Freelander TD4 starting after several tries. (FIXED)

Hi. Hope someone can help.

cannot find a thread with same fault being addressed so would appriciate some help. Lately my TD4 takes several tries to start. When turning the ignition I can hear 1 click (starter) but then nothing. Sometimes it starts on 2nd try and other times it takes 6 or more tries.
It occurs both when hot and also when cold.
Also I can hear the fuel pump working. Have cleaned injector connectors and fuel pump connector. Camshaft position sensor connector also cleaned together with ignition barrel (by spraying contact cleaner trough the key hole.)

Not sure if related but upon inspection I only noticed a crack in the Insulation of one of the wires to the 1st injector from the right on the loom. but inside wire looks intact no broken copper. Can anyone suggest where I can buy one and part number?

Thanks

Err, please explain more - you say - "When turning the ignition I can hear 1 click (starter) but then nothing. Sometimes it starts on 2nd try and other times it takes 6 or more tries." - are you saying that the starter only 'clicks' when you TRY to start it ???? or that the starter always turns when you turn the key to start ?
There are several thread on here with similar symptoms. (unless you are referring to failure of starter motor to turn over the engine.)
Joe

Hi Charlot,
Whats your battery condition like ? last time it was changed ?

When I have had problems with diesels of any make starting in cold weather, its been down to the battery even when my audi was only 3 years old. If you put jump leads on to it does it start immediately would be a good check for this.

Could be a sticking starter solenoid, the crack in the insulation sound unrelated but put some insulation tape around, for protection from the elements.

Hope that helps,
Edit: I had a problem with mine, turn key, 1 click from starter then nothing! All electrics dead, the problem for me is the battery moves slightly, which doesn't give a clean contact, I think I have sorted that problem now, final fix is a new battery restraint mechanism.

Joe_H said:

Err, please explain more - you say - "When turning the ignition I can hear 1 click (starter) but then nothing. Sometimes it starts on 2nd try a

nd other times it takes 6 or more tries." - are you saying that the starter only 'clicks' when you TRY to start it ???? or that the starter always turns when you turn the key to start ?
There are several thread on here with similar symptoms. (unless you are referring to failure of starter motor to turn over the engine.)
Joe

Click to expand...

I can hear 1 click from the engine bay and I assume it's the starter. If I put it in 1st gear and turn the ignition it will try to move the car so I am assuming the starter is ok.

As per threads I found similar ones but not that I can relate mine. One of them was about fuel pump not working which in my case can be heard and when starts and driven around there are no problems at all.

Pompey said:

Hi Charlot,
Whats your battery condition like ? last time it was changed ?

When I have had problems with diesels of any make starting in cold weather, its been down to the battery even when my audi was only 3 years old. If you put jump leads on to it does it start immediately would be a good check for this.

Could be a sticking starter solenoid, the crack in the insulation sound unrelated but put some insulation tape around, for protection from the elements.

Hope that helps,
Edit: I had a problem with mine, turn key, 1 click from starter then nothing! All electrics dead, the problem for me is the battery moves slightly, which doesn't give a clean contact, I think I have sorted that problem now, final fix is a new battery restraint mechanism.

Click to expand...

Thank you for the info
battery is 3 months old so can be considered as in workin order and dwlivering the required power. Also no other problems with electrical equipment such as stereo lights etc. Also no warning lights on dash

Hi Charlot, I am sorry but I still do not understand what you are saying - when you turn the key to start - does the engine 'turn over' normally or just a 'click ?
What you are saying seems ambiguous - sorry
Joe

Joe_H said:

Hi Charlot, I am sorry but I still do not understand what you are saying - when you turn the key to start - does the engine 'turn over' normally or just a 'click ?
What you are saying seems ambiguous - sorry
Joe

Click to expand...

Sorry my bad.
Its not turning. About the part wherw I said I tried it on 1st gear and moved its probbably because it was going to start on 1st try. Sorry for the confusion but Im still a newbe in engines and cars. And looks like you need quite some experience to keep a freelander running.

Hello Charlot, please do not be concerned re lack of 'experience' - that is how we all learn !. no worries at all.
Ok, if I am correct, you seem to have the following issue.
When you turn the key to 'start' - the position where the starter motor would normally 'whizz' the engine over. nothing happens apart form a 'click' sound ?
If so, then please try to use jump leads and see if this helps. If not, then check all connections to the battery and the engine / battery grounds - then also of course the batter positive to the starter solenoid terminal.
If all seems ok then consider the starter motor as a possible issue.
Another way to check is to turn the headlight on full and try to start it. If the headlight go dim, then it is probably a battery or connection issue and not the starter - If the lights remain 'bright' it is probably the starter motor / starter motor solenoid.
Hope that helps and good luck sorting it out. Please do not be concerned about asking things here. It is simply that sometimes the description of the fault is hard to comprehend.
Joe.

Thank you for the very detailed Info. Will try what you said and come back with the result.
Learned a lot from the forum in the 1st month owning the freelander. Looks like when solving a problem another pops up. Guess it does that to keep you busy and to test your patience.

Charlot said:

Thank you for the very detailed Info. Will try what you said and come back with the result.
Learned a lot from the forum in the 1st month owning the freelander. Looks like when solving a problem another pops up. Guess it does that to keep you busy and to test your patience.

Click to expand...

You are absolutely welcome - I hope you get a very quick diagnosis and resolution to your issues. And - a huge welcome to the forums here which are simply the best.
Joe

UPDATE. Cleaned connections to starter motor and battery connections. I noticed that the positive terminal was connected but could turn it by hand although the nut was tightened. So disconnected the terminal from the battery and put a copper shim around the terminal and re tightened everything.

Tested and always started on 1st turn. Will see in the comming days if problem is really gone.

Thank you.

Charlot said:

UPDATE. Cleaned connections to starter motor and battery connections. I noticed that the positive terminal was connected but could turn it by hand although the nut was tightened. So disconnected the terminal from the battery and put a copper shim around the terminal and re tightened everything.

Tested and always started on 1st turn. Will see in the comming days if problem is really gone.

Thank you.

Click to expand...

LR ownership is great isn't it

There will always be something

Well done on your fix (which I am confident will prove good over the coming days). Good thinking skills on the copper shim too. For the same reason as you, mine is running with aluminium tin foil wrapped around the post which may "disagree" with the metal that the post and connection are made from and get furry over time, but it is fine for the now.

Good job

I've just fixed the mother in law's V6 (ex mine) because of the dreaded starter click with random starting. I replaced the solonoid plunger and contacts with one of the kits available. Best £16 I've spent on it tbh. It now starts, first time, every time.

Nodge68 said:

I've just fixed the mother in law's V6 (ex mine) because of the dreaded starter click with random starting. I replaced the solonoid plunger and contacts with one of the kits available. Best £16 I've spent on it tbh. It now starts, first time, every time.

Click to expand...

Did it again today although only once out of 3 attempts checked same points as before but everything tight and clean so ordered a starter solenoid refurb kit. Will give it a try. Maybe that's the problem. Will keep updating.

Finally solved. Installed the solenoid kit (plunger and contacts) and works again. Always starts at first try. One of the copper contacts had almost perished and the other was half way there. Plunger was touching only one contact and not both.

Highly reccomended kit as its easy and effective.

Thank you every one for your help