Staring problem

I have just bought my 1st Landy Defender 90 Pick up
went out this morning and she refused point blank to start- thinking maybe battery or alternator how can I test either???? all the lights came on and I waited 30 seconds prior to turning the key fully not even a click from the starter. Nothing!!

anyone have any idea's how much a second hand alternator or new battery might cost?


Les

Sounds like yer battery is flat, but it could be a knackered starter motor.
Have you tried a jump start?
First thing to do is to get it running, either by re-charging the battery or a jump start. Then measure the voltage across the battery terminals, with the engine running, using a multimeter on the 20V range - it should be between 13.5 and 14.5V.
Let us know the result.

might just be a loose wire on the starter

are yer headlights bright ?

Headlights as bright as they should be- no loose wires on the starter motor that I can see - feel!!

When I turn the ignition key all I can hear is the relay in the fuse box clicking - well one click as I turn the key

My mate and his 90 are coming over later with jump leads etc

Im stumped and LATE for work


Les

not battery or alternator then - its got to be starter motor, solenoid or poor earth. Try running a wire direct from the battery to the starter solenoid, bypassing the relay and see if that makes any difference. also redo the engine/gearbox earth by undoing the joints and re-tightening them with plenty of vaseline to ensure the contacts dont corrode.

I'll give that a shot- thank you


where do I find the engine/Gearbox earth point??
Les

By the starter motor there should be a thick bit of strapping from the engine to the chassis

It could still be a flat battery, and even if your battery is flat, it will still show an output of 12V+. You really need all of the juice in the battery (starter draws a hell of a lot of amps). I had this problem last year. My lights would stay on as bright as ever (even spots) but the solenoid on the starter wouldn't even click. A good charge over night and half into the next day had my solenoid clicking but still refusing to charge. Another over night charge and it was fixed!

-Pos

Update guy's

After much scratching of heads - it was finally dicovered that the solder joint on the crank side of the solonoid was dry - having removed the starter motor onto a bench when power was applied to the end of the spade connector- NOTHING but apply power closer to the body of the solonoid and it span like a dream

5 mins of re-soldering did the job - my Landy is now starting every turn - which is a bonus

Never come across a problem like this before thought I should share it with members - you never know - it could be you next


Les

I find your avatar amusingly relevant to the title of this thread, STARING problem

Ha ha I never even noticed - I'd missed out a T

of course it should have read "Starting Problem" but I'm sure you knew that??

Les