Hi, I just bought my 2005 Freelander SE about 2 months ago and it was PRISTINE and checked out by two different Mechanics and it was fine BUT recently I have been having a problem with it starting, Here is the problem as follows: I will put the keys in then turn them as usual the lights will light up and not a sound wont turnover or anything to make it sound or appear it is trying to start then 2-4 tries later it will start up. sometimes between that 2-4 times it will try to startup and make the sound but it wont start then sometimes it does. I have the standard Freelander SE 2.5 V6 petrol Engine in it and only 57k miles does ANYONE AT ALL KNOW THE SOLUTION or anything that will help?!?!? If u need more details on it and next time it does it I will try to record a video on it for anyone who needs it P.S One time when it happened I was at a Mechanics house and I immediately went up and he came down and it started up perfectly for him so I don't know what to think?

bump

Hippo said:

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yup - bump start it .

That sounds very like worn contacts within the starter motor solenoid - giving intermittent power to the motor - sometimes works, sometimes not. Before condemning the motor, check the electrical connections to it are clean and secure

Sounds more like contacts on the ignition switch. Many reports of this, do a search. If it were starter solenoid contacts you would still hear the click of them coming together.
Also check the Lucar connector on the starter solenoid.

Had more or less this on my 2003 FL. 2.5 V6. No start and F4 warning on gear indicator on instrument panel. Normally this means a damaged 'box...

Took out, tested & refitted (same) starter motor 3x before seeing the earth/minus/black cable from the battery to the engine block was loose and damaged.

3 euro for a new collet and it is fine ever since. (Imagine a garage... "oo new starter motor required... or gearbox - because of F4 message...")

I have heard that the starter solenoid contact does wear on the 2.5 v6 engines and a repair kit is 12 pounds. Apparently, the starter motor itself is very reliable (nippondenso).

For the DIY people : removing starter motor takes about 20 minutes. Move the cooling hoses out of the way, remove battery AND battery tray. Then a 13mm socket on the 3 retaining bolts.. after it becomes loose, you might think it won't come out past the angle-iron reinforcement of the suspension strut : just gently wiggle it... it will get past...

Once out, open the back casing of the solenoid (3x 10mm bolts) and check the rubber gasket for wear. If there is corrosion (aluminium oxide) evident, you may have a sticky (ie: rusty) solenoid plunger. Check the 2 copper contacts for evidence of excessive wear..
Clean them.
If you did see corrosion; clean and apply vaseline to the plunger body. Not too much or it will end up everywhere in the solenoid housing.


I did the above before realising that the problem was a departed battery cable-terminal, but it was 'no harm' as there was rust inside the solenoid housing.


If you have starter problems, it is worth whipping out the starter to test it. In my case, it became obvious that the starter was fine, but not when built back in (oh joy).

So I went all geeky and measured 12 Ohm resistance between the '- 'terminal of the battery and the engine block with a multimeter. 12 Ohm is a lot when it should be practically 0.... Having seen this, the rest was easy. (New collet/clamp).


Hope the helps someone...
Never give up... your Landy won't anyway.

I had this problem on my 1.8 recently, turned out to be dirty contacts where the signal wire plugs onto the starter motor. Dead eay to fix just pull the plug off and give it all a rub with a wire toohbrush if you can.

If that doesn't work then move onto more expensive solutions.

Welcome to Freelander ownership .

Same prob on my 1.8, changed starter solenoid with a kit supplied off ebay, also took apart ignition switch, cleaned contacts, sprayed with electrical cleaner, refitted and hey presto no probs since, that was 6 months ago. About a £20 fix in total for solenoid kit and contact cleaner............simples

my wife also had this turned out to be contacts on the ingnition switch a bit of sand paper on them cured it you need to remove it and then turn it like you would when starting you will see the contact that neds cleaning