Does the 19J have a starter relay?

Having an issue where mine occasionally wont start. I turn the key and there is nothing, no click or anything. It seems to be getting more where it wont start than when it will.

Looking at the haynes manual is a bit misleading as at one point it states only a certain year onwards has a relay (think it was 99), but the wiring diagram for my year (89) states it does???

Anyone know for sure?

Why not just have a look and see?

nobber said:

Why not just have a look and see?

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I have already, but there is nothing on the inside of the fuse box cover to say there is one.

There are three relays in there, one is the flasher unit and the other two I have no idea what they are, but they are both metal and gold in colour.

I found another of these units behind the speedo and swapped it out with what I think "maybe" the starter relay but it didn't start after swapping them over.

It did start 10 mins later after I had put the speedo and fuse box back in, and then proceeded to start for another 10 or so times, so I went in had a brew then tried to start it 30 mins later.

Nothing...

So I'm no closer to finding the underlying problem.

lofty69 said:

I have already, but there is nothing on the inside of the fuse box cover to say there is one.

There are three relays in there, one is the flasher unit and the other two I have no idea what they are, but they are both metal and gold in colour.

I found another of these units behind the speedo and swapped it out with what I think "maybe" the starter relay but it didn't start after swapping them over.

It did start 10 mins later after I had put the speedo and fuse box back in, and then proceeded to start for another 10 or so times, so I went in had a brew then tried to start it 30 mins later.

Nothing...

So I'm no closer to finding the underlying problem.

Click to expand...

I don't think there is a relay, if there is I have not met it in five years of rolling resto and use of mine. Doesn't seem to be in the wiring Dia. in my manual either.
Your problem could be caused by loose connections, bad earths, a sticking solenoid, or a faulty ignition switch. Even loose battery terminals could be worth alook.

Turboman said:

I don't think there is a relay, if there is I have not met it in five years of rolling resto and use of mine. Doesn't seem to be in the wiring Dia. in my manual either.
Your problem could be caused by loose connections, bad earths, a sticking solenoid, or a faulty ignition switch. Even loose battery terminals could be worth alook.

Click to expand...

The haynes manual wiring diagram shows a starter relay for my year (1989).

I did clean the earth strap from the start to the engine the other day and I've just noticed that the battery cut off switch wiring wasn't the best so I've just this minute connected the earth back to the battery properly and it's started the last 10 or so times, but it's done that before so I'm going to try it again later.

Thanks for the reply.

lofty69 said:

The haynes manual wiring diagram shows a starter relay for my year (1989).

I did clean the earth strap from the start to the engine the other day and I've just noticed that the battery cut off switch wiring wasn't the best so I've just this minute connected the earth back to the battery properly and it's started the last 10 or so times, but it's done that before so I'm going to try it again later.

Thanks for the reply.

Click to expand...

A relay is shown in the Haynes manual, and in the all models all markets composite diagram in the LR manual. The specific diagram for 2.5 diesel does not show a relay, as you say the earlier models probably didn't have it. Physical inspection may be best, if you can see any numbers on the relays you do have you can look them up on the net.
Hope the earthing and connection cleaning gets a result anyway!

Just been out again and it didn't start!

However, it did start when I lifted the key and turned it... but that could be coincedence as it's done this before.

So, I'll leave it again and try lifting the key again later.

I take it when you say the ignition switch you mean the switch at the rear of the barrel and not something on the barrel itself?

I'm going to order an new one anyway I think.

Thanks again.

Cheers Turboman.. issue resolved - it was the ignition switch, the old one was cracked and was obviously not turning.

Just for info ... A relay and a solenoid are the same thing!

The relay on the starter motor is usually referred to as the 'solenoid'

Oldseadog said:

Just for info ... A relay and a solenoid are the same thing!

The relay on the starter motor is usually referred to as the 'solenoid'

Click to expand...

I agree, but in this case it appears that some models have an additional relay that switches power to the solenoid piggybacked on the starter motor.
Mine doesn't have it( I think?) but another relay is shown in the all markets, all models wiring diagram in LR manual.

never seen a relay on starter ,but in fuse box

jamesmartin said:

never seen a relay on starter ,but in fuse box

Click to expand...

Even on earlier models james?

Turboman said:

Even on earlier models james?

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yes , early just took feed from switch for solenoid ,then later through relay at botom of fuse board

jamesmartin said:

yes , early just took feed from switch for solenoid ,then later through relay at botom of fuse board

Click to expand...

That's what I thought, and what it seemed to say in the manual, anyway he sorted it, seen a few of those switches pack up

its a landy people make some interesting wiring "improvements"

jamesmartin said:

its a landy people make some interesting wiring "improvements"

Click to expand...

Too true, not only wiring either!

When I turn my key all the lights come on etc, but doesn't do a thing when you turn to the starting position. Could this be the same problem?

Quite possibly yes, or no. The starter circuit on a 19J is very simple, the ignition switch in 1st position turns on auxiliary equipment (radio) and switches on the rest of the electrics (the big brown and write cables going the switch if I recall), the third (hold against a spring) send power to the glow plugs, the third position switched off power to the auxiliary equipment (radio etc feed), leaves everything else powered, and also sends power down a relitivly small cable to the started solenoid that is part of the starter motor.

The solenoid when closed connects the large cable going from the battery to the starter motor to the starter motor windings, and the starter spins. In some starters the solenoid also pre enguages the starter motor cog into the ring gear by pulling it, some others use a centrifugal gearing system, and some others use other methods (that's why its referred to as a solenoid - not a relay)

Anyway I digress - its unlikely that the main feed to the starter has failed as the feed to the rest of the vehicles systems come off the starter motors +ve terminal (daisy chained onto the end of the direct feed from the battery) The most likely things to check are the ignition switch, and the solenoid, and the cable in between.

You can use a small cable to connect the main feed pin on the starter to the ignition switch terminal, and it should start up - make sure its not in gear before you do this under the vehicle!!!!!!!!!

A multi meter on volts between the cable from the ignition switch cable and a clean non painted bit of the chassis/engine block should come upto >12 volts when the ignition is turned to the start position

Hope this helps you work it out.

Just had similar starting issues with my 1989 110, I found two relays behind the fuse panel linked to the wire from the ignition to the starter solenoid.the problem was the far left relay not pulling in sometimes so not sending 12v to the starter solenoid.replaced relay and now all good.
Hope this helps.

Relay is in the fuse box with the others. It earths in the engine bay, mine was a 19j and that's where mine is