Intermittent starter motor on TD5

Have a strange problem, every now and then (becoming more frequent now), when turning the key there is just a click and no start. then after retrying a few time it just fires up and away.
Any suggestions before I start shelling loads of cash?

It seems to me like it jams and wont engage, can it be solved with a bit of grease? is it a common fault?

Hope you can help (again)
Gordy

gordon.jackson said:

Have a strange problem, every now and then (becoming more frequent now), when turning the key there is just a click and no start. then after retrying a few time it just fires up and away.
Any suggestions before I start shelling loads of cash?

It seems to me like it jams and wont engage, can it be solved with a bit of grease? is it a common fault?

Hope you can help (again)
Gordy

Click to expand...

4 options get ur battery checked, dodgy earth, check ur altenator is charging ur battery properly or last replace the starter motor

Seems to be quite common, mine did the same and when I contacted the dealer for a replacement price, the parts guy did confirm that it was a common fault. Don't buy from a main dealer though, way to expensive!

I took my old one apart and the solenoid internal connections were worn.

My Td5 has a similar type of "fault" when I turn the key, hold it in the
start position I can count to two then it starts. It does this every time, hot or cold. Is it faulty or is this "normal".

This sounds like the solenoid terminals are wearing out, the parts are not available in the UK but can be bought from the US for about £18 see my previous post http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f20/starting-motor-42959.html#post347242

lookskyward1 said:

This sounds like the solenoid terminals are wearing out, the parts are not available in the UK but can be bought from the US for about £18 see my previous post http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f20/starting-motor-42959.html#post347242

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That is good to know, it was the solenoid contacts in the ebay link that had worn on mine. £18 is a cheap fix. Luckily I sourced a nearly new one for £40 so did not pay to much!

mine's becoming buggered too... what do i need to do to bypass the solenoid to check if it's that and not the whole blooming motor???

bouyson said:

mine's becoming buggered too... what do i need to do to bypass the solenoid to check if it's that and not the whole blooming motor???

Click to expand...

There are two terminals on the outside of the solenoid, one connects to the battery, the other connects the solenoid to the starter with a short wire. It may be possible to bypass the solenoid by connecting the battery lead directly to the other terminal on the starter.

The best way to check the solenoid is to remove the starter and open the solenoid up and check the terminals, see; Starter Repair Instructions For Denso Starters

great! cheers i will get on it!

Mine's started doing this more and mre frequently now - turn the ignition to start and just a click. After a few times it turns over. I noticed though that you can't hear the fuel pump priming when it won't start. When you hear the fuel pump spin you know it's going to work on the next go.

So do you think it's my starter solenoids or the fuel pump

Cheers
James

Just found and bought the eBay kit to replace the solenoid bits. Will give that a go!

Not looking forward to getting the starter out though

Cost me £10 when I found the bits.

Mine was clicking more and more

Take a look at this on my website, hope it's of help

I'm amazed how many people have got in contact with me about it after finding it on google.

DefenderTD5.co.uk - starterrepair

Have you tried just going underneath with a wire brush and a tub of grease, take of the wires on back of starter and give it all a brush and then coat with grease, then put wires back on. As you will see where it is situated it gets a lot of road crap straight on to it. Mine was doing the same, just getting a solenoid click but nothing else, then on about the 3rd or 4th go it would start, mine has been good now for last 6 months

Right, just replaced the plunger and ONE of the contacts from the £10 eBay kit... Have started it 4 times now and it starts first time....

Replaced the parts in situ as recommended by Adsybear due to the faff of getting the starter out. Plunger and bottom contact were relatively easy - 30 mins job probably. But after spending an hour trying to get some purchase on the top nut to remove the top contact, and with heavy rain now falling, I gave up :5bblush5: sprayed the inside with contact cleaner and put it back together. It seems to have helped so far, what I need to do is get one of those little finger spanners and go back and replace the top contact soon.

Thanks to all for your help! What a cheap fix for £10!!!

James

I have had similar experience, 6 months apart. Seems to be the solenoid at the starter motor. A tap with a piece of wood cured the problem. My attempts to get the starter motor off were not pleasant, the strategic location of the mount bolts make for much unhappiness.
Winjeel

I have read your web item, it is a masterly work; TD5 owners are indebted to you.
It is inconceivable that Land Rover saw fit to build the engine with such dreadful inaccessibility to that nut.
Thanks.
Winjeel

did you get to the bottom of the problem??, im stuk with the same problem, changed starter motor, still the same, just a click from solenoid and relay, isnt the earth cos i took direct from battery, any ideas please

steve c said:

did you get to the bottom of the problem??, im stuk with the same problem, changed starter motor, still the same, just a click from solenoid and relay, isnt the earth cos i took direct from battery, any ideas please

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The contacts wear inside the solenoid - maybe your replacement starter motor (presumably complete with solenoid) is also worn - check to see that you are getting 12v at the small wire that connects to the solenoid when you turn the key to the start position.

Fuel pump! Bang some of the super duper Forte Diesel conditioner through it.

One thing I have found with the td5 is it does not like low levels of fuel in the tank as the pump ony gets hot fuel through (more heat more wear).

I've had far less problems if allways fill to brim from empty each time. Try not to be a £10 here £20 there kind of man. it killed two of my pumps, also genuine filters have been fitted. One or the other has stopped it going wrong since, sadly only fuel related issues.

Good luck.

pindie said:

Fuel pump! Bang some of the super duper Forte Diesel conditioner through it.

One thing I have found with the td5 is it does not like low levels of fuel in the tank as the pump ony gets hot fuel through (more heat more wear).

I've had far less problems if allways fill to brim from empty each time. Try not to be a £10 here £20 there kind of man. it killed two of my pumps, also genuine filters have been fitted. One or the other has stopped it going wrong since, sadly only fuel related issues.

Good luck.

Click to expand...

I think you might be getting confused somewhere along the lines. What has the fuel pump got to do with a starter motor?

Where you reading 2 threads at once?