Kickn

Kickn

Member
okay - after only a couple months with my dream machine (a 2000 TD5) I've hit a frustrating problem and not sure what it is. I'm looking for a bit of help and insight here in case I'm not seeing it.

So...what happens is.

When I go to start the truck I turn on the ignition. Position 2 is fine...turn to position 3 and nothing. The lights come on but the starter doesn't turn over.

When it started happening a few days ago after a moment, some wiggling the key, shaking the truck...it would start. In the last few days I think I've narrowed it down to what seems like a doggy connection on the starter cable - or a broken wire. I move that around...not so much at the connector but at the rear wiring and it goes.

I wouldn't have thought a starter would fail like that - but maybe it would? Any experience there?

If I have to replace the cables...where do I start? Is it the whole wiring loom or can I replace the one section leading up to the starter motor.

Would it be anything else?

Any help or insight would be very much appreciated. I'm apprehensive about taking it out as its a hard one to bump start by yourself :(

Cheers!
 
You should have a bit of wire that goes from the ign switch to the starter solenoid.

If you get a bit of wire and take that from the battery to the solenoid you should get a 'click'.

If you get the click it ain't the solenoid.

Next get a heavy pair of old pliers and with your handbrake on and gearbox in neutral, short out the big terminal on the solenoid with the big terminal on the starter and see if she turns over.

This works on Landies as well as trucks, but I prefer to work on Landies ;) ;)
 
Could just be the ignition barrel, the terminals work lose, so one minute it's fine, next its not. Happened to me, twenty squids for a new one, don't forget the little grub screw in the barrel.
 
Sure it's not the solenoid? Has happened to be before. Usual cure, undet the motor hit starter with hammer or suitable heavy instrument! If it then starts, you need a solenoid repair kit. Coppers off of eBay.
 
Thanks guys for the tips.

I've been out starting it over the last few days and its all been fine. I decided, having some time today, to have a better look. I went out and gave it a start (was actually a false start) and it failed to start after that.

I banged on starter, tried to short the solenoid, wiggled cables, etc and the other things Oldseadog suggested but nothing.

I pulled the starter to have a look given nothing else was working. Cleaned up the contacts in the solenoid put it back together and gave it a go - it fired up cleanly.

I'm not sure if its the solenoid or still some other intermittent problem but I thought starting there would be a good step.

The next question is what do I do about it? do I get one of the cheap contact repair kits or just buy a new solenoid? Should I also replace the ignition barrel at the same time? Any thoughts?

Cheers!
 
She's working, so well done!

See how she goes, as there is not much point in spending on new parts if they are not needed!
 
I would completely agree if it wasn't for the fact that its the starter :(

If it doesn't work then getting it going, especially in the middle of nowhere - is a pain the arse.
 
The actual motor part of the starter motor are usually very reliable on the TD5. It's pretty rare for them to fail. The usual culprits are the solenoid contacts and fly lead spade connection.
 
Kickn said:
Thanks guys for the tips.

I've been out starting it over the last few days and its all been fine. I decided, having some time today, to have a better look. I went out and gave it a start (was actually a false start) and it failed to start after that.

I banged on starter, tried to short the solenoid, wiggled cables, etc and the other things Oldseadog suggested but nothing.

I pulled the starter to have a look given nothing else was working. Cleaned up the contacts in the solenoid put it back together and gave it a go - it fired up cleanly.

I'm not sure if its the solenoid or still some other intermittent problem but I thought starting there would be a good step.

The next question is what do I do about it? do I get one of the cheap contact repair kits or just buy a new solenoid? Should I also replace the ignition barrel at the same time? Any thoughts?

Cheers!
Click to expand...

contact and plunger kit you need both
 
I'm having starting issues at the moment too. Starter is just clicking when tried and even when crossed.

Remove it and it works fine when bench tested so I'm suspecting a bad earth as I replaced the live cable (some idiot in it's previous ownership had wrapped a damaged section with crap red tape more than likely due to pinching the cable when fitting the re-con gearbox... that also sh!t itself :rolleyes:)


So I'm suspecting I have an earth problem maybe?
 
DaveM-sport said:
I'm having starting issues at the moment too. Starter is just clicking when tried and even when crossed.

Remove it and it works fine when bench tested so I'm suspecting a bad earth as I replaced the live cable (some idiot in it's previous ownership had wrapped a damaged section with crap red tape more than likely due to pinching the cable when fitting the re-con gearbox... that also sh!t itself :rolleyes:)


So I'm suspecting I have an earth problem maybe?
Click to expand...

If you mean one single click then you're looking at a starter solenoid contact/plunger kit off ebay. If its multiple clicks then battery or earth faults are more likely.
 
Sometimes one click, sometimes muliple clicks. Depends how long I keep the key turned I think :p

Can get a smell of smoke from underneath too which is why I'm thinking it's a wiring fault
 
Thanks btw for all the help.

The other thing I could do is go for NAF500010 | Solenoid Assy

and keep the starter motor but replace the whole assembly.

The only other thing with the starter is that the waddle (?) pipe is broken off. Not sure if that makes any different if I end up in a bit of water given its so low down on the engine?
 
Kickn said:
Thanks Guys.

Is it just one of these?
LANDROVER DISCOVERY & DEFENDER TD5 DENSO STARTER MOTOR CONTACT REPAIR KIT | eBay

Its an after market starter so not a denso. Thats the only thing I'm worried about - is the parts fitting.

I can get a new starter from paddocks for £100 - this will cost me about £30 for the kit and plunger.

again - worried about starting to drive it any distance with a faulty starter or something thats unreliable.
Click to expand...

It's worth spending the extra few pounds and getting the one with the plunger too.
 
Just a quick note to thank everyone for the help.

I got the kit and put in the new contacts and plunger. Seems to be starting fine - unless its something else and the problems come back again I think we are good to go. Thanks again!

Cheers!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Intermittent starting issue.
Replies
4
Views
840
Anaconda
A
G
TD5 defender immobilizer issue
Replies
2
Views
689
gary brion
G
G
Starting problem
Replies
1
Views
526
Anaconda
A
B
Defender 300tdi not starting unless battery fully charged
Replies
7
Views
992
marc.postle
M
O
Electrical - starting fault/issue (seeking help/advice) - 1996 Defender 110 300TDI
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
tottot
tottot