Engine won't turn over (intermittent)

Oogabooga said:

1999 2.0 Diesel Freelander 1, engine won't crank or turn over when I turn the key. Normal lights on dash. I don't think it's the battery or alternator. The only audible noise is the usual electrical buzz that always comes from the engine when the key is in (side question: where does hum that come from? Glow plugs? Alternator?) Anyway, some more details:

The other day I tried to fire up the Freelander, and nothing happened. I then tried again with the clutch pedal down, and it fired right up. I assume the clutch was coincidence as I don't see what that would have to do with ignition. A few days later, fired right up again, I drove for 10 minutes, parked, then it wouldn't start again, and had to do a gravity bump-start to get it going again.

I spoke briefly with my mechanic who reckons it may be the starter motor. I suppose other possibilities are wiring shorts, fuel pump stuff, immobiliser stuff, are those possibilities? I imagine starter motor is worst case/most pricey scenario. It's always nice to have a second opinion, so I'm curious to hear what you lot reckon before I take it into the garage on Thursday.

Cheers,
Ooga

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GrumpyGel said:

The pics above are for a TD4, yours is an L Series diesel.

I agree the starter is probably faulty. In which case, I'd just replace it - they are cheap and easily accessible on the L Series. I've had to replace mine twice.

From memory, there are a (couple of) spade connectors and a screw on wire and 2 bolts holding the starter motor in.

The first time my starter went, there were intermittent starting problems - then it just wouldn't start. However, that was because the car was immobilised - the alarm LED on the dash was on full. The electrical spikes generated by the failing starter had caused the system to immobilise itself - I was worried that it had fried the electrics, but disconnecting the battery for 20 mins cleared it. However, it was obvious what caused it and the starter was replaced.

When it started happening again, the starter was replaced much sooner!

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FREELANDER 2.0 Di L-SERIES DIESEL DENSO STARTER MOTOR REPAIR KIT 98 - 00 | eBay

LANDROVER FREELANDER 2.0 Di L-SERIES DIESEL STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID REPAIR KIT. Nippon Denso starter motor's fitted to the Freelander's are prone to failure and are very expensive to replace. THE NUMBER ON YOUR STARTER ISN'T NEEDED AS THERE IS ONLY ONE TYPE OF STARTER FITTED TO THE EARLY FREELANDER.

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