Stalled. Now won't start

[synthium]

Hi everyone,
I stalled my defender 130 300tdi and now it won't start. Does nothing when I turn the key - only turns on the radio. No attempt at cranking. Have dual batteries so I do not think it is a power thing (+ radio starts).
Has about 40lts of diesel in it. Was running fine until the stall - which was my fault, didn't realise i was pushing up onto the curb.
Any ideas?
Thanks

[OLD]

Hi synthium

Have you had any difficulty starting before this? If you're sure about battery power, and there's definitely no attempt to turn over, I'd be looking at the wiring to the solenoid and starter motor. Had a wire come loose on my solenoid once before - who needs an immobilizer ?😳

[roobar_and_custard]

I had this on mine once and turned out to be a loose wire to the solenoid. Was easily fixed by plugging it back on. Surprisingly, I lived with that for several years, having to re-attach, before finally resolving it by crushing the connector slightly with pliers...
I hope that is your problem. Otherwise, I suggest you get the voltmeter out.
Ian

[synthium]

Thanks for that. Will check it out. Still it seems strange that that would just happen but I guess that is the joys of being a land rover owner!

[synthium]

Ok - strangely enough the deefer started no problem when I went back to it after work - 3 hours later. Started first go no problem or hesitation. Took it home turned it off and was able to start it again no problem. So a bit confused as to why this is? Any ideas?

[blue_mini]

Earth on the starter motor? If it was the solenoid then it would still turn over, just not fire.

Or a loose connection on the back of the ignition switch?

[synthium]

I will have to look at the wiring and see. Thanks

[TeamFA]

Just checking that you turned the ignition completely off before trying to restart after stalling? It' a "feature" that if you stall, you can't just turn the key to the starter position to restart the engine, you have to turn the ignition completely off.

Sorry if you've done this or it's obvious... it wasn't obvious to me the first time I stalled...

[synthium]

Hi TeamFA,
yeah I worked that out previously and completly removed the key and put it back in.
I have started it a few times since with no problems. Hopefully the problem never raises its head again!

[bigdog]

Hi TeamFA,
yeah I worked that out previously and completly removed the key and put it back in.
I have started it a few times since with no problems. Hopefully the problem never raises its head again!

I suspect that you may get a repeat of this problem on an intermittent basis. Did you hear the solenoid clicking when you turned the key?

This happened on both my Rangie and my Landcruiser. I took the solenoid apart and cleaned it up and the problem has not occured since. Not sure if it was poor connections or if it was just getting so worn the gaps were getting too large to make a circuit when the engine was hot?

[BigJon]

It could be the ignition switch failing, it is a common problem.

[synthium]

Thanks again. I will have to keep an eye on it. No did not hear the solenoid clicking - there was utter silence!

[synthium]

DAmn thing has done it two more times now. Seems to always be in the afternoon when it is the hottest. All other times seems to start fine. I can hear a click when I turn the key. I pulled out the relays and made sure the connections where fine...perhaps it is an earth.

[djam1]

X2....


It could be the ignition switch failing, it is a common problem.

[synthium]

really...even if all the lights which should come on the dash come on (glow plugs, etc..) - it could still be the ignition switch?

[Ancient Mariner]

Yep

[synthium]

Alright - will have to have a look at that. Lets hope it is simply a matter of fixing a connection!

[BST4X4XFA]

That "Click" you hear, is it a relay or the starter solenoid?

If it is the starter solenoid, the contacts do do after while and can be replaced.

A mates D2 TD5 had the same issue. Sometimes just didn't want to start. Lights come on ready to go but only heard the solenoid click in. Replaced the contact in the solenoid and no problems since.

[landcol]

Sounds like ignition switch as mentioned. Can turn the key and get glow plugs radio but next turn nothing. It's a little spring that pops out to connect the two faces in the switch. Seems to be sounding pretty common to fail. Or if your extra lucky just a loose connection on the back of the switch!

[synthium]

Ok I took apart the dash and got to the back of the ignition switch. One felt quite loose (top one closest to the steering wheel). I cleaned up the connections and pressed them back on. Felt more solid than i found it. Hopefully this fixes it.
But unfortunately won't know for certain till it happens again, or it doesn't for a long time!