Intermittent starting problem

[dullbird]

So my 96 Disco 300tdi has intermittent starting problems
usually when Hot can't seem to recreate but once it has done it if the car is left anywhere between 10/30 mins the car will then fire.

one time it happen Discowhite put a multi meter on the car to check the output on the starter etc and all seemed fine and only had 1 amp drop when engine turned over (although this was about 40mins after the problem and the car had started fine since)

we thought it might be the inhibitor switch so we played with it but to no avail.....
its not the immobilizer as that has the spider on it, pulled that and the contacts are all clean and no signs of being burnt out.....any suggestions other than changing the starter and solenoid and inhibitor on the gear box

by the way when it happens we have all dash lights just NOTHING in regards to the engine firing.

When it does fire seemingly after the engine bay has cooled it fires straight away before even finishing the full turn of the key...no delay no nothing!

[Xtreme]

Clean up the HT power lead where it attaches to the starter and check/clean your earth connections also.

Roger

[350RRC]

Spider.

Here you go:

The Definitive Alarm Spider Post - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum (http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php'showtopic=86)

cheers, DL

[tony]

The key barrel, or the terminial from the barrel to the starter relay,

on my RRC ther was a bad conection in the block that all the wires go to on the back of the barrel, sometimes it would make contact car would start, sometimes would'nt...took me ages to find that...

T

[dullbird]

Clean up the HT power lead where it attaches to the starter and check/clean your earth connections also.

Roger


all earths were cleaned in fact we even put a new live and earth strap on as I was also having lazy starting in the cold...but this only happens in the heat

[Pierre]

On Daisy (same like yours), the starter switch went cactus.

Replaced it, and all was well. But get a new one, not a used one.

It comes off the back of the key barrel with two small screws.

HTH

Pete

[350RRC]

On Daisy (same like yours), the starter switch went cactus.

Replaced it, and all was well. But get a new one, not a used one.

It comes off the back of the key barrel with two small screws.

HTH

Pete

I've had the same prob as this with a RRC. I am not familiar with the binnacle / switch arrangement on a Disco.

After a long time with this irritating prob (not heat related in my case) I took the binnacle cover off and could get contact by wobbling the actual switch (wires coming out) that is fixed onto the end of the barrel.

Contacts wear in the switch. Still reckon it will be the spider.

good luck! DL

[dullbird]

why do you think its the spider if its not showing signs of burn out on the contacts?

[weeds]

i had a similar problem and it ended up being the starter motor, what was actually wrong, sorry cannot help ya as i forgot to ask

[350RRC]

why do you think its the spider if its not showing signs of burn out on the contacts?

Did you take the cover off and have a look inside? The outside contacts can look ok, but there might be dry joints inside. The LR thread I linked to above has the proper full diagnosis procedure any way.

cheers, DL

[rangieman]

Fit a relay to the feed wire from the ignition to the starter , this should help;)
This is what we did to falcons a few moons ago that showed similar problems as to your Tdi;)

[camel_landy]

Quick one... The earth strap on the Disco, does it go to the body, chassis or to the engine??

The reason I ask is that the problems you're having is also a classic symptom of a dodgy earth between the battery & the engine.

HTH

M

[dullbird]

battery to chassi......I believe.

[justinc]

DB,

Try adding an extra earth lead from the battery straight to one of the A/C compressor mounting bracket bolts on the timing case. You will need 600mm long lead, an 8mm lug at one end and a 10mm lug at the other to fit the A/C bracket bolt diameter.

I would suggest also bypassing the spider altogether, there is a bypass plug available from LR to do this. Everything else still works, only it just immobilises the immobiliser:p.

From the symptoms you are suggesting, it sounds like either a starter fault IE solenoid or brushes, or a spider problem. (NOT the arachnoid variety either)

Fitting the extra earth strap is a good idea ANYWAY, the D1 has a pretty useless engine to chassis earth lead...

JC

[camel_landy]

Ahhh... If it's only to the chassis, I'm with JC.

I cured my hot start problems (among others) with an earth strap to the starter motor bolt. Mind you, as long as it's run to a substantial mounting on the engine it should do the same job.

There is a good reason why this happens but I won't bore you with the details.

M

[dullbird]

DB,

Try adding an extra earth lead from the battery straight to one of the A/C compressor mounting bracket bolts on the timing case. You will need 600mm long lead, an 8mm lug at one end and a 10mm lug at the other to fit the A/C bracket bolt diameter.



I would suggest also bypassing the spider altogether, there is a bypass plug available from LR to do this. Everything else still works, only it just immobilises the immobiliser:p.

From the symptoms you are suggesting, it sounds like either a starter fault IE solenoid or brushes, or a spider problem. (NOT the arachnoid variety either)

Fitting the extra earth strap is a good idea ANYWAY, the D1 has a pretty useless engine to chassis earth lead...

JC

I have a bypass plug and as far as I'm aware it is refered to as a spider. because of all the black wires that feed back into themselves and the plug:p...and yes I also believe it is a landrover part.

anyway the reason I have brought this up again is thanks to a member of the site I got my hands on a starter, and since fitted I have not had a problem....the car starts before I even have chance to release the key. This includes the cold and damp mornings that it used to be REALLY sluggish on.....

Also Ian towed a car home with my disco today and stopped and started the car a number of times after, doing so with no problems. Although the day wasn't hot which seemed to becoming a big factor in the car not starting, it also wouldn't run on coolish days either after a long run....

Any way fingers crossed new starter is on and not had a problem for the last 2 months of it being fitted:)

[discowhite]

so am i now doing starter motor repairs and fualt checking 101??:D

cheers phil

[dullbird]

so am i now doing starter motor repairs and fualt checking 101??:D

cheers phil

you have lost me??

[Barefoot Dave]

G'Day All : ))
I'm having similair issues with my D2. Will check the above.
Have replaced Battery, contacts in starter solinoid, nanocom (thanks Steve) is giving me an inlet air temp (current) fault and glow plug relay (current).
Techs assessment is starter, the contacts that I have already changed ; /
Will update on which particular gremlin is at work here.
Cheers, Dave.

[dullbird]

just for the record mine was the starter I put a new one in and I don't even get a chance to fully turn the key before it fires..

since putting in a new starter, I have never had it let me down with these instances since. starter has probably nearly been on a year now