Td5 starting problems

[rijidij]

My '99 Td5 Defender wouldn't start this morning. Dash lit up as normal, fuel pump running etc. Nothing noticably wrong until I turned the key to start the engine.........nothing happened, no clicking noises or anything, just nothing. Tried several times with same result.
Drove the Rangie to work. Got home tonight and thought I'd see if I could sort it out. Turned the key and it started instantly first time. Vehicle was exactly how I left it this morning.
Is this a Td5 'thing' ???? I haven't had it long, so I'm not real familiar with it yet.
Any suggestions of the cause ????

Cheers, Murray

[Psimpson7]

Loose battery terminals?

Faulty ignition switch?

[green_disco]

Most likely radio signal interference on the same frequency as the car's security system. Has happened to me a couple of times at certain shopping centres.

[Aaron]

If you notice the ignition switch is a bit looser than normal, it could be that back of the ignition starting to work its way out.

Could be the contacts in the starter slowly dying. If thats the case, you enjoy getting that top nut off the starter. :-)

[werdan]

Was the car already unlocked this morning? If the fob battery is on it's way out, it won't disable the engine immobiliser when in proximity. If the car is left for more than 5 minutes, the immobiliser will kick in again but you have to manually press the unlock button if you want to start it. If you've locked it up and then come back in the evening to try to start it, the immobiliser would have been already disabled when you unlocked it.

That's what happened to mine just after I got it but mine's a 2003 model. I replaced the fob batteries and it was all good again.

[TD5_Fender]

It will be the contacts in the starter motor solenoid cos this is exactly the same thing that happened to mine, they where just about completely worn away. If you are capable enough just pull the starter motor out [is only 2 bolts and 1 nut] take it to an auto electrician and get a set of contacts. They are pretty easy to get and change over as it is a Denso starter motor

Only takes an hour or so to do and is a cheap fix. Anyway hope this helps

Cheers Shane

[charlito]

Hi there. Had the same thing happen with my TD5 Disco. Just relocked the car with the remote and then unlocked it again. The first time it had'nt disarmed the imobiliser.;)

[dennisS1]

The man did say TD5 defender 99 what security system? the only remote my 2000 has is a flat metal key.

[Psimpson7]

The 'no click' rules out the starter aswell doesnt it?

[Aaron]

Mine gave a click at the begining of the problem. As it got worse sometimes it wouldnt do a thing.

Same for the ignition switch also.

But both problems started with a click and progressed to a "nothing" so perhaps it is something security related.

[TD5_Fender]

Mine never clicked it would either start or you would have nothing which made me think it was the ignition switch. But i had power down at the starter motor solenoid so that ruled that out. Car had only done 140k but the coper contacts had just about disintegrated

Cheers Shane

[rijidij]

Well, this morning it did the same thing, so I got under the Defender and gave the starter motor and solenoid a little tap with the wheel brace. It started imediately, no problem. Did the same thing again while I was out, so it appears it is just something like the contacts in the starter. I'll pull the starter out when I get a chance.

Thanks for all the replies.

Funny how, with a Td5, you expect a problem to be something electronic related.

Cheers, Murray

[scarry]

Thanks for all the replies.

Funny how, with a Td5, you expect a problem to be something electronic related.

Cheers, Murray

Strange how people think like this,i have had TD5's,for ten yrs,& never had an electronics problem.

If you check posts & threads on this sites,i recon most probs are not electronic......

[justinc]

Well, this morning it did the same thing, so I got under the Defender and gave the starter motor and solenoid a little tap with the wheel brace. It started imediately, no problem. Did the same thing again while I was out, so it appears it is just something like the contacts in the starter. I'll pull the starter out when I get a chance.

Thanks for all the replies.

Funny how, with a Td5, you expect a problem to be something electronic related.

Cheers, Murray

Hi Murray,

To get the starter out you will need a 15mm SINGLE HEX socket, preferrably 3/8th drive, a 6" extension and ratchet to reach the impossible top nut:mad:. (I sometimes have to use a short pipe on the ratchet handle as the top nut is quite tight, best method is all from underneath) The other 2 are easy 13mm ring spanner ones. The contact set and plunger are readily available through any auto electrician, and are almost identical to Hilux 22R and Corona 21R starters. Very common = Cheap:) It is an easy job, and not necessary to overhaul the starter completely as the contact issue is usually a result of a leaking fuel block in the past, the mist of diesel residue tends to shorten the lifespan of the contacts due to arcing.
Any probs, give me a call on 0408 995 635.

JC

[rijidij]

Hi Murray,

To get the starter out you will need a 15mm SINGLE HEX socket, preferrably 3/8th drive, a 6" extension and ratchet to reach the impossible top nut:mad:. (I sometimes have to use a short pipe on the ratchet handle as the top nut is quite tight, best method is all from underneath) (No problem, I have a pit in the shed.)The other 2 are easy 13mm ring spanner ones. The contact set and plunger are readily available through any auto electrician, and are almost identical to Hilux 22R and Corona 21R starters. Very common = Cheap:) (At last,a cheap part for a Landy.....well, my V8 did take a common Z9 oil filter I suppose):D It is an easy job, and not necessary to overhaul the starter completely as the contact issue is usually a result of a leaking fuel block in the past, the mist of diesel residue tends to shorten the lifespan of the contacts due to arcing.
Any probs, give me a call on 0408 995 635.

JC

Thanks JC,
I'll be giving the Defender a service when I get a chance. I'll tackle it then, when I also take the sump off to check 'that bolt'.

Cheers, Murray

[Aaron]

Make sure you get the single hex socket.

My contacts cost me $12

And again, enjoy the top nut :D

[justinc]

Make sure you get the single hex socket.

My contacts cost me $12
And again, enjoy the top nut :D

Hi Aaron,

Did that $12 include the plunger?

JC

[Aaron]

Now you are digging up the painfull past.

I'll cut the story down -

Buy parts - 12 Dollars (just the contacts)
Spend a good hour on the top nut
Decide to hand it over to auto elec before I destroy the nut
Request the contacts be replaced
Return that afternoon "Hi Aaron, your starter motor overhaul is complete"
$$$
Return home to look at their work, and see the snorkel wasn't re-connected:eek:

Owell, now I have a new starter motor I guess.

[rijidij]

What is the advantage of a single hex socket, and why do you stress to use one in this case in particular ? I'm guessing they are a more positive fit and less likely to damage the nut in a tight situation such as the 'top nut'. I have some single hex impact sockets, I'll have to see if there's a 15mm one there.

Murray

[rijidij]

Just noticed this on Ebay, though I'll just get the parts from my local autoelect.

LANDROVER DISCOVERY DIESEL TD5 STARTER REPAIR KIT 98 on - eBay, Other Car Parts, Accessories, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 17-Mar-09 09:35:43 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/LANDROVER-DISCOVERY-DIESEL-TD5-STARTER-REPAIR-KIT-98-on_W0QQitemZ260373094850QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Car_ Parts_Accessories?hash=item260373094850&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)

[Aaron]

What is the advantage of a single hex socket, and why do you stress to use one in this case in particular ? I'm guessing they are a more positive fit and less likely to damage the nut in a tight situation such as the 'top nut'. I have some single hex impact sockets, I'll have to see if there's a 15mm one there.

Murray

You got it in one.

You will see when you do the job. The top nut is not only tight, but pretty awkward to keep the socket seated properly. The single hex just gives you that little bit extra help. My advice is to try getting the top nut off first, because if you cant get that, there is no point to the other two.

You will need to disconect the power cables to the starter to make room though.

If... no.. When you get angry, and try to aproach it from the top, becarefull of the coolant line that you will have to push to the side. They snap before the bend.


Oh, and if you have a second person available it will make it easier. Use the second person to come in from the top to hold you extension bar square on the nut.

Make sure you have a breaker bar also. There really is no room to get any leverage.

Dont be put off by my posts, Im about as novice as it gets when it comes to mechanics.

[rijidij]

.........To get the starter out you will need a 15mm SINGLE HEX socket, preferrably 3/8th drive, a 6" extension and ratchet to reach the impossible top nut:mad:.

JC

Well the job's done. The 'impossible top nut' was actually quite easy to get off because...........It wasn't even there:eek: The previous owner must have had a lot of 'fun' with it if he couldn't even be bothered puting it back on.

Anyway, thanks for everyone's input. I've posted a tutorial to show how I went about the fix >>>>>>>>>>>http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-tutorials/76115-td5-starter-repair-diy.html

Cheers, Murray

[isuzubob]

The previous owner must have had a lot of 'fun' with it if he couldn't even be bothered puting it back on.

Cheers, Murray

Maybe he did put it on, but could only get it finger tight, or slightly better & it vibrated off?

[rijidij]

Maybe he did put it on, but could only get it finger tight, or slightly better & it vibrated off?

That's quite likely too.
I was warned that it was going to be difficult to get to, and they were right.

Murray

[Aaron]

In my reasearch when I did mine, it seemed quite common people didnt bother to re-fit the top nut. I think a lick of anti seize would be a better idea though.