Dutchy7

Active Member
2004 freelander not starting. New starter, new fuel pump, fuses are good and battery is new. I’m leaning towards the expensive neutral safety switch but want to check with you all before I go making that expensive purchase. I’ve tried starting it in all gears. Nothing. It would start intermittently with the old battery and then after the starter was replaced it stopped even turning over. Any help would be appreciated.
 
More information is needed. We'll assume it a V6 unless told otherwise.
By saying it's not starting, do you mean it cranks over but doesn't start? Or is it not cranking over to begin with? Knowing this is vital, if any help is going to be useful. ;)
 
More information is needed. We'll assume it a V6 unless told otherwise.
By saying it's not starting, do you mean it cranks over but doesn't start? Or is it not cranking over to begin with? Knowing this is vital, if any help is going to be useful. ;)

V6 yes. It doesn’t crank with the new battery or starter. Before with the old battery it did. Then charged the battery because they thought it was dead then it started again. Then after that it didn’t that’s when they bought the new battery. But as of right now with all the new stuff it’s not cranking over.
 
If it did crank with the old starter and doesn't with the new one, then either the electrical connections aren't secure, or the starter is faulty. This is basic stuff and any reasonably competent person should be able to work it out. If a mechanic can't figure out what's wrong, then find another one who knows how 99% of cars on the road, starter system works. :confused:
 
I would check its not something coincidental - eg immobilised or the starter relay.

For example, I don't know if this should/should not be done - can you put a live 12V feed onto the solenoid to see if it turns over? I don't know if that's safe to do and I wouldn't stand in front of the truck and ensure there's room front and back in case its actually in a gear (which would also explain why it won't start).
 
If it did crank with the old starter and doesn't with the new one, then either the electrical connections aren't secure, or the starter is faulty. This is basic stuff and any reasonably competent person should be able to work it out. If a mechanic can't figure out what's wrong, then find another one who knows how 99% of cars on the road, starter system works. :confused:

Just going off information I was given. I yet have been able to get into it. Which I will but I was also seeing quite a few saying that it maybe the neutral safety switch. Could this be that and how would I check to see if it’s a bad switch?
 
The starter was check and it was bad. But the battery was changed first when it stopped working. The old starter was in there. Now I’m thinking relays blew?
 
The starter solenoid contactors are know to fail, which incidentally are easy and cheap to replace, in the UK anyway.
When the contactors begin to fail, then the starting gets random, sometimes starting, sometimes not. The starter solenoid energizer connection can also corrode, which can lead to random starting.
I suspect your starter had failing solenoid contactors, which was giving you the problem.
It's a shame you had to change the whole starter, for a $15 solenoid contactor set, but if you don't know they exist, fitting them isn't even an option.

If the replacement starter has solved the problem, then that's the job done. The starter contactors are the weak part in the system, so nothing else should fail. I've never heard of the gear position sensor failing (wiring can though), but if the dash LCD is displaying N or P, then it's nothing to do with the gear position sensor anyway.
 
The starter solenoid contactors are know to fail, which incidentally are easy and cheap to replace, in the UK anyway.
When the contactors begin to fail, then the starting gets random, sometimes starting, sometimes not. The starter solenoid energizer connection can also corrode, which can lead to random starting.
I suspect your starter had failing solenoid contactors, which was giving you the problem.
It's a shame you had to change the whole starter, for a $15 solenoid contactor set, but if you don't know they exist, fitting them isn't even an option.

If the replacement starter has solved the problem, then that's the job done. The starter contactors are the weak part in the system, so nothing else should fail. I've never heard of the gear position sensor failing (wiring can though), but if the dash LCD is displaying N or P, then it's nothing to do with the gear position sensor anyway.

That is good to know. Thank you. Now with the new starter and new battery nothing turns over. So you all suggested to recheck everything and ensure it is tightened and placed properly then move to the fuses and relays? The help is very much appreciated.
 

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