TD5 starting problems! Please help

Hello,

I’m now onto a TD5 Defender after fixing up a 200tdi.

I’m having a few issues with starting it up. It has been sat around for around two years according to the previous owner and I thought maybe the battery is no use anymore. I charged it up and it’s now at 12.8 volts. It still will not even turn over. When you turn the key nothing happens and there is a quiet click but nothing else. The battery terminals are very dirty which I plan to clean up, could this just be the issue?

The guy I bought it off jump started it but connected the black lead directly to the negative terminal on the battery which I’m not sure is the correct way to jump start (has this caused any damage?).

I had a similar fault on my 200tdi where when u turn the key nothing happens and it turned out to be faulty wiring from the ignition barrel to the starter motor.

As I’m on a budget, I was hoping one you kind LandyZoners would give me some advice so I can fix it myself.

Many thanks

@blue beasty please move to a more appropriate location.

JohnM70 said:

@blue beasty please move to a more appropriate location.

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Hi, where is a better location for this post?

Moving to the TD5 or Defender section would seem sensible.

As to your problem, assuming you do not have an immobiliser fitted, it sounds as if the there is too much resistance in the starter motor circuit. Possibly a corroded earth?

Just clean everything
Check earths and rebuild starter

Seems a bit off that BB has to up-sticks yet again just because some tw@t has posted in the wrong place.

Si Click said:

Moving to the TD5 or Defender section would seem sensible.

As to your problem, assuming you do not have an immobiliser fitted, it sounds as if the there is too much resistance in the starter motor circuit. Possibly a corroded earth?

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Thanks your help! Apologies for posting in the wrong section, I’m still getting to grips with how to use the forum.

MJI said:

Just clean everything
Check earths and rebuild starter

Click to expand...

Thanks, I’ll get onto this!

myfirstl322 said:

Seems a bit off that BB has to up-sticks yet again just because some tw@t has posted in the wrong place.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the help

The fact that the vendor started it suggests that the starter motor can turn the engine a least sometimes. On my TD5 there's a small wire that attaches to the starter with a spade terminal, This is the one that activates the solenoid and allows the starter to work. Sometimes this connection becomes poor so taking it off and cleaning it, or sometimes even just wiggling it is enough to get the starter turning again.

I know it's sometimes recommended not to clip both jump start wires to the battery terminals, but that's more to do with the fire risk if fumes have escaped from the battery..

Brown said:

The fact that the vendor started it suggests that the starter motor can turn the engine a least sometimes. On my TD5 there's a small wire that attaches to the starter with a spade terminal, This is the one that activates the solenoid and allows the starter to work. Sometimes this connection becomes poor so taking it off and cleaning it, or sometimes even just wiggling it is enough to get the starter turning again.

I know it's sometimes recommended not to clip both jump start wires to the battery terminals, but that's more to do with the fire risk if fumes have escaped from the battery..

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Thanks v much, that’s good to know. Is the starter motor easy to access? It was a nightmare to work on my 200tdi

200tdi Land Rover 90 said:

Thanks v much, that’s good to know. Is the starter motor easy to access? It was a nightmare to work on my 200tdi

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I usually get at mine from underneath, and when this happens give the little spade connector a wobble.

If you need to take the starter off completely, this can be done from underneath too. It's held on with three bolts/studs. The lower two are easily undone, but the top one is difficult to get at. It's a 15mm AF flanged nut on a stud. I can just about get a socket on it with the right combination of extension bars so I've got a few clicks of swing with the ratchet and then the starter can be waggled out past the anti roll bar, steering bars, propshaft and the like.

Brown said:

I usually get at mine from underneath, and when this happens give the little spade connector a wobble.

If you need to take the starter off completely, this can be done from underneath too. It's held on with three bolts/studs. The lower two are easily undone, but the top one is difficult to get at. It's a 15mm AF flanged nut on a stud. I can just about get a socket on it with the right combination of extension bars so I've got a few clicks of swing with the ratchet and then the starter can be waggled out past the anti roll bar, steering bars, propshaft and the like.

Click to expand...

Okay nice one! I’ll get to work on this and let you know how it goes. Cheers