Thread: TD5 Starting troubles continue....

This sounds like a 2003 130 we have in at times, had an intermittent start fault for quite some time that i just couldn't pinpoint. Exactly the same symptoms, would crank but not fire, even engine check lamp would come on after repeated attempts and log a 'noisy crank signal' fault code.

Turned out to be that the main battery connection into the fuse box under the drivers seat was never tightened from new, after the fuse box started leaking smoke out from under the drivers seat one day!

Been perfect ever since repair.

Also check ALL earths under the drivers seat, There are 2 earth wires attached to posts under there for engine and ABS ECU's.

JC

Thanks for the quick reply JC.

Will check those again, just to make sure I haven't missed anything - I feel a bit overwhelmed with the 110 at times... there a sooo many things to rule out. My check engine light lights up after cranking for about 6 secs ??? Is that anything important to note?

Originally Posted by sasreg

Thanks for the quick reply JC.

Will check those again, just to make sure I haven't missed anything - I feel a bit overwhelmed with the 110 at times... there a sooo many things to rule out. My check engine light lights up after cranking for about 6 secs ??? Is that anything important to note?

The lamp coming on means it has logged that crank signl fault again. I hope it is something silly like voltage issues to the ECU etc, have you tried another / bigger battery? Added another earth strap from the engine block to the body directly? The ECU gets its earth etc from body points, not directly to engine or battery. Defenders are funny like that with poor body earths developing after some time, especially in tropics or corrosive environments.

Keep looking.

JC

Have tried a new battery.. It has a dual setup and both batteries are high quality and charged. Where exactly should I run another earth strap? Engine block to which part of the body? Can I temporarily use a jump lead? Are the earths under the drivers seat the only ones I need to be concerned with?

Hi there,

my guess is your starter motor, the cooper contacts in the solenoid wear and give a bad connection, you cannot tell by the sound it makes when starting, starter draws to much current from the system, ecu is struggling to run as it should.

Denso contact sets should be available for little money, only take 10 minutes to change, if starter is on your workbench that is.

good starting

richard

Originally Posted by justinc

The lamp coming on means it has logged that crank signl fault again. I hope it is something silly like voltage issues to the ECU etc, have you tried another / bigger battery? Added another earth strap from the engine block to the body directly? The ECU gets its earth etc from body points, not directly to engine or battery. Defenders are funny like that with poor body earths developing after some time, especially in tropics or corrosive environments.

Keep looking.

JC

Justin should we earth the ECU to the battery?

Originally Posted by djam1

Justin should we earth the ECU to the battery?

No need, it has an earth in its loom. BUT the earthing to the body is an issue sometimes, I add another earth strap from the battery to the bottom of one of the passenger seat mounting bolts thread.

JC

With you high speed crank fault you need to fit a shim under the crank sensor. Part numer NSJ000010.
What does your battery voltage drop to when cranking?