Land Rover Series 3 completely dead with charged battery.

Rhydz · Apr 9, 2020

I’m currently trying to get my Series 3 going.

not started for two years since my dad tried.

battery is fully charged but no noise or lights turn on with key is turned. ( only the smooth clicking of the key turning)

Not sure whether it’s a fuse issue
Or a
Earth issue
Or a
Maybe ( but I doubt )an issue with the starter motor

vehicle was driving two years ago.

slightly clueless on how to get it starting again.

would be thankful if some help.

wireman · Apr 9, 2020

Check the terminals on the battery are clean, check the connection are tight and on the right way round. after that check the earth cable from battery to the chassis/engine. then check the wire going to the starter solenoid. All connections need to be clean and tight.

Rhydz · Apr 9, 2020

wireman said:
Check the terminals on the battery are clean, check the connection are tight and on the right way round. after that check the earth cable from battery to the chassis/engine. then check the wire going to the starter solenoid. All connections need to be clean and tight.

Okay thanks will do tonight when I get home !

wireman said:
Check the terminals on the battery are clean, check the connection are tight and on the right way round. after that check the earth cable from battery to the chassis/engine. then check the wire going to the starter solenoid. All connections need to be clean and tight.

All my wiring from the battery to the earths seem to be tightly fitted and attached from the battery and battery casing to the engine and chassis.
I put new connectors on the battery and polished them off with wire wool.
I can’t find the solenoid switch ? Should it be near the starter motor ?

Rhydz · Apr 9, 2020

Rhydz said:
Okay thanks will do tonight when I get home !

All my wiring from the battery to the earths seem to be tightly fitted and attached from the battery and battery casing to the engine and chassis.
I put new connectors on the battery and polished them off with wire wool.
I can’t find the solenoid switch ? Should it be near the starter motor ?

wireman · Apr 9, 2020

The solenoid on a petrol starter is remote from the motor itself, it should be on the bulkhead. It looks like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rov...+Rover&hash=item33e44bb16c:g:jYMAAOSwP3Jb0wjb
If you have a diesel its on the side of the starter motor.
As well as the big wire from the battery on the solenoid there should be a small wire, white with a red trace that comes from the ignition switch.

wireman · Apr 9, 2020

If all your connections are good, then check the back of the ignition switch. Check all wires are connected and they are on the right terminal.

kermit_rr · Apr 9, 2020

Have you double checked the battery? Put a headlight bulb across the terminals and see if it lights up nice and bright. Then try again with the ignition on

wireman · Apr 9, 2020

Rhydz said:
Not sure whether it’s a fuse issue

I very much doubt it, there's only 4 fuses on a Series 3 Land Rover and 1 of them is a spare!

steve2286w · Apr 9, 2020

Try a jump lead from positive on battery to the solenoid that should turn starter with it in neutral of course bypassing ignition switch

steve2286w · Apr 9, 2020

Do any of the other elect bits work , horn , wipers , washers

steve2286w · Apr 9, 2020

Solenoid is the round bit on side of starter , the spade terminal is for the red white wire which should have 12v with key fully turned

dag019 · Apr 10, 2020

I would do as @steve2286w recommends and check the starter and solenoid are working. Use a jump lead from the battery to the solenoid to bypass the ignitions and if that doesnt work use a jump lead direct from the battery tothe satrter to check the starter is working.

If you are not getting any dash lights when you turn the key I would suggest that possibly the ignition switch is faulty or incorrectly/damaged wiring to it. even if the starter does not turn the dash lights should still illuminate as they are on separate circuits. do the headlights work? they do not need any ignition so would give you a little bit of an idea that the battery is actually doing something and connected to the vehicle properly

Rhydz · Apr 10, 2020

steve2286w said:
Try a jump lead from positive on battery to the solenoid that should turn starter with it in neutral of course bypassing ignition switch

Okay I will do now , thanks , I’ll let you know how it goes.

Rhydz · Apr 10, 2020

steve2286w said:
Do any of the other elect bits work , horn , wipers , washers
View attachment 205114

No nothing at the moment , but battery is charged.

Rhydz · Apr 10, 2020

dag019 said:
I would do as @steve2286w recommends and check the starter and solenoid are working. Use a jump lead from the battery to the solenoid to bypass the ignitions and if that doesnt work use a jump lead direct from the battery tothe satrter to check the starter is working.

If you are not getting any dash lights when you turn the key I would suggest that possibly the ignition switch is faulty or incorrectly/damaged wiring to it. even if the starter does not turn the dash lights should still illuminate as they are on separate circuits. do the headlights work? they do not need any ignition so would give you a little bit of an idea that the battery is actually doing something and connected to the vehicle properly

I think the battery might not be connected properly , I’m going to look at the earth again , thanks to everyone !! I’ll get back to you all when I try all this. Sorry if I’ve missed any responses. Didn’t expect to get so much help !

steve2286w · Apr 10, 2020

You can also run a flying small lead from the spade terminal on solenoid to positive on battery
And just touch the battery pos for a few seconds this should energise the solenoid and turn it over

Rhydz · Apr 10, 2020

steve2286w said:
View attachment 205115

Solenoid is the round bit on side of starter , the spade terminal is for the red white wire which should have 12v with key fully turned

I’ve cleaned all its connections and wires. Going to ensure battery is earth properly then look to connect solenoid to battery, would this burn out the solenoid ? Or can it take 750 amp ?

steve2286w · Apr 10, 2020

There may be an earth near the starter to body which should be clean
If are hard connecting to solenoid need to make sure it’s correct side of solenoid otherwise the starter will turn all the time
On my pic above you can see the loose lead from starter , that connects to terminal near starter body , with batt lead to other side
A thin flying live lead can be connected betwed batt pos to the solenoid spade , and just touch it on the batt pos , this should turn over the engine

steve2286w · Apr 10, 2020

The solenoid only engages when the red/white wire is energised with 12v when key turned fully Here’s a pic of mine not sure if it helps

steve2286w · Apr 10, 2020

http://www.retroanaconda.com/landrover/2010/03/series-iii-workshop-manual/

This is the GreenBible and a must have much better than Haynes , other good stuff on same site too

Land Rover Series 3 completely dead with charged battery.

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