i bought a td5 disco last week. ocassionally it clicks when i start it but after a couple of attempts its fine. today though it just won't start no matter how many times i try. the fuel tank (pump) is making a loud whirring sound. it used to stop after 10 seconds ( similar time as the glow plug light tunrs off) now it is constantly making that noise.
the fuel filter is also very damp. could the two problems not be related, just a coincedence?

my thoughts on the pump is the filter is letting air in so the pump can't pressurise?

but the starter motor i have no idea. when i turned it over, the radio used to turn off. i thought that was the norm but could the starter have poor earth?

Sounds like connectivity probs, are the terminals all tight and clean... Or a shafted battery to me. As for the wet pump, unlikely to be connected to teh original problem, that definately sounds like crap electrics somewhere. If the solenoid is clicking, it means power has reached that far, just not enough to acctuate the starter!

it could be the brushes in the starter! before taking anything apart try giving the starter a clout with a hammer but not so hard that you smash it! if the starter is clicking that means that the starter is stuck,worn or the main feed from the battery to starter is either a bad connection or broke which will also indicate the worn brushes.