Trun key - click. Done all the obvious stuff.

Hello,

I have a 1.8 petrol Freelander, 53 plate with a starting problem.

When I turn the key I get the repeated click ?of the starter solenoid. I can leave it clicking for 20 secs and it won't start.

Here's what I've done:

Checked battery - fine. Lights and wipers work fine; have tried new battery and jump starting. No joy.

Walloped starter motor with summat heavy. Ditto solenoid. No joy.

I've had the starter motor out and solenoid off - cleaned contacts, etc.

I've applied battery directly to starter motor casing (-ve) and and the braided cable between solenoid and starter. Starter motor turns nicely.

I've then refitted the starter motor.

Turn key - still f***ing click click click.

I've put her in 5th, handrake off and rolled her a foot or so. No joy.

She roll starts and yesterday I manged to jump start her. After 10 mins of idling, she started first time on the key. But today, she wouldn't start at all.

Can anyone suggest anything else to try or should I get a new starter motor with solenoid?

Thanks

Robin

I would suggest that you have a bad 'Earth' somewhere. Remember 95%+ of all electric problems are due to dodgy connections!!!

OldManDisco

Thanks - how do I go about checking for bad earth? Any particular order?

All the other electrics work fine apparently.

faulty connector on the solenoid, faulty ign. switch or the solenoid needs changing

That was what I was thinking. But ignition switch must be ok as solenoid is "firing" and so I guess the connection is fine (but I've cleaned and reseated it anyway).

Is it possible to but the solenoid separately to the starter motor? There's no part number on the solenoid - just on the Denso starter motor.

Thanks,

Robin

this happens to me regularly now, i just spray WD40 on everything electrical and it sorts the problem out.

Ok - so I went and got a new starter motor and solenoid.

Which has made no difference.

How do I go about hunting down a possible bad earth?

I seem to have got the point where I am clear that the solenoid fires ok, but starter motor is not turning.

Any help will be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Robin

How exactly have you checked the battery...?












Seeing as though BoB's not about, I'll apply his bit of advice for you - BURN IT!

I'm using a new and recently charged battery - which operates starter and solenoid OK when out of the car and directly connected.

I've got a meter - can you advise what the voltages to check for at various points in the circuit?

Many thanks

And all the other electrics seem fine - wipers and lights operate normally.

When I turn the key and get the clicking sound, the dash lights go out with each click.

Have you tried the jump leads straight to the starter motor when it's attached to the car?

Yes - and the starter motor turns freely.

It's a bit difficult to connect across to the spade connector for the ignition switch feed, so I haven't managed that.

I'm wondering if it is the ignition switch circuit - I'll go an put the meter across that and see what voltage I get.

OK - so the voltages are:

battery: 12.6v

main terminal on starter motor: 12.5v

ignition circuit (disconnected from solenoid): 12.5v

ignition circuit (connected to solenoid): 0 to 1v

braided cable between solenoid and starter: 0 to 1v


Grrrr!

So why does the voltage drop when the ignition circuit is connected to the solenoid?

Both the new and old starters and solenoids fire ok and energise the starter motor outside of the car, so I don't think it is a solenoid issue?

because the battery is not delivering enough cranking amps, or somewhere you have a very dirty connection or a bad earth.

Hi Robin,
Post 10 - And all the other electrics seem fine - wipers and lights operate normally.
When I turn the key and get the clicking sound, the dash lights go out with each click.
This shows that battery volts disappear when the starter is connected to the battery;
Could be a) duff battery or b) duff wiring to battery.
1. Check the volts accross battery when starter is operated. (10 - 12V)
2. Check volts between negative terminal of battery and starter motor body/engine metalwork when the starter is operated (< than 1.0V)
3. Check voltage between positive battery terminal and metal braiding on starter when starter is operated (< 1.0V)
If 1. is too low then try another battery.
If 2. is too high then you have a problem between the battery negative and the engine/chassis - earth strap or battery wire (the big one) or a corroded battery clamp?
If 3. is too high you have a problem between the battery terminal and the starter connection - corroded battery terminal, damaged wire (the thick one) or bad crimp connections to solenoid or solenoid itself (unlikely as you have changed it?).
Try checking these voltages and then post back to let us know what you find.