Intermittent Starter trouble.

Hello all, my first post so forgive my green-ness.

I've a 2003 1.8 Petrol Freelander, and every once in a while the engine refuses to turn over. There seems to be plenty of power as the radio and other electrics work OK but nothing from the starter, it bump starts OK and just to confuse matters it will turn over using jump leads?? It the battery was shot I'd expect the lights to dim or the starter to turn over slowly when turning the ignition... but they don't.

Any ideas?...

yup green man. . . . .get yer batt load checked furst. . . .if that is good could be yer starter solenoid fooked [bad news its all part of the starter] so next time it plays up wack the starter wiff a hammer ,if it go's then keep a hammer wiff you

Thanks Ming - the ole saying rings true... "If you can't fix it with a hammer... you've got an electrical problem".

There's a single wire with spade connector on the starter, its the live feed from the ignition, check its connection.

I used to think this was the earth wire ,until I checked wiring diagrams, the starter is earthed via its casing to the engine.

When you jump start it are you connecting the earth to the battery on your landy or to the chassis? If it is the chassis then try connecting it to the battery. If it wont start then then you have an earth fault. If you are already connecting to the battery to jump it I would advise you to get your battery drop tested to see if it's duff.