Starting problem Defender TD5

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Gordon Willy

Member
Posts
10
I wonder if someone can throw some light on my starting problem. I have a Defender TD5 2000 110 CSW.

On the way back from a 1700 mile trip to France, the engine simply cut out at around 65 m.p.h. I coasted to a halt and tried to start it again. It turned over fine but would not fire up. After 10 mins I had another go (as the wife was sat on the motorway bank looking for the breakdown number!!) and it fired up as though there was nothing wrong. We continued the remainder of the return journey without incident. Unfortunately I didn’t notice if the glow-plug and engine check amber lights were on or off when it wouldn’t re-start (see later in the text).

I came to use the vehicle for the first time again this Saturday (one week later), and as I switched the ignition to on, noticed I didn’t have the ‘glow-plug’ light and the ‘engine check’ lights on. At the same time the temp. gauge shot to hot (despite the engine being cold for a week!!).

I cranked the engine, it turned over fine but would not start (and now I have a 2 ton brick stuck in my drive).

Having had a look under the drivers seat this morning I notice two things:

i) Firstly there is now a thin trail of oil seeping out of the loom (red connector into ECU) into the seat box, and
ii) Secondly, a black covered cable going into the red connector has about 25mm of bare cable exposed
Neither of these issues existed before we set off (I think). I don’t think the oil is yet an issue, as I don’t get a misfire, but the exposed cable might be??

Having fiddled with and wiped the cables, when I turned the ignition on, the amber dash-board glow-plug and engine check lights came on. The engine then started on the touch of the key!!!

Any ideas on what it might be and/or on what process to follow to find out what the problem might be?

Cheers

Dean
 
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