Odd starter motor problem at perol stations

Hi all,
i have a defender 90 with a dicovery 200 tdi engine. For the past few days i have gone to fill up at the petrol station and when i have gone to start the landy it wouldnt start. The first time i turned the ignition the dash lights dimmed and nothing. Turned the key on and off to start a few times and it finally started. Then yesterday i went to fill up, i went to start it and nothing, same thing with the lights on dash dimming and then the starter stuck on so i had to tap it to get it off but it still did nothing. The only way it would start was with a push. There have been no problems with starting in fact its great it has only done it in the petrol stations. So really im not sure what to check.
I have tried looking to see if there has been any other threads on the matter but i have not come accoss anything.
I would be very grateful for any advice
thanks
mick

Avoid petrol stations.

"that would be cheaper"

You sure it only does it in petrol stations??? And not little stops at the shops ??

Check for bad earth straps
Check for usual power drains.. Battery, alternator, ignition switch, alarm fob

Not something silly like a power drain on a exposed cable when the tank is full ??

ECU needs rebooting, unplug it for a couple of minutes

Sean said:

ECU needs rebooting, unplug it for a couple of minutes

Click to expand...

I don't think 200Tdi,s have ECU,s:doh:

Would it have a ecu its a defender 1989 with a discovery 1 engine?
Mick.....

check the small live terminal (Female on harness Male spade on starter) that can come loose and it;s tucked away from casual sight tight up against engine.

Will do thank you....

My signal wire falls off all the time, but it acts as an immobiliser of sorts, so I've never fixed it, I just hook it back on when it happens. If it is this, then you'll get lights that should stay constant, everything'll work except the starter. I've retained the Defender's turbo, so it may be easier for me, not sure what access would be like with a Disco turbo/inlet manifold in place.I'd check your fuel stop solenoid on the fip if the engine starts intermittently.

Defender engine is a pita to get to the starter wiring, especially the trigger wire.




Lynall

If you remove the washer bottle it's just about accessible and no more. Fingertip job.

Firstly thanks to all for the advise.
I have checked the starter motor and all the wiring seems to be fine nothing appears to be loose. Yesterday when i stopped i wanted to make sure it would start up again. As the last time the starter motor was still going but it would'nt start but this time there was smoke coming from behind the dash where the speedo and temp clocks are. So just to make sure i was'nt going to go up in flames i thought it best to have a look. From what i can tell with the small gap i had to look it looks like the wires at the back of the ignition where melting. Once it had stood for a time it would start with no problem. I have no idea what would cause this as everything else seems to be fine. Well the only thing weather it is relivent or not is the wipers are running quite slow.the problem only seems to happen when you stop and want to start up straight away like when you want to fill up ( yes all the jokes are great) but i dont understand why iy doesnt do it all the time. As you can guess i am no expert i am just trying to learn as i go so any more help would be fantastic...
Mick

sounds like a urgent look to see if wiring is damaged thus causing a short on ign switch mate , need to get it sorted asap also could be worn shroud on one wire shorting to a earth on coloum so needs to be replaced ???

hope that helps you but wouldnt drive till sorted or may have big burn out !!!!

That does help mate thank you.....