Td5 starting problems

[igould]

My wife's Disco Td5 is starting to click instead of crank when she goes to start it.
Before I invest big bucks in a new starter motor, is there something simple and/or cheap to try to fix it or extend its life?

Thanks,
Ian

[murray]

I would check the starter solenoid, contacts may just need cleaning. Also all the electrical connections for tightness and or corrosion. It would be pretty doubtfull the starter motor has given up the ghost. Hows the battery charge?

[Omaroo]

Judging by your avatar.... it may be full of crap https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[drover81]

Ditto to murray's comments. Same thing kept happening to my Defender.

Disconnect the battery and tighten the +ve on the starter motor terminal. If that fixes it, later when you have more time, remove the nut on the terminal and refit it with a spring washer.

If it's cranking and not kicking, you may have oil in the ECU harness. Clean out the ECU plugs and refit. *NOTE* this won't FIX the problem, merely patch it, until it happens again. To fix it, you need to replace the injector harness (pretty easy job), and keep cleaning the ECU plugs for a couple of months until all the residual oil comes out of the harness.

[igould]

Originally posted by Omaroo
Judging by your avatar.... it may be full of crap https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
Actually, she won't let me take her car off-road. I had to do that in my own. :oops:

It cranks fine. When it cranks, it fires instantly, but sometimes it clicks several times before cranking.

I'll give these tips a try.

Thanks, guys.
Ian

[Lucy]

Check the Battery :wink:

[drover81]

Sounds like EXACTLY the same problem I had with mine.... I'm 99% sure it's a loose starter terminal.

I went the new battery route when it happened to me (and priced a new/replacement starter 8O ).... ended up buying a new battery for nothing :x

[Slunnie]

When the battery is flat it will produce a rapid fire clicking of the starter. Sometimes it cranks, sometimes it clicks.

[Biggle49]

You guys are brilliant, I had the same problem where I turn the key and 1 click and nothing else and thought oh, what is a starter going to cost, read this thread, checked the starter connections and all seemed clean and tight, but undid the positive connection quick brush with the wire brush. (don't forget disconnect battery 1st) put it all back together and presto, Disco is alive again. Thanks for the help.

[Redback]

Just for future reference anyone and connection are OK, if it is the starter, rather than buy a new one take it too a trust worthy auto elec, it should only be around $350 to rebuild, i had mine done 2 weeks ago at O'Donnells at Penshurst.

Baz.

[IceFyre]

I got my rebuilt just a few months ago for $165. Same symptoms.

[DiscoDan]

Don't forget the earth as well

[Blknight.aus]

if the terminal is loose there is also a chance that the contactor in the main solenoid is going, Its a $7 dollar part from a reputable motor winding place. I did the instructors TD5 on my electrical phase once the starters out (have fun) its about a 30 minute job if you have the parts on hand.

[easo]

Have a look at some of the older threads there are some more starting problems about. Including mine. I replaced the batt, Had an earth cable from the batt to the starter motor. Even conected the ECU to the AUX batt as the starter was drawing power away from ECU, Don't try the last one as it kills the AUX batt. Ended up replacing the starter motor. All is well again. Gotta clean the harness next. As for your avtar thats probly what caused mine to die.

Cheers easo