I have had my 2008 Defender 110 off the road for about a month waiting for parts to arrive so I can start the huge job of replacing gaskets and seals to stem the flow of fluids from my engine, transmission and transfer box. Yesterday I got tired of seeing my beautiful Landy just sitting there looking sad and decided to pull out the starter, which is the actual reason the truck is sitting idle. I had assumed that the oil from the top half of the motor had flooded my starter and ruined it. But, upon further inspection, I find that the wire transferring power to the brushes is the more likely cause. The question is, why did that wire burn? I am going to take it to a shop and see if we can sort it out today.

I would appreciate it if anyone has any ideas about why this might have happened...

looks like continuous movement to me

You think it might have just worn out from moving around too much? Well I like that answer - hope you are right!

Doesn't look fried or anything but difficult to tell with just a photo

What a pain to get that starter out! They didn't make that an easy job!!!

Looks like corrosion to me, as the underlying cause. This could lead to high resistance and heat to burn the cable end. Does the cable smell burnt? or is it just corroded?

Wimblowdriver said:

Looks like corrosion to me, as the underlying cause. This could lead to high resistance and heat to burn the cable end. Does the cable smell burnt? or is it just corroded?

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I think it is actually burnt. I tested the solenoid and it works fine - but the motor itself failed. When I pulled it apart, it was full of corrosion and the brushes were gone. As a result, the commutator bar was badly worn. I was able to find a good used armature on island, but not a brush pack. The brush pack looks to have been re-built a few times - so I think it really is time for a new one.

I was hoping to get the starter back online without having to wait for parts from the U.K., but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. Time to get that parts order in!