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flanagaj

Active Member

• Aug 27, 2014

• #1

Hi,

I did a quick search of past posts, but wanted to post some history too in an attempt to try and understand the exact issue.

The Wife's Freelander has been suffering with intermittent starting problems. You turn the ignition key and sometimes you get nothing. Try again and it will start.

We called out a vehicle electrician, but when he came out everything was working fine (who would have guessed that one). So he wired in a lead which enables the Wife to start the vehicle by touching a lead onto the +ve terminal of the battery. This was working fine to get things going, but now we seem to be having a problem where when you touch the lead onto the battery you just get a single loud click, but then nothing else.

We did get it to start eventually, but each failure was a single clunk.

I don't want to replace the starter if it could well be something else. Any pointers welcomed.

Thanks

 

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digi

Active Member

• Aug 27, 2014

• #2

I had a similar problem a while back, i turned the key and nothing the dash lit up but didn't turn the engine over, tried to start it a few times nothing then leave it abit then it would turn over, i thought it was a battery problem took it off and recharged it a few times the problem persisted, i went and got a new battery the same problem.

I found the problem was the insulated crimp connector going on to the spade on the starter motor, when you waggled/move the connector it would start, i cut the old one off the wire and crimped a new connector on and it's turned over first time ever since, it fixed the problem.

You sure you just haven't got a loose or bad connector.

 

Last edited: Aug 27, 2014

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Tannaton

Active Member

• Aug 27, 2014

• #3

It is a common fault on the Denso starter motor that was fitted to TD4 engines (assuming that is what you have?). The contacts in the solenoid get eaten away in time until you get intermittent "clicks". This will get worse over time until such point where it wont work at all.

This is fairly easy to fix, remove the starter motor and fit a replacement contact set which are available on e-bay for £10-£20. Best get a set with a replacement armature (centre plunger). When re-fitting the starter don't forget to attach the earth strap.

Good luck...

 

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flanagaj

Active Member

• Aug 27, 2014

• #4

Thanks Chaps. The electrical engineer chap checked the connections on the starter motor when he came around, so I think we are good there.

It is a 2003 BMW engine TD4 so not totally sure whether it is a denso starter. If they were standard on that age and model then I will order one of those kits.

I will post back with the results. Fingers crossed that is all that is required.

 

teddywood1

Well-Known Member

• Aug 28, 2014

• #5

also there used to be a problem with the ignition switch this sounds as though this was the original fault with your wife's and then keeping the wire on too long has ruined the solenoid on the starter motor , my wife had the same problem as we were rushing to catch a ferry to Ireland some years age ,when we got there I cleaned the contacts on the ignition switch and 12 years later and it is still working ok , touching wood.

 

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flanagaj

Active Member

• Aug 28, 2014

• #6

teddywood1 said:

also there used to be a problem with the ignition switch this sounds as though this was the original fault with your wife's and then keeping the wire on too long has ruined the solenoid on the starter motor , my wife had the same problem as we were rushing to catch a ferry to Ireland some years age ,when we got there I cleaned the contacts on the ignition switch and 12 years later and it is still working ok , touching wood.

Click to expand...

Thanks. I reckon you are 100% correct here! The engineer put the wire in to help diagnose where the fault was. Given it would start using the wire from the starter to the battery it certainly indicates an ignition fault.

Is the ignition switch an easy part to replace or clean?

Thanks

 

LandyMan

Well-Known Member

• Aug 28, 2014

• #7

I had the same problem, it was the starter motor sticking. I got my friend to hit it with a hammer when I tried to start it and it work fine for ages after that, but I ended up replacing it (along with a few other bits at the same time)

 

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Tannaton

Active Member

• Aug 28, 2014

• #8

flanagaj said:

Thanks. I reckon you are 100% correct here! The engineer put the wire in to help diagnose where the fault was. Given it would start using the wire from the starter to the battery it certainly indicates an ignition fault.

Thanks

Click to expand...

The thing to look for is when you turn the key to start the engine - do you get a click from under the bonnet? If so then the solenoid is being energised (i.e. suggests the ignition switch is ok) but is not supplying power to the starter.

If there is no click then try the battery wire trick - if still no click then probably the solenoid otherwise probably the ignition switch.

All relatively straight forward to do.

 

teddywood1

Well-Known Member

• Aug 29, 2014

• #9

you can take the ignition switch apart but you must be care pull I just got a bit of sand paper and cleaned the contacts ,if you turn the key (with the wire plug pulled out ) you will see which contact it is ,or get a good second hand one.

 

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flanagaj

Active Member

• Aug 29, 2014

• #10

Well. Fingers crossed it was the solenoid contacts. They where well pitted and I replaced them with a kit from RepairkitsUK. What a great service, ordered yesterday and received the parts today. Opened the packet and was presented with a fantastic and detailed instruction leaflet with images on how to replace the contacts.

Job took about 1 hour, and the vehicle now starts first time. Fingers crossed it's all done an dusted.

Sipping a nice cold beer as I type feeling rather chuffed that all in I spent £13.50. I wonder what the bill would have been if I had taken it to the garage :-o

Thanks for all your posts and help!