Thread: 300tdi Won't Start

If it's the starter motor can someone suggest an auto electrician in Canberra who is reasonable?

If you go and get the starter motor tested and it's OK. there is another possibility relevant to MA series (1995) Tdi's - the jumper wire located where the alarm would be if it was fitted. Connector C274, pins 1 & 2. White plug with only 1 wire in a loop ( Above passenger left foot) If you have a factory alarm and disconnect it, the starter relay isn't grounded and hence no go- Of course, try listening for the starter relay to click when you try to turn it over. (Behind kick panel, next to right foot of driver). If you've tried cleaning the connector on top of the starter behind the turbo, then it may be that the starter motor has indeed had it.

Hi , Have a look at the fuses as this happen to me as all the lights came on ,but no turning over ,thinking the whose , saw a fuse out and bingo she started ,

cheers alex

Have you checked the wire that goes to the fuel injection pump? - Front of engine driver side - this sometimes gets shaken loose or clags up.

Cheers
Simon.

Originally Posted by langy

If you go and get the starter motor tested and it's OK. there is another possibility relevant to MA series (1995) Tdi's - the jumper wire located where the alarm would be if it was fitted. Connector C274, pins 1 & 2. White plug with only 1 wire in a loop ( Above passenger left foot) If you have a factory alarm and disconnect it, the starter relay isn't grounded and hence no go- Of course, try listening for the starter relay to click when you try to turn it over. (Behind kick panel, next to right foot of driver). If you've tried cleaning the connector on top of the starter behind the turbo, then it may be that the starter motor has indeed had it.

Langy, could you tell us which pins on the connector to the alarm unit you need to jumper together to get the car to start ie to bypass the alram unit ? It has always been a concern to me - I have had one alarm unit fail on me before, (fortunately not in the bush ) and it can completely stop the car from starting. From you post above it appears it is pins 1 and 2 you jumper together is that correct ?

( sorry if this is hijacking the thread )

For Mr P - Yep, according to RAVE thats right - perhaps easier to remember that all it does is ground starter relay.

Took the Disco to a auto electrician, to sort out the problem. Found to be the starter relay was about 4v down when the engine was hot, this was the cause of the intermitant starting problem. Instead of replacing the relay fitted another relay that reacts to 3v in the circuit.

When turning the key the engine now seems to start sooner before reaching the end of travel of the key. Fingers crossed this has solved the problem, so far so good.