Crazy Starting problem on tdi

[farmergeo]

From the first day I acquired a 1997 tdi 110 I've had intermittent starting problems. Sometimes after stopping after a journey the Landie will not start. If left for +- 1 hour it starts. After reading on the forum about immobiliser faults I have removed the engine imbob spider and removed every fuse feeding the alarm system.I removed the earth wire from the starter relay and replaced it with the earth wire from the unused air con relay. For a few weeks the problem seemed solved, but last night the same thing happened.
I removed the passenger compartment fuse cover and noticed in the dark that the starter relay was arcing inside. I replaced the relay with the lights one and it did the same. I then shorted the ignition lead with the power lead at the starter and it started.From then it started every time normally. Now WHAT CAN THE PROBLEM BE?
Could it be that the starter coil is building up static electricity and when its shorted out its looses it (static)?
Thank you and any suggestions on curing the problem will be appreciated.

cheers,
Geo

[langy]

A couple of things to look for in the engine bay:

Engine-chassis-battery earth points. They could do with a clean up and some protection ( Usually grease).

Then the starter solenoid connection behind the turbo pipe ( A standard spade connector) could use a clean and tighten. It's that connector that if dirty, can cause your starting and maybe arcing problems.

[rrturboD]

ditto to langys notes,
I have suffered exactly the same issue, starter and solenoid etc are AOK, only happens when hot. I am presently carrying a single jumper lead to test the poor earth issue when it occurs next.

[nice1guv]

While you're checking the spade connection at the starter, also check the big steel earth cable from the back of the starter motor to the chasis rail.
They can start to wear through from rubbing over time and may even be postioned poorly and contacting the chasis at two points.

[farmergeo]

Thanks guys.I will do as you all suggested.

cheers,
Geo

[93RRC]

A suggestion i have is to take the disco for a drive and return it to somewhere you can work on it, garage, etc.

Check that it won't start normally. Then with an assistant turning the key,(chok the car of course and apply handbrake) check at the start motor solenoid connection with a multimeter.

You are looking for 12v there, if you do get it, and the disco won't start, it may be the mechanicals of the starter itself.

If not, trace it back through the circuit.

Cheers

Chris

1993 Range Rover Vogue SE

[camel_landy]

Exactly the same as I had...

Crap earth connection.

M

[dullbird]

ditto to langys notes,
I have suffered exactly the same issue, starter and solenoid etc are AOK, only happens when hot. I am presently carrying a single jumper lead to test the poor earth issue when it occurs next.

I had exactly te same issues wouldn't start when hot left for anywhere between 10 and 30 mins and would start no issues....



It was my starter...put a new one in never had an issues since. also dont have any slow starting in winter either. the car starts so fast I dont even get to complete the turn of the key. check the cheap things but from my experience I would say without a doubt it would be the starter motor

[LandyAndy]

The trigger wire on the starter is the culprit when it happens in hot weather.
It gets dirty during winter,combined with the the hot weather the voltage drop is increased,not enough to volts left to trigger the solenoid.Yep a new starter will fix the issue at a cost.Clean the small slide on feed at the starter motor and it will be fixed in 99.9% of the time.This is why it suddenly starts after its cooled down,Landrovers arent the only ones to suffer I can tell you!!!
Andrew

[dullbird]

The trigger wire on the starter is the culprit when it happens in hot weather.
It gets dirty during winter,combined with the the hot weather the voltage drop is increased,not enough to volts left to trigger the solenoid.Yep a new starter will fix the issue at a cost.Clean the small slide on feed at the starter motor and it will be fixed in 99.9% of the time.This is why it suddenly starts after its cooled down,Landrovers arent the only ones to suffer I can tell you!!!
Andrew


yeah problem with mine though was it started happening randomly on not so hot days as well

[farmergeo]

Hi All,

From the first day I acquired a 1997 tdi 110 I've had intermittent starting problems. ................................
Just an update on the above problem.I cleaned all the terminals and made up earth straps from the engine chassis and the body. Same problem.As a temperory measure I ran a lead from the stater solenoid into the cab and started direct from the battery when needed.Instead of tracing the fault along the wiring I made a new lead from the starter relay directly to the solenoid,problem solved.
Anyone doing this and bypassing the engine immobiliser must earth the starter relay as well.
cheers,
geo