Thread: 300TDi Not turning over but not firing

The wiring for the solenoid is simple, goes back to Fuse 3, which also powers part of the glow plug timer. Concentrate on that fuse - it could be just a bit loose or corroded. You don't really need glow plugs anyway with the 300tdi.

Sound like the alarm spider. remove the spider and fit a link lead (AMR4956) They are usually under the radio and a real pain to get to, but have been found in other spots.

Fuse is fine and power is getting to the relay / timmer. I checked with a multimeter and both the accessories live and ingnition live are both working at the relay, but no outputs. Is there a secondary signal controlling the relay other than the ingnition live?

With regard to the spider, she's a 98 Disco TDI Auto and my understanding is they didnt have the immobaliser? Please correct me if i'm wrong. I actually have a spider that i was once going to fit but didnt once i learnt this.

I have a 98 Manual and have been told by LR that all 98 models have alarm/immobiliser (Read, SPIDER)!Once you have taken the centre dash apart several times you will really hate the bloody thing. Pull it out and move it to the bottom of the dash. Should fix the spider problem.

It would of been fitted with a spider, They were fitted to all disco1 with remote central locking. Remove the radio and the mount bracket and you can fit your hand down to see if it has a spider.
Don't bother fitting another spider they are more trouble than they are worth. Fit the link lead (AMR4956) or follow this V8Wizard This tells which wires to connect together to bypass it.

After a whole load of screws and scuffed hands i can confirm what i've read before, the 300TDI Auto Disco didnt have the spider. At least it certainly didnt in my car and I have read in the past that this model didnt have it.

So if anyone has any other suggestions it would be very much apprecated. Can any one let me know what i can test for on the timer / relay. I'm more concerened about the wiring as i have replaced the timer/relay. I already have the system bypassed so i can use her but i'm really keen to get her back to stock to avoid the nasty wiring.

Here's the wiring dia for the fuel solenoid:






Follow the power - start at fuse 3 with ign on and go from there. Forget about the glowplug circuit - in warmer climates the 300tdi does not need it. Since you've eliminated other stuff, my bet is on a corroded connector either inside or in the engine bay.

start simple, grab a 12v21w bulb put it between positive on the battery and the solenoid lead, if it lights up bright you have a short to earth if it doesnt light up at all turn the ignition on and see what it does.

IF when you first hook it up it glows brightly then goes dim then out your glow plug circuit is working correctly and the problem lies in the ignition barrel and the harness under the dash most likely on the relay board or the harnessing on the right side of the drivers footwell behind the drop down panel.

if it doesnt then its a wiring problem, leave the light in place, the ignition off and start backprobing the harness for voltage.