No starting, just a whirring sound.

[sandman]

Hey folks, my P38 has been sitting for a while, and now is the time to move her, so I can move her on.
It's a 2001 4.6 Thor and has been idle for almost 12 months, with not much work done except bags out, coils in.
So i put in a new battery after some work on the clamp, battery has plenty of charge etc.
No turning over, just a whirring sound, engine light is on.

Any clues where I can start with this?
Cheers, Sandman.

PS, I'll be listing her for sale shortly, can't take her with me OS.

[trout1105]

Give the starter solenoid a couple of taps, It sounds like the starter isn't engaging[thumbsupbig]

[reefmagnet]

I'd give the actual starter motor a couple of taps with a hammer too. Sounds also like you may have a sticky throw out pinion if the whirring sound is vigorous.

[sandman]

I'd give the actual starter motor a couple of taps with a hammer too. Sounds also like you may have a sticky throw out pinion if the whirring sound is vigorous.

Thanks dudes, i'll engage the Land Rover fine adjustment tool.
:)

[sandman]

no joy from tapping the starter motor, whirring sound seems to be coming from the ABS pump?

[PeterH]

If it is not turning over, the first thing I would check is the battery is fully charged and the terminals are clean and tight.
P38s need a good strong battery, or you will get all sorts of error messages popping up, starting and fuel injection will not work properly.
Are you getting any error messaages?
Might be worth hooking up some jumper cables to a running car and see if that does anything.
If that doesn't help, I'd be checking the connections to the starter, make sure they are tight and clean.
Try that first and let us know how you go.
I always go back to basics first before diving deeper, most of the time that will solve the problem.

[trout1105]

no joy from tapping the starter motor, whirring sound seems to be coming from the ABS pump?

99.99% of the time that "whirring" sound you are describing is the starter motor free spinning without the solaniod engaging it to the flywheel.
You say the engine has been sitting idle for 12 months so my money is on the solanoid being either sized up or faulty, Take out the starter motor and give it a good clean up and bench test it so that you know it is in good working order before bolting it back on[thumbsupbig]