Freelander won't start...

Hi All,

Sorry to join up and post a problem right away, I've had a good look through the site at the common probs etc. but can't find what I'm looking for. I have the non-beemer engined (L-series?) Freelander (and yes, I know it's gay) and the bloody thing won't start. I recently had intermittent starting probs which were fixed with a starter motor from the scrappy (aparently the old one was hanging on by one bolt and was knackered) - this seems different though.

I'll tell the whole story in case any of it helps...

Lot's of rain around here recently and was having 'fun' ploughing through some deep puddles the other evening on my way home. Next day it started fine and off I went into town, parked on a relatively steep hill facing up. When I got back the bugger wouldn't start - I had to wait for a sufficient gap behind me to bump start it backwards. Got it home, onto my nice flat driveway, and thinking the starter had seized again, turned the ignition briefly to 'start' before turning it off (this worked in the past, freeing the stuck starter) - however I didn't get the normal noise you would expect when doing this.

Turned it off and now it won't start again. The battery is fine, there is a relay clicking type noise from behind the dash when I turn the key to 'start' but absolutely no noise from the engine bay, with the stuck starter I used to hear a loudish click from there too.

Anyone have any ideas what this might be or some diagnostic steps I can take? I'm no mechanic but can use a spanner/screwdriver/voltmeter...

I'm thinking I should test that there is power to the starter first, so off out to do that now - be back when my balls are frozen

Thanks, Happy Easter

Nick

i would check the wiring and thin wire(at starter). obiously relay is ok.if no power at thin switch wire ( get someone to try wi ignition key while you test for live)take a live from heavy one and short it on terminal. if it turns stater. then wire has beak in it. if power at thin wire and heavy wire, solenoid is prob buggered

Thanks for that, you're a marvel!

I didn't have anyone here to turn the key so went straight to plan B. Ran a wire from the battery live to the thin wire and hey presto, it turned over. I then tried starting it with the key and it fired up first time. Not sure what that was all about but at least it's running now.

Your help is very much appreciated, can I send you some beer tokens?

Got to hurry up and sell it now before anything else goes wrong - see you in the For Sale section!

Thanks again,

Nick

glad to help. prob just a dirty connection or a break near end of wire. try and stretch wire if it stretches just replace a length of it. but chech connection is clean first.