Engine starting issues.....plz help!!

Hi everybody.

I have recently upgraded my old freelander to a facelift 04 plate hardback.

Suddenly today, i have issues starting the vehicle, which i have not experienced before.

Put the key in the ignition and turn, with all the dash lights illuminated, and turn to turn over, it clicks but doesn't start, (like an immoboliser kicking in),its not, as you here that initialise and you can here the fuel pump wurring away at the rear.

The lights then reapper. I tried again, it then cranked but did not fire, on the third attempt it did fire and start, vehicle drove fine after that. Its happened three times since in the same day, sometimes starts first time, sometimes second time around.

If anyone could help or point to what it could be that would be great.

Like i said after the initial problem, it drives fine.....very strange.

Regards

Lloyd

Hi , the click you here is it from the starter , or inside the car ?

it sounds as though the contacts have gone in your starter

Hi, well i think it clicks. Can definatly hear the fuel pumps wurring, and thats from inside the vehicle. First time of trying nothing, like it was a dead battery. Will check out my connections on starter and maybe the ignition solenoid. Second time, just cranked but slowly, and didn't fire, third time within a few seconds of each try, it started!!!

Can't see it being fuel related, as vehicle is driving fine and it has started fine in the past.

Thanks.

floydy634 said:

Hi, well i think it clicks. Can definatly hear the fuel pumps wurring, and thats from inside the vehicle. First time of trying nothing, like it was a dead battery. Will check out my connections on starter and maybe the ignition solenoid. Second time, just cranked but slowly, and didn't fire, third time within a few seconds of each try, it started!!!

Can't see it being fuel related, as vehicle is driving fine and it has started fine in the past.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

If its the starter that clicks , then prob ,worn starter solenoid contacts you can get a repair kit , with instructions from repairkitsuk for £12.15

Further update.

Tried again this morning - didn't crank. Second try - cranked but very slowly. Third try - fired up straight away.

Every try i noticed the lights on my dash dim, and my dash clock, kept dissapearing. But the battery light goes out everytime.

Strange that its fine after a few attempts, if the battery was dead, i would have nothing all the time

What else could it be? Contacts somewhere.

All ideas appreciated.

Thanks.

sounds like your starter motor

As post 5 and Ian's suggestions.

I had this problem. New battery solved it. ( when aa tested battery they said it was fine?) I got my battery from carparts4less. Arrived next morning.

Hi guys,
like the last post stated, thinks its the battery. I checked it with a battery tester, said it was ok, and volts wasn't dropping, still wouldn't start. Put a heavy duty battery booster on it, it started 1st time, did that a few times - ok.

Just strange symptoms for a duff battery.

Thanks for all your help.

Could be one of the cells breaking down, did you use a heavy discharge meter to test or a hydrometer ? Heavy discharge meter should show a faulty cell as the voltage will rapidly drop then build back up for the next time you test.

Other cause would be alternator related , keep an eye on it , and check the drive belt ! hope the new battery sorts it

you will be giving more power to the starter and thus making contact work but when you do not have the extra power you will be in the same position not starting until it gives up alltogether the new contacs in the solinoid are quite easy to replace , take the battery of and battery stand , undo the pos terminal lead on the starter and pul the other wire off , then there are three bolts 2 of them you can see on the starter and the 3rd is just above the gear box ,that is why you have to take the battery and stand off , and you will have instructions with your new parts on how to do it

I used a bus 24v/12v heavy load tester, it did drop slightly but not in the red, but i do know that its been playing up recently. So i used a 12 volt booster on the battery, and it was fine, did this a few times, was ok. Took the booster off, went back to same problem. Did the necessary checks on the starter, and gave it a smack with a hammer before checking battery and it seemed fine. Had a colleague of mine check it out, electrician and he thinks the recent cold snap has killed a couple of cells in the battery, not enough to crack it over, as its a heavy load diesel engine.

Will fit battery tommorow.

Thanks again.