Td5 Won't start?

[Dac]

My Disco 2 Td5 doesn't start first time like it used to. Sometimes when you wait for the glow plug and then twist the key all you get is the click of the starter soelnoid and nothing else. Then, if you turn the key back to off, then on again it starts. Occasionally the water in fuel indicator comes on - should I change fuel filters?
Thanks in advance
Dac

[George130]

I'm guessing you have checked the sedimenter, water trap thing for the fuel. Also is the batery is fine ?
If the answeres to these are yes they try the filter.

Mine still starts first go even when you don't wait for the glow plugs.

[MickG]

My understanding is you don't have to wait for the glow plug on a TD5. Has it just started doing it or has it been doing it for a while. Mine started doing it recently and then finally nothing at all, turned out the battery had carcked it. Prior to that, my starter motor went.

Good luck

[CraigE]

If all you are getting is a clicking of the starter solenoid it sounds like your starter is on its way out. If it is not actually turning the engine over straight away it is electrical either the starter or the battery/wiring to the starter. Check the connections are secure and not covered in grime. If it is turning the motor over and not firing chances are its a fuel problem.

[Dac]

It isn't fuel I reckon judging from the response as it doesn't turn over at all - not like a fuel problem where the engine cranks but won't catch.

The battery is the original unit from when I bought it, so I have no idea how old that is. Starter motors generally wear out don't they, ie: they don't just work sometimes , and then crank normally? More likely they get slower and slower till you just get a click. I'll check all the connections - I will consult the rave CD as I have no idea where they might be.
Ta
Dac

[Slunnie]

The starter will just tap really quickly and loudly when the battery goes flat, but it doesn't try to turn the motor at all. In terms of a progressively dying battery, the stages go

1. starts instantly
2. 2 turns of the engine before it starts
3. 1/2 assed effort at turning the engine than a rapid fire tap tap tap from the starter without turning the motor.
4. Rapid fire tap tap tap from the starter without turning the engine.

I have a lot of experience with this unfortunately. :oops:

I get about 2 years from factory batteries.

[George130]

I have had a starter relay just die in an old car. Had to bridge the terminals on the starter for 3 days till I had the replacement.
I would go the battery as first suspect.

[CraigE]

We had a similar thing with an 80 series cruiser at work recently, one time it would barely turn over, next it would not engage and again later it would start. In the end it was a faulty starter motor solenoid. 1/2 hr to replace. If you have a multimeter or voltmeter check if the battery is charged and then start and check that it is charging. If it is a battery you may also have an alternator problem. Battery's generally do just fail and need replacing. Starter motor is an easy change over just $ to buy. If you can get a fully charged battery from someone change it out and see if the same thing still occurs. If it does look at the starter if it does not replace your battery with a spanker. Hope this helps. The thing with the throw out or a worn solenoid is that sometime they will engage fully, partly or not at all. Half charged batteries can show similar symptoms. Just work your way through. The best bet for starter repairs would be your local auto sparky either to do the job or supply the gear. Most are helpful.

[ARISTOS]

hi all Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 6:56 am Post subject: Td5 Won't start?

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My Disco 2 Td5 doesn't start first time like it used to. Sometimes when you wait for the glow plug and then twist the key all you get is the click of the starter soelnoid and nothing else. Then, if you turn the key back to off, then on again it starts. Occasionally the water in fuel indicator comes on - sho

There are severall possible faults
1 battery
2 battery is good earth strap not good
3 alternater is not giving enough volts so faulty alternater
4 go the filter and turn the little knob and let the water out of the filter
5 ques what is the year model of the disco 4 years is all you can expect from a delphi battery

[RichardK]

It may be worth checking your negative (earth) connection at the battery.

[BenRobson]

Try looking to see if the positive connection to the starter motor is loose. Similar thing happened to me, most times it would start fine, then other times nothing but the clicks of the relays, and then try again and it would work. took me till it wouldn't start at all to investigate. Fixed it by the road with a hit to the connection with a big screwdriver from under the car. Got home, tighened it with a spanner, never had trouble again.

Ben Td5 130CC