Thread: starting troubles

Probably an elderly fuel pump. Have someone bang the bottom of the fuel tank with a lump of wood while you're cranking it over. Assuming your D1 is stock, the fuel pump assembly is accessible via a hatch under the rear load space carpet. Check the wiring plug at the tank for burnt plastic around the pins. Check for power during cranking at the plug using a light globe. There is also a connector above the resonator at the end of the exhaust system. A (1988-1997) Commodore or Falcon in-tank pump can be substituted for the LR in-tank pump. Use yours as a sample when you get to an auto parts shop.

Thanks so much. That's what I suspected. But would a faulty fuel pump only give troubles at starting? Because once it's running it runs fine... Also does the banging the fuel tank loosen a sticky part? If so I could pull the pump out and free it up? Cheers

The pump is sealed so you can't get at the worn brushes in any case. The brushes will be worn to the point that they only just make contact, and cooling down after a run just disconnects them. A bump jars them just enough to make contact with the commutator. It will probably fail while driving in the near future. Here's one that I cut open a few years ago:



The brushes are worn down to short nubs and the commutator is badly chewed. Vertical thumping gives just enough contact to run for a while. All I can say is that they last longer than one would think a small motor like that should last.

might not be of help but i remember in my old r31 nissan the starter motor would not crank over at times. cant remember if it was usually on cold days or on hot days. but i had a piece of pipe next to my seat and would have to lean into the bonnet and give the starter taps whilst turning the key and would start her up.

so bit like fuel pump comment above.

i could hear the fuel pump though when turning the key to ignition on before actually starting up, so not sure would be same problem as you but thought id throw in a penny.

I'v had the fuel hose from the pump to the lid of the pump cradle develop a small split. Fuel drains from line when it sits, then have to crank it for a while before it starts.

Also had the fuel hose come right off in the tank on my Rangie, on a nice frosty morning on the way to work

Hi folks,
Just thought i would let you guys know how things went now i am back in civilization and on a proper PC instead of using one of those awful touchscreen smart phones!

I carry a lot of spares in my Landy and as such happened to carry a spare fuel pump assembly from a wrecked discovery! ...my shed is full of spare parts from two disassembled discoveries that i use on my disco.

I suspected the problem was the fuel pump after all the usual checks when it would not start, and having the opinions of you guys on the forum reinforce that is a great confidence boost when you are camped in the middle of nowhere.

I had only recently replaced the fuel tank in the disco thus knew my way around the process and swapped the fuel pump out in the bush (after having to remove my custom drawers for the upteenth time!) and had no issues the rest of the trip. I also got a brand new fuel pump sent to me on the road from TRSpares who i always go to first for spare parts for my disco as their customer service i have found to be great.

The trip was about 9000km in the disco across Australia and out into the wilderness but there was no further troubles after the fuel pump - except for bog holes and slippery outback roads which are all part of the fun! Most of the campsites were superb although the temperatures were dropping to -6 Celsius (thus covering the disco in ice, so i tucked in my disco each night with an old sleeping bag around the engine).

Thanks!

I am finding on the very odd occasion when I key on, I WONT here my fuel pump run to prime the rail. A few flicks of the key usually get it sorted, is this the same problem you were experiencing? Might be worth a trip down to the wreckers to grab an old Ford pump