Faulty Starter

Hi guys,

I have a disco 2 TD5.

I've had a problem with my starter for a few months now; turn the key and get a click, after a few it starts as normal. I decided to replace the contacts, which (after a few frustrating hours trying to get the starter off) I did successfully. I was a little deflated to find that it made no difference whatsoever.

I scratched my head and just decided I would replace the entire thing.

However I never got around to it.

Now it's got much worse. Sometimes it clicks forever, and sometimes it doesn't click at all!

Strange thing is , when I have left it for an hour and came back, it started fine.

I spent 2 hours in a service station yesterday after refueling. Not even a click from the ignition so trawled forums for answers on my phone.. to no avail.

In the end I had a brainwave and thought about how it had always started after coming back after an hour or so, and realised that I would always have locked the car on those occasions. So I locked it, waited a few minutes, and then unlocked.. turned the ignition, it clicks, a few attempts - It STARTS. Glad to be on my way home.

My question is does this sound like it's a starter motor problem?

The fact that locking and unlocking the car seems to have an effect on getting it going suggests that it might be electrical, no?

Is there an earth I should check? Could it be the ECU?

Thanks, and Merry Christmas.

Robb

did you replace plunger too

Hi,

No I didn't change the plunger..

Could it be related?

as long as it's a loud click you hear from the starter solenoid it means it gets feed but the circuit doesnt close...which could be due to the plunger too as jamesmartin suggested or the motor has an interruption in the winding or worn carbon brushes...you should have tested the starter while it was on the bench to ease your job

IMO that locking/unlocking thing is just a coincidence as long as the red LED on the dash is not on when you turn ignition

if it's not a loud click but a silent one swap relays R2(starter) with R3(headlamp wash) in the engine bay fusebox for test, check that thin plug with two brown wires in the front of the fusebox to make good contact, especially the brown/red one

Vagabondrobb said:

Hi,

No I didn't change the plunger..

Could it be related?

Click to expand...

you need contacts and plunger to fix solenoid issues,not just contacts,luckily you dont need to remove starter to change it

Thanks guys. Ok. I think there is a distinction to be made.. When I do hear clicking, it will start usually after a few turns.

However what stranded me was when I heard no clicks at all. This still happens on occasion, but locking and unlocking brings the click (and hence an eventual start) back.

So I think maybe replacing plunger as suggested might fix the poor starting, but am convinced there is something else going on electrically.

I now have traction control and abs lights on constantly..

Drives perfect though..

did you try that relay swap thing? , and explain this statement

Vagabondrobb said:

When I do hear clicking, it will start usually after a few turns

Click to expand...

do you mean you hear the click and the engine turns or after a few turns of the key in the ignition?

On pre-engaged starters it is usually cr*p slopping the plunger in the solenoid travelling its full distance and allowing the motor to start up, usually because the contacts aren't making.

Easiest check is to wash the plunger and housing in petrol and allow to dry properly, don't lubricate, reassemble and try.

If the points are burnt then that's half of the trouble.

For what a motor costs, I'd just get an exchange unit, or pick up a used spare from the breakers.

These little Denso motors are quite twee for the power they put out, but like everything else they wear with time. The V8 motor is not geared but is pre-engaged.

Peter

sierrafery said:

did you try that relay swap thing? , and explain this statement

do you mean you hear the click and the engine turns or after a few turns of the key in the ignition?

Click to expand...

Yes, sorry. I mean turns of key. Engine fires up perfectly when starter connects.

I didn't try swapping relays, as when getting the silent click, problem is solved by lock and unlock procedure.. But I will give this a go tomorrow.

Thanks Peter. I will take the starter out this weekend and give the plunger a good clean. I did replace the contacts a few weeks back but made no difference. if the problem persists I may just take your advice on getting a replacement.