Starter spinning with no key in. Help!

[PeterH]

Ahhh, it never rains but it pours it seems.
I've had a great run with my 2001 P38 for several months now, but that has come to an abrupt halt.
I just tried to start it, key in ingnition as per normal, turned the key and the starter motor is spinning but not engaging.
I turned the key off and it just kept spinning.
I had to take a terminal off the battery to stop it spinning.
When I re connect the battery it just starts spinning once again.
So I can't start it or lock it at present, does anyone have any suggestions here, I'm stuck!
Thanks, Pete.

[PLR]

G`day ,

a good beginning point may be to have a look at the starter relay in the fuse box .
edit
More than likely the problem won`t be with the starter itself .

I don`t know if you can easily but removing the ( lucar ) single spade type connected wire on the starter solenoid itself , will help rule the starter out , the wire is what tells the solenoid when to work or when the key is turned it actuates the starter .

[PeterH]

Thanks for the quick reply Peter R, I tried swapping a yellow relay over for the starter and also a green one for the ignition, but no change.
I even took both relays out and connected the battery, it still spins.
I'm a bit stumped with where to start with this one.

[PLR]

G`day ,

there is the main battery feed the large wire at the starter , the small wire is the one that actuates the starter via the solenoid .

If you remove the small wire and the starter still rotates , there will possibly be an internal fault in the solenoid because the only power will be to the electric motor via the large wire .

If the starter doesn`t rotate with the wire removed , the connector is the end of the circuit so if nothing looks obvious or smells odd the connector will be the place to work back from .

Looking at the manual (electrical) will show the circuit .

Sometimes you can be lucky and some times it means spending time with the manual so you can work out where the cause can be .

Check anywhere that you have been looking at with steering shaft perusal for the fault , it may be a wire or something that you have moved .

Also check what the relation is between the key and the idiot lights and wriggle the key/lock about .

[PeterH]

Thanks again Peter, it's dark and freezing out there at the moment, but I'll get under there tomorrow morning and try pulling that spade connector off.
I have read the ingnition switch can gum up and cause weird things like this, spraying contact cleaner in the key hole and moving the key seems to have sorted that issue for others, so I might try that if the starter proves to be ok.

[Rob Hse]

I had a Sandman years ago that did the exact same thing ,it was the starter motor at fault ,I changed it and problem was solved...I would definitely blame the starter motor in your case if it still powers up with relays removed....the solenoid may also be loose ,or just faulty...hope this helps !

Sent from my XT1033 using AULRO mobile app

[PLR]

G`day Peter ,

i just reread your first and i think the main thing is the not engaging .

This would have to narrow it down to the starter i would think .

Nothing i typed about has any relation to not engaging .

When you have a look in the morning i`d suggest connecting the battery and see what happens .

If it`s still spinning i`d disconnect the battery again and give the starter a few thumps with a bit of wood or soft hammer ECT ,

If it still spins and having a helper would be helpful , reconnect the battery at the same time as you thump the starter . The helper can disconnect the battery should the starter not just spin but also engage . It won`t start because the key won`t be on .

The more i think on it the more the starter seems the culprit but your seeing the whole picture so i`m only suggesting .

[PeterH]

Thanks Rob, I will suspect the starter motor after reading your experience with the sandman.
At least I can get the starter rebuilt, (or new one if required) I'd probably rather that than having to search wiring for a problem.
Cheers, Pete.

[TheTree]

G`day Peter ,
If it`s still spinning i`d disconnect the battery again and give the starter a few thumps with a bit of wood or soft hammer ECT ,


Good old trick, reminds me of the bit of vision of Clive Palmer leaving parliament house in his roller and he had to give the starter a tap to get it to go. :p

[TheTree]

Thanks Rob, I will suspect the starter motor after reading your experience with the sandman.
At least I can get the starter rebuilt, (or new one if required) I'd probably rather that than having to search wiring for a problem.
Cheers, Pete.

Pete

I have a spare starter lying around if you get stuck mate

[PeterH]

That's a very kind offer, thanks for that, but Gosford is a fair hike from me in Victoria.
I'll try and find a good second hand one, there are a couple of places near me that might have them.
If I get stuck I might take you up on that offer!

Bit of an update, I got underneath this morning and pulled the spade connector off the solenoid, reconnected the battery and still the same spinning.
I reconnected the spade connector and gave the solenoid and starter body a few taps around with a hammer.
Reconnected the battery and that seems to have cured the spinning.
There is a click when I turn the key and nothing else happens now.
I checked the battery terminals for corrosion and tightness, they seem fine, tried wiggling the key and turning on and off with no change.
I didn't have any warnings or symptoms before this happened.
I'm thinking the starter is fried, so I'll get on the phone and try to source a second hand one locally.
The battery is not that old, is measuring 12.0v at rest, so it seems to be pointing toward the starter motor.
Will keep you posted!
Cheers, Pete.

[PeterH]

Sorted!
I sourced a second hand starter motor from Dave at British Car Components in Nth Melbourne, got under and removed the old starter, in with the new one, turned the key and it started straight away. Music to my ears!
A big thankyou to everyone for your suggestions, it was a huge help and got me out of trouble.
That's pretty good going, had it starting again in under 24 hours.
Now to tackle the steering shaft tomorrow.
Cheers, Pete :)

[Homestar]

I was going to ask you if you were on the forum today when you picked the starter up from Dave and we were talking about them - and Lucas products - now I know you are. :)

I don't normally frequent the P38 forum, I've got one of each model before and after. :)

It was nice chatting to you.

[PeterH]

Nice to meet you too, I had a classic for several years before the P38, will probably go to an L322 in the next year or two, probably a 2007/8 model when the time is right.
Range Rovers get in your blood!
Cheers, Pete.

[mtb_gary]

Pete

Yours sounds a very familiar story. I too have had a RR Classic (2 door) in the past. I currently drive the p38 but thee next car is replacing my daily drive (Focus turbo diesel) and the p38. It will be either the Sport or the 322 v8 twin turbo diesel circa 2007-2008.

[PeterH]

Haha! Glad I'm not the only one considering that :)
I've been eyeing them off for a while now, I like the sport and the L322, probably leaning towards the L322 though.
The post 2006 models with the jag engines seem to be the go, that's why I've been looking at the 2007/2008 as well.
Most of the advice seems to be get the youngest one you can afford, so I'm waiting for the prices to come down a bit more.
I still love the P38 though, it's done a bloody good job!
Cheers, Pete.