starting problem..

Hi Everyone,
I have a Defender 90 200tdi 1989, At the moment when i go to start it in the morning after heating it when i turn it on to start it it will turn over once then stop and after that it will only start if you keep it turning over and pump the accelerator pedal, but you can hear the power getting lower. Once it has got going it will turn over first time every time, it just seems to be a problem if stood over night or a couple of days. I'm not sure if it could be the battery or a couple of problems linked together. I could really do with some help with this as it is getting worse.
I am new to the landy experience and trying to do most things myself and loving it (my bank balance is'nt) so any help would be fantastic.. I have looked at the starter motor all the connectors are correct and i have cleaned what i can, the battery connections are good and solid. It has been harder to start with the cold weather spell we have been having..

cheers
mick......

Check yer earth cables. Physically remove and clean each end of them and where they attach to chassis, engine or gearbox.

Thanks mate will have a look tomorrow.... WHERE ABOUTS WOULD I FIND THEM ARE THEY EASY TO FIND...THANKS AGAIN

do a search on here for heater plugs or glowplugs.
details for checking / testing should be about somewhere.

Thanks for the advise, can i ask how long do you heat the plugs for, i have been told for about 30 seconds but not sure if this is correct, i only ask as the glow light does not go out and i don't know is standard for my landy or not, and if this is to long will it have damaged the plugs.
Cheers again....

not sure if this is right for your age of vehicle, but as a guide,
ignition on ,heater plug light comes on, plugs receive power.
10 seconds ish, light goes out. (plugs still recieve power. some controllers will vary
the light on time depending on temperature)
start engine.
5 seconds ish, controller turns power off to plugs.

if yours are constantly powered up, i suspect they'll be nacked. (tho just cos
the lights on, doesent actually means the plugs are powered up!

you need a tester now........

Hello again
just a quick update to where i am. So far i've cleaned the negative earth direct from the battery, checked what wiring i can, not sure where the earth for gear box and engine is. I've put new glow plugs in and cleaned wire connections.
Basicaly i've been looking for the glow plug relay timer (if thats what you call it), but my dilema is i've got a 200 tdi discovery engine in a defender 90, 1989 so where the bloodyhell do you find it !!!!!!!!!!!
Hoped that after changing the glow plugs and following all other advice it might have solved the problem of the glow plug light not going out but there it stays on. My only other idea is it could be the timer relay the haynes manual for the discoverysaid it is in the engine compartment near bulkhead but it is'nt, the defender manual said it is behind the fuse box but there are only 2 and don't think it is either so any ideas where it could be would be fantastic, as it aint where it says on the tin !! Ithink the injecters are having problems as the glow plugs i took out where a bit burnt so i know they need looking at i'm just hoping the light problem is just something simple.
Cheers for all advice you've given so far, hope you can spare some more
thanks mick......

follow the thick ish cable that comes off the end of the last plug - if it connects to a black inch ish square looking thing you've found the relay

it's possible they've wired the plugs direct to the ignition switch contacts

Dunno if this helps any...

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f41/renewing-glow-plugs-86457.html

The timer relay is usually found in the centre of bulkhead.. ye can just see it behind the fuel filter in this photie....



and a wee bit clearer in this one...