Dead Defender

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simkin

New Member
Posts
13
Location
Brentwood, Essex, UK
I finally bought myself the 110 CSW I've been promising myself for years and whilst it needs some work it started first time and ran well from the old owner's place to my drive. Trying to start it a few days later gets nothing.

Electrics seem good (headlights, radio, Battery voltage OK - charged and tested with conditioner anyway)
Turning the key to start fires the starter relay in the fuse box (can see it spark through the translucent casing).
If headlights are on they dim very slightly when it should be starting, which the trusty Haynes tells me indicates power must be getting to the starter and means I don't suspect the steering column electrics.
Fuses all tested and good.
Testing the spade connector on the fuel pump shows it is getting power.
Just no life from under the bonnet. Not even a whirrr.

There is an old Clifford alarm fitted but I'm not savvy enough to tell if there is also an immobiliser but the above diagnostics makes me think not.

I started dismantling the exhaust front pipe to get to the starter motor but lack of daylight and some bolts that won't budge meant I just want to double check that I'm following the next logical step that wiser Landy owners would try.

One other odd thing which is probably unrelated is that what looks like the turbo outlet valve (if that is what it is called) seems to be disconnected. Is this related and/or should I be fixing that?


The Defender sits on my drive looking at me very forlornly at the moment and walking everywhere is getting a bit tedious now. Any and all help appreciated.
 

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>>Have you tried with a fresh new fully charged battery?

No. I ran my wife's car next to the landy and tried to Jump it but not a new battery yet.

I trickle charged the battery overnight and used a conditioner with a voltage gauge to check I was getting the 13volts it should be chucking out. I even topped-up the water in it just to be belts-and-braces.

After all that I thought I'd ruled out the battery. Am I wrong?:confused:
 
I finally bought myself the 110 CSW I've been promising myself for years and whilst it needs some work it started first time and ran well from the old owner's place to my drive. Trying to start it a few days later gets nothing.

Electrics seem good (headlights, radio, Battery voltage OK - charged and tested with conditioner anyway)
Turning the key to start fires the starter relay in the fuse box (can see it spark through the translucent casing).
If headlights are on they dim very slightly when it should be starting, which the trusty Haynes tells me indicates power must be getting to the starter and means I don't suspect the steering column electrics.
Fuses all tested and good.
Testing the spade connector on the fuel pump shows it is getting power.
Just no life from under the bonnet. Not even a whirrr.

There is an old Clifford alarm fitted but I'm not savvy enough to tell if there is also an immobiliser but the above diagnostics makes me think not.

I started dismantling the exhaust front pipe to get to the starter motor but lack of daylight and some bolts that won't budge meant I just want to double check that I'm following the next logical step that wiser Landy owners would try.

One other odd thing which is probably unrelated is that what looks like the turbo outlet valve (if that is what it is called) seems to be disconnected. Is this related and/or should I be fixing that?


The Defender sits on my drive looking at me very forlornly at the moment and walking everywhere is getting a bit tedious now. Any and all help appreciated.

Hook the wastegate back on (photie);)
 
Did ye check yer fuel stop solenoid? Is the engine turning over and not firing?? Ah know it's not eally needed on a 200Tdi.. but are ye letting the glow plug light go out before trying to start??? Have ye checked glow plugs????
 
Did ye check yer fuel stop solenoid? Is the engine turning over and not firing?? Ah know it's not eally needed on a 200Tdi.. but are ye letting the glow plug light go out before trying to start??? Have ye checked glow plugs????

Engine isn't turning over. Turning the key to start does nothing.

Glow plug light is off but I have not pulled them yet. Is there an easy test for those other than going any buying new ones and swapping?

I'll have a look at the fuel stop but would I at least hear the starter motor trying to have a go?

Hook the wastegate back on
I'll do that. Thanks. It is resisting which I assume is normal so a reasonable amount of force won't break it?
 
Engine isn't turning over. Turning the key to start does nothing.

Check yer earths... especially the one that's near the battery box on the chassis.

Glow plug light is off but I have not pulled them yet. Is there an easy test for those other than going any buying new ones and swapping?
There might be summit in here...

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f41/renewing-glow-plugs-86457.html



I'll have a look at the fuel stop but would I at least hear the starter motor trying to have a go?
Aye ye should... check yer earths again
;):D
 
if glow plug light not coming on check back of ignition switch is live when turned to correct position,then check lives at relays glowplug and starter trigger wires
 
if glow plug light not coming on check back of ignition switch is live when turned to correct position,then check lives at relays glowplug and starter trigger wires

Sorry should have been clearer. The glow plug light comes on at position II and goes out as expected. I wait for this before starting. It is only on very briefly anyway, but it does light.

The ignition will
 
Sorry should have been clearer. The glow plug light comes on at position II and goes out as expected. I wait for this before starting. It is only on very briefly anyway, but it does light.

The ignition will

on tenter hooks here!

I think it isnt getting enough power. Is there an audible click instead of the starter kicking in?
 
not enough power then. Have you got a circuit breaker key fitted by any chance?

Not that I've seen. I have an isolator for the winch. I've just been out and tested that and it works fine.

The middle (main) relay sparks when I release the ignition key from start to drop back to II, but not when I turn it to start. Is that normal?
 
I had exactly your symptoms when there wasn't enough power getting to the starter and it turned out it was coz of a dodgy connection on the isolator switch i fitted on the battery box.

Sounds to me like the motor isn't getting enough power - most likely is the earth lead but it could be anything, low battery, dodgy battery connection, etc.
 
I had exactly your symptoms when there wasn't enough power getting to the starter and it turned out it was coz of a dodgy connection on the isolator switch i fitted on the battery box.

Sounds to me like the motor isn't getting enough power - most likely is the earth lead but it could be anything, low battery, dodgy battery connection, etc.

Thanks Oddie. I'll work my way through the earthing points and then it is either a new battery or starter motor. Pulling the starter moor and testing it on the battery or a trusted one will prove those two.

Thanks. I'll let you know how it goes.....
 
Finally got the time and help to test everything and it was the starter motor. Bloody pain to get at that thing. Ended up dropping out the front exhaust section and removing the bonnet.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm off to find a new starter motor tomorrow and then have the fun of doing the same thing in reverse. Now I wonder which wire goes where.....?
 
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