the battery/engine earth leads, dont just look, physically remove them clean and refit a couple of extra earths from engine to chassis and chassis to battery wont hurt, the 200 earthing system is rubbish disco and defender.

If you have a set of jump leads next time it wont go run a lead from battery negative post direct to the engine if it starts proves weak earths, In the end with mine I made and fitted all new starter/earth cables.

An old response but give the earths a good clean. You say it started after a good wash? Did you power wash it. Could have put water where it shouldnt be. Or rust has grown around earth points???

Thanks, really appreciate the responses

Yes I don't know if it was a coincidence or not, but the troubles did start after a really good wash, not power wash but I was very liberal with the water that day, cleaning foot wells inside as well I don't understand though why it would start ok for a bit, and then problems again. My garage clearly thought they had fixed it as well...

Ps.... I didn't get a farmers toe, he gave me a tow lol

Sounds like a bad earth, remove the cut off switch and see if this cures your problem, I'm sure it will.