Defender Starting problem

Hi Guys,

having a bit of a problem starting the landy, Was working fine for weeks and then one day was just about to go to work, turned the key and it just clicked.

Does this every time.

I checked all the connections to the starter (which was replaced about 2 months ago), they seemed fine.

Cheched the battery and there was plenty power in it.

Iv checked the earths, cleaned them up and they seem to be in good condition.

had a read on here and looked like it could have been a problem with the solenoid so i replaced that and still exactly the same.

Anybody got any ideas on this as im completely puzzled

Cheers

You've checked the usual

Ignition switch?

Yup checked that aswell, all fine.

Wierd how it just happened, working fine one day then not the next without doing anything to it.

Try a different battery......the amperage may be low?

life2short said:

Try a different battery......the amerage may be low?

Click to expand...

It wouldn't just click.

Stuck starter solenoid, buggered starter motor or bad earth.

I have replaced the solenoid and it hasnt made any diference, the starter was replaced about 2 months ago, could it have worn out that quickly?

The negative on the batery goes to a bolt on the gearbox. I took this off and cleaned the connections at both ends. Is there any other earths i should check?

Well worth checking the earth from the engine to the chassis - think it's somewhere near the starter motor.

Sorry - took it you'd checked all the earths - this one a strong contender for the problem.

If you want to check first - run a jump lead from the negative battery post to the engine block - if it turns over you know you have an engine earth fault

Starter jammed? Would explain the fact that you're only getting a click and you've checked the obvious things.

Could have some muck in it? Either way, try to start it again and if it clicks then whack the starter with something reasonably hefty. If it still doesn't start then rock the Defender back and forth in first with the handbrake off on a level surface where it's no going to run away.

All battery connections clean and tight? Loose pos terminal can give same symptoms. Do your lights dim when trying to crank? If not suggests starter not drawing current so look at solenoid then starter brushes. Older solenoids could be shorted with a heavy spanner but some you cant do this. Not sure what type you have. My TD5 cant be done this way.

As said run a boost cable from battery neg to engine block to rule out earth cabling.

If still no go then run a fly lead from battery pos to switched solenoid connection to rule out ignition switch. Careful as it will be live and the starter may crank. Easiest and safest way is to connect solenoid end first and then hold it on battery end.

If still no go then either solenoid shagged or starter jammed.

The chassis earth is crappy it is just crimped on to the wire that goes to the bolt on the gear box, the crap can get in there and increase the resistance of the earth lead(happened to me)

I had similar problem before so i took the starter motor off and connected it to the battery with jump leads and used another wire to work the solenoid, It worked a treat so when i reassembled ,i replaced the spade at the solenoid, cleaned up all connections. Still the starter turned slowly, Stuck the jump lead on to the neg and the block worked fine, So i replaced the earth lead.

I drilled a hole on one of the exaust brackets on the chassis and bolted the lead there with a ring connector soldered on and then from there to the back of the gear box again with soldered ring connectors, covered in a bit of vaseline. Hey presto problem solved.

When i removed the old earth lead where the chassis connection had been crimped on the was a load of gunk and discolouration, I mentioned it to the MOT man and he said it would have increased its resistance significantly.

Well with the earths replaced i have no probs now

took the starter motor out tonight and cleaned it out.

then connected the starter to a fully charged batery,

The cog on the starter that (if im right) should slide out and rotate, catching the flywheel and turning the engine doesnt rotate.

It only slides out.

would this meen the started is nakerd?

i had the same symtoms we mine.
i made a nice thick earth lead up, and took it off one of the big bolts that hold the starter on, to the earth lead that comes off the bat to the gearbox, bolted them both to the gearbox, all seems ok now.

doesnt seem to be a problem with the earths as it has the same problem when out of the engine as it does when its all connected up in the engine

Ok solenoid is doing its job by pushing it out, it should be getting the juice and turning being a new solenoid it should be switching the juice over, worth checking though, Could be knackerd bushes, Strip it down it is easy enough the bushes usually have a little wear line on them or sometimes they get stuck in the brush holder, You can get replacement bushes but i usually replace the starter. Not had any probs with the britpart ones, but i wouldnt use a britpart alternator for love or money

Where abouts are you HH?

Turned out to be the cogs on the starter motor, smashed into loads of little pieces.

Im near inverness mate, urself?

the starter solenoid arm may be stuck or maybe missing teeth on the flywheel or starter pinion gear?

Hairyhighlander said:

Turned out to be the cogs on the starter motor, smashed into loads of little pieces.

Im near inverness mate, urself?

Click to expand...

Perth, I was only asking 'coz my old starter was sitting doing nothing.

check the relays in the fuse box mine went and then the starter motor wasn't far behind