'02 TD5 II NEEDING HELP

[EpsomGreen]

Merry Xmas to All.

We've owned the TD5 for nearly 2 yrs and have spent $7K on 2 services. The 100K service was at Trivett and the last service was at Graeme Cooper just over 10K kms ago with a complaint that the starter motor wasn't engaging (M & S flashing on the dash). Graeme fixed this problem only temporarily bec it returned occasionally. This time, however, we believe it's become chronic. When the key's turned, it just clicks like it wants to connect, but it doesnt.

It's not the battery according to the AMP meter. We believe it has something to do with the gearbox and the starter motor. I vaguely recall Graeme mentioning to shift the gears up and down and put it to neutral to start the car.

Has anybody experienced this? We'd like to have an idea what's wrong before we bring it for service! Also can someone recommend a good mechanic in the Northshore (NSW) please?

Thanks in advance,
Epsom Green

[gruntfuttock]

Sounds like the solenoid.

Try tapping it with a hammer whilst some one is turning the key.

[justinc]

I agree, Solenoid contacts most likely. (Although they usually don't cause the M and S lamps to flash, It could also be the TX switch on the trans...)

JC

[EpsomGreen]

Hi Guys,
The solenoid is fine as we tried that with the NRMA guy. It charged when we turned the key. The car eventually started, but we're turning the key up to 20 times.
Any other ideas anyone? PS the M+S is not flashing anymore.
EG

[llandro]

Hi E/G.
Hope you are joking when you say you have spent $7k. on two services.
I have had a 300tdi, '97, (now 190k.) since new, and have not spent 1 cent on services.
Why? I do them all myself.
That is an exhorbitant amount, and seeing as that you are going to very reputable service providers without proper satisfaction I believe something is wrong somewhere.
I would suggest (as an oldy from the bush) you are getting a "tug along" from your mechanics.
llandro

[EpsomGreen]

Trivett definitely gave us a run for our money without a doubt because GC told us that there were parts that should have been replaced at the 100K service. On top of this, we found hairline fractures on clamps after the Trivett service that we had to replace ourselves! $4.5K was spent at GC only 10K kms ago. I really dont want to spend similar amounts again despite the love I have for the disco.
City slicker like me have no idea how to service my own truck and naively hope that mechanics from both establishments will do the right thing! Surely I shouldnt be experiencing the same problem every 10K, right? So I am very jealous that you can.
We are hosting a party at home on the 3rd, Llandro, maybe you're definitely a good friend to have!
Can you recommend someone who can take a look at the disco for us that is reliable?

[Psimpson7]

Hi E/G.
have not spent 1 cent on services.
Why? I do them all myself.

llandro

Were all the parts free then.....?

[George130]

Only times I have had this issue were caused by three different things.
1 Bad connection in the starter motor wire plug.
2 Car not in park correctly or wiring to gearbox.
3 Bad battery.

For one wiggle the small wire to the starter and try again.
For 2 try neutral and at some point check all wiring to the gearbox.
For 3 get battery fully load tested and if it fails replace.

Good luck.

[Ace]

Cant help you with the issue but as for a mechanic go to a land rover place, dont waste time with other mechanics. Graeme Cooper is one of the best in the business and Bruce Davis near windsor is really good aswell. Not northshore i know but dont waste time with general mechanics land rovers need specialty mechanics. They might charge a bit more but it saves you money in the long run cause they often know the problem so can just fix it instead of spending hours diagnosing.

[llandro]

E.P.
I would love to help you diagnose some of those problems, but I am here, you are there!
I struck upon a bloke with a td5 going nowhere in a 'van park in Charleville a few years ago. Whatever he did, it would not go above idle.
The under bonnet situation, all covered over with sound proof stuff looked like a complete bag of mysteries.
I wriggled a couple of wires attached to the mudguard inner, from the cabin came "hey, that light just went out", next thing it was again running like a "landrover watch".
TD5- earthing, I have heard it now quite a few times.

No, Psimson, the parts were not free.
Engine oil at "whatever cost" plus
filters every 5k. (vary from $12 to $18).
Air filter (x3now replaced) @ $25
Rear diff. pinion seal $8.50
Timing belt, front oil seal, o ring $95
I first changed the timing belt at 90k., I will be doing the next change at about 200k. But will be checking the idler/tension bearings regularly to monitor them.
Gearbox oil changed once, replaced with ATF.(as the book says)
Diffs and T/case also oil changed.
So no, you are correct, it has been much more than "not a cent". but I have never paid $90+/hr. labour to have it poorly done for me.
llandro

[Bundalene]

Hi, your TD5 starting problem sounds like a starter motor problem. I have gone through this recently with a TD5 Disco - the solenoid clicks like it is going in but the starter won't turn.

As these starter motors wear a bit the air gap between the solenoid plunger and the soleniod coil increases a bit. As a result when the solenoid is energised it doesn't engage fully - there is an insulating spacer on the inside of the plunger which interferes with one of the contact blocks.

Solution - either buy a new starter - Land Rover Dealer price over $1k or Karcraft or similar for a more reasonable price (pretty sure it is the same Nippondenso starter) or file off a smidgon off the contact block and insulating washer as I did - probably good for another 100k kms

As for the gearbox warning lights ????

Good luck, Erich

[BigT]

Hi epsomgreen
i had exactly the same problem with my ex 02 D2.
if you watch the dash lights when you turn on the ignition , you will notice the glow light doesn't light in the sequence, if it doesn't light up the buggers won't start . had mine to the mechs time after time found bare wires up around the head re taped them fixed it for a week then finally found out after i got fed up with it and traded it on a japper that it is mostly caused by the AC dripping onto the modulator for the auto (which i suggested to the mech but he said Nah wouldn't be that)
Now back in the hunt for another D2 TD5 auto.

[CraigE]

Hey EpsomGreen, I have no doubt there is a fair bit more to the $7k being spent on 2 services than just basic servicing. If it was just for servicing you have been ripped. 100,000km service should only be max of $1k, but if you have had other repairs done could turn to $7k easily. Without seeing a list of what was done it is hard to comment.
I do most of my own servicing and send to specialists for work I can not do.

[harlie]

Hi Guys,
The solenoid is fine as we tried that with the NRMA guy. It charged when we turned the key. The car eventually started, but we're turning the key up to 20 times.
Any other ideas anyone? PS the M+S is not flashing anymore.
EG

Hi - have a 99TD5 117kms and I've just been through this. M&S was voltage problem, cleaned all the earthing points - this solved them for a couple of months, new battery solved them for good. I assume that as the 5 year old battery lost it's condition it's no longer able to mask any weeker points until it can't supply the voltage to keep evey thing happy.

Also had to turn key several times as described here, get a loud click but no action - it would eventually start, it got worse and eventually one night it took over an hour, can't be park selector issue or it would not even click. RACQ tried the tapping of solenoid but made NO difference. Problem solved with a Starter and Solenoid recondition - $350. Solenoid contacts were nearly completely gone!

[EpsomGreen]

Hi All,
Thank you for the various points-of-view. It's good to have some idea before going to the "wolves". We're bringing the disco back to Graeme Cooper if we can't get into Bruce Davis.
I'll keep you posted.
Regards,
EP

[thorby]

I cant help with any words of wisdom as my 2000 TD5 is doing the same thing I put a new battery in it and it was fine for a week now its started again, turn the key and it just clicks cleaned all the terminals on the starter still no good. might pull the starter down this weekend see what I find

[Bundalene]

I cant help with any words of wisdom as my 2000 TD5 is doing the same thing I put a new battery in it and it was fine for a week now its started again, turn the key and it just clicks cleaned all the terminals on the starter still no good. might pull the starter down this weekend see what I find

If the starter is clicking your problem is either voltage drop - flat battery / bad main power cable connection or worn contacts in the starter.

A set of solenoid contacts including the plunger is under $40 from an Auto Electrical supplier. The same part is used on numerous 4wds, including the 100Series Land Cruiser. The only other servicable part on the starter are the brushes but these last for ages.

Cheers, Erich

[EpsomGreen]

The starter contact was so worn out, there was hardly any left. A neighbour came round, got under the Disco and replaced it. He had a spare part from when he fixed his Defender.
So, many thanks for everyone's input!
Have a safe and prosperous 2009, everyone.
Best wishes,
Epsom Green

[abaddonxi]

The starter contact was so worn out, there was hardly any left. A neighbour came round, got under the Disco and replaced it. He had a spare part from when he fixed his Defender.
So, many thanks for everyone's input!
Have a safe and prosperous 2009, everyone.
Best wishes,
Epsom Green

Sounds like you've got the right kind of neighbour.

Cheers
Simon