dodgy starter?

i have a 96 300 tdi disco and on occasions it refuses to start, all the dash lights are on,and i can hear the relays behind the glovebox clicking but the starter doesnt budge. usually it just starts if i keep trying sometimes it can take 20 mins of key turnig other times just 2 turns of the key has any body any ideas before i lash out on a new stater?

I had a similar problem with my old Tdi 300 and replaced all of the glow plugs which sorted it out straight away. I couldn't believe how knackered the old ones were.

worth trying mate cheers

Glow plugs aren't really going to stop the starter turning though are they???

Check all connections, relay and grounding. If these are ok i would suggest a new starter, for a temporary fix - keep a hammer in the car and give it a clout (may work, depends on what the problem is)

Could be classic 300tdi immobiliser SPIDER fault, I would certainly be looking into this before forking out £80, when it may only cost 80 pence!

The next time it fails, try directly connecting the starter to turn it over by taking a small piece of wire from the big POS terminal to the little spade terminal - does it start - if yes probably the spider OR if you have a multimeter put that on the wire that goes to the spade on the starter, the neg pin to a good ground (earth strap for starter will do) and get someone to turn the key - do you get 12V here? If so it probabaly is the starter - then at that it's a strip the solenoid job to fix.

Centre dash strip down job and a simple soldering exercise will fix this. Pry the box apart, and with the circuitboard sitting up with the plug facing away from you, link with a piece of wire pins 2 and 4 together, and pins 3 and 5 together (pin number based on the top 5 pins).

OR get the official bypass part that LR make (not woth the money when you can solder it yourself.

You can also FIX the problem by re-soldering all the solder joins at the back because it's dry solder joints that cause this issue - however when you need to strip the dash everytime it happens (it will happen again) it's not really worth it.

There are other fixes such as running new wires and things, but the dash strip is not so bad.

jh2leicester said:

I had a similar problem with my old Tdi 300 and replaced all of the glow plugs which sorted it out straight away. I couldn't believe how knackered the old ones were.

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That has nothing to do with his starter not spinning.

The 300tdi shouldn't even need them unless it's low on compression - even in the winter.

thanks discomania 4 the advice most informative and a lot cheaper!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cawl said:

i have a 96 300 tdi disco and on occasions it refuses to start, all the dash lights are on,and i can hear the relays behind the glovebox clicking but the starter doesnt budge. usually it just starts if i keep trying sometimes it can take 20 mins of key turnig other times just 2 turns of the key has any body any ideas before i lash out on a new stater?

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I'd have a look at the engine earthing straps. Given the age of your car the chances are the connections are corroded and not providing good electrical contact.
Two straps, one from -ve terminal on battery to offside chassis leg, the second from nearside chassis leg ( bolt near engine mount) to starter mounting bolt.
Undo each of the the bolted connections, clean surfaces to bright metal, reassemble and cover with grease.

ta nicedayforit will defo be checking the earth points then thanjs for info