Intermittent STARTING PROBLEM

Hi All,

We've got a 2005 TD4 - around 60k on the clock. Today my wife called to say it wouldn't start.....she'd got me to the station ok but it wouldn't start an hour later. A mate popped over and when he tried it it started ok. In the evening it started ok but when we stopped for fuel it wouldn't start once again. Turning the key got a good 'pre start' noise but it wouldn't kick the engine in. Then one more try and it started again.
So, is this a sign of something that needs be sorted or could it be some poor quality fuel we got from the supermarket last week?
Battery fully charged, starter motor seems ok as it did start eventually.
Any advice, as always, veyr gratefully received.
Cheers
Rikky

Very possibly the starter solenoid contacts. Suggest you read here -

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/help-not-starting-69223.html

Hi,
Thanks for that. There isn't a 'clicking' sound as the whole system seems about to start up but then it just fails to kick in.........although it does then start ever now and again.........would that be the solenoid?

Cheers

Rikky

When you say a "good pre start noise", do you mean the starters turning the engine over but it just won't fire.. or the starter motor won't actually turn?

possibly camshaft sensor ,or fuel pump issue, unlikely to be fuel quality

When you say a "good pre start noise", do you mean the starters turning the engine over but it just won't fire.. or the starter motor won't actually turn?

Basically the starter is tunring the engine but it just fails to start.......but only now and again. For example it started without a problem this morning...........hope that helps.

Thanks - Rikky

Ah, that's different. I think some on here, including me, thought the started was not spinning the engine.....

try the cam shaft sensor this is typical when stopped while hot then will not start. until it cools down a bit then starts.

Thanks to you all for your time and advice.........camshaft sensor looking likely as the problem given the issue.
Just a quick one.........any advice re part such as where to buy, price, should I go with landrover approved etc?
Cheers

I had a LR one to replace it that was on my old Freelander but carry a spare on my new Freelander, i got it of eBay but it was a genuine one

Assuming your LP fuel pump/s are running, it's most likely the camshaft sensor or a dodgy injector.

Take your camshaft sensor off (piece of cake - one bolt, one connector) and put it in the fridge for while. When cold, replace it and see if it starts then. If it's still playing up then it's time to do a leak-back test on your injectors.

It could also be the fuel-rail pressure sensor. Give the connector a clean up anyway while you're taking the camshaft sensor off

potential leaky injector - leak back test will prove or disprove

Thanks again to you all for your considered advice. Very useful. As it is the cars amber warning light came on for a few seconds yesterday, when the car had been driven for an hour, but then went out again..........is that connected to the sensor?

I'll change the camshaft sensor and hope that cures it. Cheers again

Rikky

if it turns over as it should just doesn't fire my bet would be on a fault injector.

My TD4 ran really well once started but just wouldn't start correctly, 1 bad injector replaced and it starts every time.

Thanks for the advice roccotune. Having had a good review of the whole forum it seems that it's EITHER the camshaft sensor OR a bad injector.........
Of interest the car started first time this morning, 2 minute journey to get some fuel and then the car wouldn't start! I got my wife to turn the key and I hit the cover next to the oil cap, which I believe is over the camshaft sensor........and it started!
Does this mean anything? ie could that point to the camshaft sensor?
Hope that doesn't confuse the issue..........I'm going to have time to get under the bonnet this evening so if anyone has any pearls of wisdom please do share.
Thanks

Great..............that's my first option.........will let you know how it goes.

Thanks again

Burn it