Td5 defender not always ticking over.

[TheEntertainer]

Hi all,

Defender Td5 2003 model, 233000k.

Hopefully someone has had this before and can save me a heap of troubleshooting.

A few months ago I had a starter motor repair kit installed as from time to time when the ignition is turned all I would get is click, click, click. But it would always eventually start.

About 6 weeks after the kit was installed, and only in the mornings (3rd times in 2 weeks) when I turn the ignition everything lights up and then nothing happens not even a click. What was interesting that in the last two occasions I was alone and failed to do a run start (level back yard and short runway), but then when I turned ignition she would fire up. Why only in the morning, and why after I had a attempted start would then fire up?

Keen to hear your thoughts on this. Ps battery is relatively new and fully charged.

Kind regards

J

[skidrov]

At a guess, the ignition switch at the end of the key barrel. Fairly common issue, a search will find a few threads on this. Fairly cheap, fairly DIY.

[sierrafery]

Most common is bad contact at the solenoid's lucar connector which is weak, if that's ruled out next time when this happens give a tug to the starter with a hammer of something and try then, if it starts right away the brushes are gone...meanwhile change the starter relay to be ruled out.... i second the ignition switch theory as well

[travelrover]

Crank angle sensor per chance? Isn’t there also a starter motor position sensor?

[TheEntertainer]

Lots of little and big things to look for and replace. Last nigh I replaced the starter motor relay and will report back. The only other test beside actually starting was to pull the relay out. Then when i turned the key the exact same happened as when it would fail. In other words, ignition on, glow plugs light and wwwmmm noise from the pump, but nothing not even a klick when the ignition is turned to full. Not an ideal test, though without the relay I was able to reproduce the same issue i have had now 7 times in the past 4 weeks.

One other point, my EMS2 has been reading out a below normal voltage, after replacing the relay it’s back to 13.9v.