Disco 2 Weird start

D2 started playing me around tonight (typically when you need to be somewhere) not starting. First I thought battery and went to jump off van to realise I've left my jump leads somewhere weird thing was it didn't even try to crank when it was doing then it jumped to life. Which made me think starter solenoid? So to the question could it be screwed batt (tested at 12V but was with no load on so maybe less when trying to fire had noone to check) ie new batt or starter solenoid sticking. Does the solenoid still fire with a screwed battery? Because it wasn't trying to turn over. Then it started working fine. When I got home tried it on and off 10 times and had no issues. It did do it couple weeks ago too where didn't even try firing then just started. Didn't get chance to have a proper look cos it's dark by time I'm getting home now
Wondered if anyone had an idea before I chuck a new battery at it.
Radio heating etc all worked fine too which made me doubt batt screwed
Cheers!

When it does it again, listen out for the solenoid moving the contacts.

Cheers

Keeps deciding to work now I'll have a proper look tomorrow hopefully see if somethings loose. Started and like 15 times in a row now so I'm thinking got to be either wires into solenoid or solenoid that's broken. Or it'd be dead as a dodo by now. Why they always in awkward places

Mine did the same about a year ago, luckily it turned out to be a bad conection onto the starter motor, cleaned and tightened up the connection, been fine ever since, hopefully yours will be as pain free

A fully charged battery should have a higher voltage than 12.0volts.

brianconwy said:

A fully charged battery should have a higher voltage than 12.0volts.

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I did think this, but then it wasn' struggling to start it wasn' even trying to turn over which made me think of the solenoid. Gana check at weekend it's too dark when I'm getting back from work

A quick battery test is to try and start it in gear with the brakes hard on (to stop it running away) what you are doing is putting a
large electrical load onto the battery - but only for a couple of seconds though !!!!!
Check the battery voltage while you doing this, anything less than 10 volts and your battery is past its use by date.
I have often seen them go down to 6 Volts and have still been staring a car - until the cold weather hits.
Disclaimer
This is only a quick basic check and does not replace a proper battery test that your local trusted garage can do for you with proper
battery test equipment.
This test will not damage good starter motors or solonoids or wiring, but may finish off worn out ones.

Checked starter it was fine, bastard to get at but couldn't be bothered to ramp it
Made some longer leads for voltmeter dropping to 9V and resting 12. Alterator is giving it nearly 14 so should keep more than 12. Looks like new battery! Don't get why it wasn't even trying to turn over though. And then been fine for 15 starts. Weird

Don't forget to check the connections are clean and tight. Especially the little one on the solenoid. That little on its own could cause this problem, so could a worn solenoid. Time to carry a bar and hammer, next time it happens get somebody to hold the key in the start position and then you can tap the solenoid with the hammer through the bar, if that starts it - new starter.

HTH

I had that with my old van! Had to keep a copper drift and a hammer in front cos it had a soft spot. It's not that it made an odd noise from that before I took the lil solenoid connector off and cleaned that not had it fail to start yet so who knows!

If it is the solenoid contacts then don't buy a new starter motor before checking the solenoid contacts. They are cheap and easy to replace once the starter is off. You can check that the plunger is moving freely at the same time.