ser3 wont start

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Fatrover

Fatrover

Well-Known Member
Posts
914
Location
Argyll, Scotland
Greetings Earthlings....Me old '75 ser 3 petrol wont start. It should cos its had a new starter motor last year, a new battery and a new solenoid ( a few days ago),, when i turn the key I can hear a click so i think the solenoids ok. Ive had a look at the engine earth ( from the back of the starter motor to the chassis) an it looks a bit manky although is on tight..could it not be conducting cos its all greasy and oily?

Am open to suggestions, hoping its not the starter motor though...:confused:
 
Thanx for that, Ive had a look at thr new starter and it doesnt have a bit on the end to turn! Just 2 terminals.... maybe its the wrong model although it fitted on OK....:)
 
No you need to put the spanner on the crankshaft pully and try to turn it, this is located at the front of the engin (near the radiator) right at the bottom. It has the altinator belt raped arround it!
 
also check the connections from the battery esp the earth to the chassis.
you can use just the black lead off your jump leads to bypass the earth system and connect direct from the battery to the starter case.
doing this will tell if the earth system is at fault or no.

corse the battery could be shagged out!
 
Thanx all, good info from you all... the strange thing is, until recently it was startin great, then just before it died, i tried to start it an it was turnin over really really slow then just stopped. Now when i turn the key, it just clicks. doesnt turn over at all. Ive just tried it with a newly charged battery and its just the same... mysteries!!.. ive had a look at the battery earth and as far as i can see its tight.. would it need to be loose/hanging off to cause a problem then ?
 
No it could cause a probloem if it was dirty, corroded or slack.

Have you cheaked both the earth from the batt to the chassis and the earth from the chassis to the engine.
 
Hmmm..the earth from the back of the starter to the chassis is a bit greasy and manky esp where it joins the chassis.. would that cause it not to start at all then? I'll take it to bits tomorrow and clean it up....:)
 
my s3 petrol only had one wire going to the starter this was a live not an earth, do you mean that there is a earth going to one of the bolts on the starter.
 
There is indeed..its on one of the bolts at the front...it goes from there to the chassis. Its been working great and starting really quickly until recently...
 
On the bulkhead, engine side approx in the middle is the starter solenoid. Its a crappy Lucas component. it has threaded copper terminals on it overwhich are the cable lugs which take cable to starter motor.

On my S3, the nuts securing the lugs has rotted after 26 years as they were made of mild steel. I replaced them with new brass nuts and cleaned the copper terminals.

Starting improved dramatically.

A similar problem can exist where the earth lead attaches to the chassis.
 
Thanx for that, I replaced it last week, just in case!

Ive taken the starter motor off this morning ( in about 3 fet of snow) and whacked a current through....its totally dead!

Typically, its really heavy snow where we live on the worc/wark border so am now off to get another one!

Thanx to everyone for suggestions etc, i'll plug the new one in and.. fingers crossed....:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
starter motor questions
Replies
17
Views
1K
McBoon
McBoon
O
Electrical - starting fault/issue (seeking help/advice) - 1996 Defender 110 300TDI
2
Replies
27
Views
637
tottot
tottot
ibizalandy
1986 110 ex military 2.5 n/a won't start.
Replies
2
Views
775
ibizalandy
ibizalandy
Exorcism
Minerva
Replies
13
Views
2K
Exorcism
Exorcism
A
Freelander 1 Immobilizer. Issue. Run away or worth trying
Replies
0
Views
444
Alex1000
A
Back
Top