300 Series Defender Starting problem

Bob the beast · Aug 21, 2019

Hi everyone, now I think I am in the correct area.
I have a 1998 defender 300 series, short wheel base, great Landy runs like a dream.
Problem is periodically it will not start, once every 3 to 4 weeks.
I am thinking its something to do with the spider and just immobilizing itself.?
However it will all ways start if i jump it from another car or push it and jump it (need a hill)
I don't understand how it can be the security system if I can just jump start it.
Any body have any ideas? before I go completely mad.

Bob The Beast

v8250 · Aug 21, 2019

Bob, this sounds like a tired battery or an airlock in the fuel system. Measure voltage across battery first, if possible when the old girl won't start - you should see 12.6 volts or above. When the engine is running, this should be a healthy 13.7 to 14.7 volts.

Scooby22 · Aug 21, 2019

Diesel engines require a very good battery to spin it fast to start it, although they turn over ok it will not be fast enough to provide the combustion in the cylinders if a little flat.
The fact that it starts with a jumper battery after it wont start on its own, points to your battery being the problem.

Bob the beast · Aug 27, 2019

v8250 said:
Bob, this sounds like a tired battery or an airlock in the fuel system. Measure voltage across battery first, if possible when the old girl won't start - you should see 12.6 volts or above. When the engine is running, this should be a healthy 13.7 to 14.7 volts.

Thanks for the pointer, it seems like it was the battery.

Bob the beast · Aug 27, 2019

Thanks for all the info everyone, it seems that it was indeed the Battery. done a bit of reading, a defender, 2.5 requires a battery with min 600 CCA, mine was a max of 560 CCA when new. Swapped for a larger Battery 900CCA and no problems yet.
Bob (the Beast)

The Unit · Aug 27, 2019

Bob the beast said:
Thanks for all the info everyone, it seems that it was indeed the Battery. done a bit of reading, a defender, 2.5 requires a battery with min 600 CCA, mine was a max of 560 CCA when new. Swapped for a larger Battery 900CCA and no problems yet.
Bob (the Beast)

Bob, I had a similar problem with a 200TDi. It turned out to be the starter motor solenoid return spring (normally in the "sealed" solenoid on top of the starter motor). On carefully prising the solenoid open I found the spring in 3 pieces - replaced it with a new one and it worked fine for the next 12+ years. Interestingly, symptoms were very similar to those you described - once every few weeks it just would not start.

Lief Zpring · Aug 28, 2019

I had similar intermittent starting problems. I gave the starting relay a little wiggle and it would start ok. I have a new relay on order.

300 Series Defender Starting problem

Bob the beast

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v8250

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Scooby22

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Bob the beast

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Bob the beast

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The Unit

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Lief Zpring

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