Disco 2 won’t turn over

Beau13 · Feb 22, 2019

Hi all,

New to Land Rovers and not overly mechanically minded but can do basics. I have a Discovery 2 that for a week would sometimes just click when trying to turn over and with several turns of the key eventually start, I’m still waiting for a new starter to be delivered but it has now completely gone and doesn’t even click. It is also sat down on the rear on one side. I could hear it trying to level out but with it not starting it hasn’t managed to do anything. I have read a lot of the forums here but nothing I can find seems quite like my issue. I am wondering if the suspension issue will be rectified once I can get it started?? I have plugged a computer onto it but no fault codes are being thrown up. I have also connected the battery direct to the starter motor and still nothing....does this mean it is definitely the starter motor rather than a relay or battery or xyz switch? I have watched ‘live’ on the computer and it shows it going in and out of wxyz ok when going through the auto box. Hope all this makes sense to someone as it only just about does to me! Thanks for listening and hope someone can advise.

Shimsteriom · Feb 22, 2019

Welcome

You're better asking questions in the Discovery forum

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/forum/land-rover-discovery.8/

Edit: If you give the starter motor a hit with Land Rover Tool #1 does it start?

brianconwy · Feb 22, 2019

The clicking sounds like the noise the solenoid makes when the contacts are worn but why it doesn't make that sound is odd. When you connected the battery did you connect it to the lucar terminal as well? For the price of solenoid contacts it is worth changing them while you have thee starter off.

Beau13 · Feb 23, 2019

Thanks guys. I thought I was on the Discovery forum, that’s how new to all this I am! I will give the starter a whack tomorrow and see!
I only connected the positive to the positive on the starter....is the lucar the spade terminal? I have new contacts coming too I’m hoping the new starter, etc will solve my issue but doubting myself and thought I would ask the pro’s in case I’m missing a trick. Thanks again

Rushjob · Feb 23, 2019

The starter lead powers the actual starter motor when the solenoid operates to start the car. The solenoid is operated by the wire connected to the lucar terminal so if you're trying to bypass the car's systems to prove that they are or are not part of the problem, once you have a battery lead direct to the starter with the motor earthed as well if it's been taken off the car you need to use a jumper wire, anything small will do to connect the battery feed to the motor across to the lucar terminal to operate the solenoid.

neilly · Feb 23, 2019

May be of help.

and also , shows bench testing.
https://x8r.co.uk/instructions/inde...starter-motor-repair-kit-install/?print=print

Cheers

sierrafery · Feb 23, 2019

Beau13 said:
I have also connected the battery direct to the starter motor and still nothing.

Then the solenoid will not cure it cos all the solenoid is doing is to connect live feed to the starter's main lead which you did without success

Beau13 said:
It is also sat down on the rear on one side. I could hear it trying to level out but with it not starting it hasn’t managed to do anything.

The compressor works only with engine running and maybe it will releval once the engine is started but if it dropped one side it means there is a leak (most likely the bag) then if you dont replace it you can ruin the compressor too cos it will work too hard to compensate for the leak

brianconwy · Feb 23, 2019

sierrafery said:
Then the solenoid will not cure it cos all the solenoid is doing is to connect live feed to the starter's main lead which you did without success

If he connected the live feed to the terminal then surely it won't power the motor till the solenoid moves and completes the contact?

sierrafery · Feb 23, 2019

I presumed that the man connected a live to the motor's main lead/terminal(as in the pic) which is the solenoid's output not to the main wire input which comes from the battery anyway cos that seems illoigcal to me... though if he connected it to the other side then you are right, the solenoid must close

brianconwy · Feb 23, 2019

It would be interesting to hear exactly what he has tried. Has he taken the starter off and connected the negative to the body and positive to the input from the solenoid? If it doesn't start then the its the starter.

Beau13 · Feb 23, 2019

Hi all, apologies for late reply I’ve just picked up a Freelander 2 for the missus. Now back to mine.
I need to be treated as a complete novice mechanic I’m afraid. I have put a lead to the main starter terminal but have also just checked the voltage and this terminal has 12v to it anyway so lead was pointless. There is a spade connector next to this terminal with the 12v which I just linked to the 12v terminal as this was my understanding from a comment above, it sparked and made a clunking sound (with no key in ignition) not sure if I was supposed to do this?? The starter is still in the car as it’s just in axle stands and my little arms couldn’t reach around to get the back but off yet? Shall I link the 12v and spade putting 12v to the spade terminal and then try starting the car or should it turn over without doing this? Thanks again for all the advice and apologies for being a bit stupid (I’m a plumber by trade but like to have a go at trying to sort some things myself....with a bit of help obviously )

Beau13 · Feb 23, 2019

I also neglected to mention that prior to getting completely nothing a few times when it did start the M & S lights would flash (limp mode I believe) which is why I’m honking this maybe something else as well as starter. As would the car recognise that the starter is on its way out?
Cheers

brianconwy · Feb 23, 2019

Its worth taking the starter off to have a look. Disconnect the battery first and then the two leads - main live feed and the spade connector. Undo the two bolts that are easy to get to. The nut at the back isn't as easy to get to. Use a socket and extension - the distance from the tip of the socket to the back of the ratchet needs to be less than 19cm ( 18cm is about right). I might be wrong but I think it is a 15mm socket. With your head to the front of the car you should be able to reach over the starter and feel the nut. Fit the socket and extension to the nut and then the ratchet to the extension. The starter just slides off. Hope this is of some help.

sierrafery · Feb 23, 2019

To bench test the starter you have to earth the body, connect 12V to the main lead terminal(which comes from the battery) and 12V to the spade on the solenoid then it should start, if you hear a clunk and doesnt turn give 12v to the motor's terminal(which is pointed in the pic i posted) and if it turns this way the problem is the solenoid but if it doesnt turn either the motor is the problem

Beau13 · Feb 23, 2019

Thanks guys I’ll have a go at getting it off and go from there
Cheers again.

Rushjob · Feb 23, 2019

Beau13 said:
Hi all, apologies for late reply I’ve just picked up a Freelander 2 for the missus. Now back to mine.
I need to be treated as a complete novice mechanic I’m afraid. I have put a lead to the main starter terminal but have also just checked the voltage and this terminal has 12v to it anyway so lead was pointless. There is a spade connector next to this terminal with the 12v which I just linked to the 12v terminal as this was my understanding from a comment above, it sparked and made a clunking sound (with no key in ignition) not sure if I was supposed to do this?? The starter is still in the car as it’s just in axle stands and my little arms couldn’t reach around to get the back but off yet? Shall I link the 12v and spade putting 12v to the spade terminal and then try starting the car or should it turn over without doing this? Thanks again for all the advice and apologies for being a bit stupid (I’m a plumber by trade but like to have a go at trying to sort some things myself....with a bit of help obviously )

That is how to test your solenoid and it appears from what you've put that the solenoid contacts are worn out - common problem. Starter needs to come out anyway to replace the solenoid contacts or swap the whole thing for the new one that's on the way then repair your original one and keep it as a spare or sell it on to recoup a bit of the cost of the new motor.

brian47 · Feb 23, 2019

Beau13 said:
Hi all, apologies for late reply I’ve just picked up a Freelander 2 for the missus.

Yeah, the Freelander 2 does turn over quite nicely, especially when hit in the side by a Kia peoplemover!

Beau13 · Feb 23, 2019

Cheers all. I eventually got my stubby little arms around the starter and got the back nut off....what an achievement that felt like!
I will put the new starter on as soon as it arrives and fingers crossed it is this that’s the problem. Also ordering up 2 new rear suspension air bags I’ll post and let you know if she fires into life.
Thanks all again

Landmark2 · Feb 26, 2019

http://www.discovery2.co.uk/Rear Air Springs.html
Hi Beau,
Here's a "How To" for the rear bags.
Regards,
Griff

Beau13 · Feb 26, 2019

Landmark2 said:
http://www.discovery2.co.uk/Rear Air Springs.html
Hi Beau,
Here's a "How To" for the rear bags.
Regards,
Griff

Hi Griff,
Thanks very much, I’ll read up before they arrive.
Starter motor arrived today so fitted it after work and she fires up perfect!
Thanks everyone for all the advice, much appreciated!

Disco 2 won’t turn over

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