Replaced the starter motor.
Regular 'Halfords' type places over here didn't have one. The local indie LR garage wanted $680 (£340) plus GST (VAT). Stealers could get 1 on a 4 week delivery ex UK, I didn't ask how much, but they did give me the name of an Auto Electrical outfit who they said repairs kit for them. So I gives them a call and they can get 1 to me in an hour for £279 inc GST
- done deal.
So I extracted the old starter, fitted the new one delivered by courier (courier cost a fiver) and Bob's your uncle, she starts again
I now have 2 dead starters sitting in the garage. The original one packed up and was replaced by a new one (a Remy) that didn't last very long. Forget exactly when it was fitted, but it had a Sept 2015 label on it - so 6 1/2 years at most. I must restore 1 of them (the original Denso probably) in readiness for the current one packing a sad.
Good on the Rover guys for making the starter nice and accessible in the L Series. Makes it easy to replace from the top.