Ignition Problem

For some reason my 2001 Defender has started playing up.

When I turn the ignition key nothing happens for the first few tries but then it does start up after a few tries.

I had a new starter motor fitted which cost me £270!! but this has not resolved the issue.

When I asked the garage if it could be a problem with the battery in the key fob they said no.

Anybody any ideas what the issue could be if not the starter motor or key fob?

Thanks

Ignition switch. My mates did exactly the same and he changed starter, battery, fuel solenoid, cleaned up the battery earth points and it all made no difference. A multimeter on the starter solenoid feed showed a momentary voltage when turning the key to crank. If the key was only turned halfway to the crank position it would start lovely. Changed the ignition switch and problem sorted. This was on a 200tdi though.

If you're talking about a TD5 (guessing by the year) then it get s a whole lot more complicated. Is the starter cranking but the engine wont fire?

Yep - it's a TD5

When you turn the key nothing happens at all

Marrow said:

Yep - it's a TD5

When you turn the key nothing happens at all

Click to expand...

Is the alarm arming and disarming properly?

No the alarm wont set which is why I asked the garage if it could be the key fob

Marrow said:

No the alarm wont set which is why I asked the garage if it could be the key fob

Click to expand...

That'll be why it wont do anything then.

Have you got a second fob/spare fob battery?

Both key fobs are doing the same - I have two spare batteries.

If it was the key fob thought, why would it start after about the third or forth attempt

Marrow said:

Both key fobs are doing the same - I have two spare batteries.

If it was the key fob thought, why would it start after about the third or forth attempt

Click to expand...

Good point which hopfully we'll get to.

It doesn't start at all now though right?

I suspect there may have been/still is a fault with the ignition switch.

It is possible that now the key fobs have come out of synch with the alarm/immobiliser.

How long have you had the vehicle?

Have you recently taken the batteries out of the keyfobs to see if they are ok.

Assuming you have cos why else would you have spares.

First, take one of the batteries out of your key fob.
hold both buttons down for about 30 seconds.
Put the battery back in.
Go and try to arm/disarm the alarm.

If the alarm/imobliser works then you should be able to start it.

It does start ok but only after turning the key three or four times, then it fires up OK.

However, will try your suggestion and if that doesn;t work I will fit a new battery

Marrow said:

It does start ok but only after turning the key three or four times, then it fires up OK.

However, will try your suggestion and if that doesn;t work I will fit a new battery

Click to expand...

Hang on a bit

Marrow said:

Yep - it's a TD5

When you turn the key nothing happens at all

Click to expand...

This bit got me going down the wrong road

Feck it try it anyway you got nuthin to lose.

Just to confirm - I turn the key three or four times and nothing happens. Then on about the fourth turn the engine fires up as normal but this is intermitent i.e. sometimes the engine will fire up on the first turn of the key.

Sorry for the confusion

Marrow said:

Just to confirm - I turn the key three or four times and nothing happens. Then on about the fourth turn the engine fires up as normal but this is intermitent i.e. sometimes the engine will fire up on the first turn of the key.

Sorry for the confusion

Click to expand...

Okay

And the alarm will not arm......at all?

No - the red light is flashing on the dashboard but when I press the buttons on the keyfob it does not alarm or stop the red light flashing

Marrow said:

No - the red light is flashing on the dashboard but when I press the buttons on the keyfob it does not alarm or stop the red light flashing

Click to expand...

Okay

Have you reset yr key fob like I said earlier?

Will have to wait until lunchtime as I am work!

Will let you know

I suggest you splash out on a new battery for one of the fobs to remove any doubt whether that might be the problem. After fitting new battery, pressing the "lock" button 8 times with the ignition on should relearn it. It sounds like the immobiliser is staying on whilst you're trying to start it those first few times which may indicate a duff battery in the fob, remembering that they could both be at least 10 years old!

Guys/Gals

I have now inserted a new battery and it looks as if this has resolved the issue. Now just have to go and see the nice man at the garage and ask him why he installed a new starter motor for £270 when I didn't actually need one!!

That's got to hurt Marrow

At £270 I'm guessing that was a main dealer rather than a local garage? If so, they should know better!

I paid £160 fitted for my starter pre Christmas - not sure if the TD5 ones are significntly more expensive or harder to fit, but £110 more feels quit a bit