Looking for advice from those who know

I have a 2003 Defender Td5 90. It's been Sorned and unused for about two years. Prior to it's being taken off the road I had a fizzling sound coming from the fuel tank. My local mechanic diagnosed a fuel pump issue and replaced it. Since then, when I turn the ignition key the following happens:

Turn key / lights on including coil light
Coil light goes off / turn key to start / nothing happens, not even a solenoid click
Repeat between 4 to 6 times
Eventually it fires straight away and runs normally thereafter

I need to get the Defender back on the road as my wife's car has expired. Does anyone have any thoughts on what I can do? I'm not a mechanic and I'll be relying on a local person to do the work for me. Can anyone recommend a Landy specialist in West Sussex?

Thanks all.

Could be the starter solenoid... there are kits to repair the contacts... or just give them a clean... if it's been stood for a while?

Might also be worth getting the battery checked/charged?

The Gribbin said:

Could be the starter solenoid... there are kits to repair the contacts... or just give them a clean... if it's been stood for a while?

Might also be worth getting the battery checked/charged?

Click to expand...

Thanks. Yeah, the battery is on an Optimate as we speak. Cheers for the advice.

Check the little wire that goes to the starter. They are just a spade terminal and common to become loose, just need squeezing tight with some pliers.

If it was the starter solenoid contacts you normally get the clicking but nothing else. To rule out the ignition take the cover off the starter relay and operate it directly.

i'd be checking the ignition switch.. if it fires up after a few tries, then battery is ok.. starter and starter relay likely ok, though could be a relay problem

Starter solenoid