Big Bad Jon said:

Hi Landyzoners. I have a cold start problem with my 1997 Defender 90 300TDi and thought that there's so much knowledge on this site someone may be able to give me some advice. Here's the problem. Over the last few days she's taken a little longer to fire up when cold (she normally fires up first time every time), feeling that she's cranking over a little slower I treated her to a brand new battery. I fitted the new battery when the engine was warm and then to check everything was ok I fired her up and she cranked over much faster and started instantly. Now, here's where things get weird, after starting and feeling pleased with the new battery I turned off the ignition and removed the key, only thing is she kept running, feeling a bit puzzled I put the key back in, turned on the ignition and turned it back off again, this time the engine stopped instantly. I then started and stopped the engine a few times and everything was fine. I thought it must just have been a weird gremlin and that everything was ok. This morning frost all over her I jumped in to go to work, ignition on, pre heat finished I spun her over and noted that the new battery was really doing well, only thing is she really struggled to start, eventually she did and I drove to work. Thinking about what was happening I decided that maybe there was a problem with the Glow Plugs and I'd take a look when I got home. I've got a multi meter and I'm getting about 10 volts over them during preheat for about 12 seconds then the power to them goes off so that seems good. I did a continuity check on each Glow Plug and they are all ok, although 3 of them were wet when I took them out, not sure why as she'd had a good run then cooled down before I removed them. So what gives? Could it be something to do with the under bonnet temperature sensor or perhaps the switch on the fuel pump? As I say when she's warmed up no problems at all starting and running. This Landy is used as a daily vehicle and well looked after, for a car that's 23 years old she's just passed an MOT with no advisorys so I'm really puzzled. Your thoughts would really be appreciated!

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Gmacz said:

Put a new set of glow plugs in, very cheap and see if this sorts problem.

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Offhandlandy said:

Have you considered the fuel shut off solenoid, might be sticking??

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Rougharse Racing said:

Sounds like there may be a problem developing with the stop-solenoid, it can't keep running if the stop-solenoid closes properly, won't start if it doesn't open.

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lynall said:

Stop solenoid, can be fun to get out, not as tight, just access difficult 24mm Iirc?
Wang a set of cheapies in there, oily in not unusual at all.

I had two 300 and found both of them were not the best starters like the previous 200s I was used to.
Best improvement I made was an additional battery earth lead and a second battery.

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