James2

Member
Hi all,

We were out in our defender 300tdi today and obviously went through quite a lot of standing water (but nothing of any real depth). When we got to the supermarket, I said I would go in as it was raining and my wife said she would restart the engine to keep warm. However, the engine wouldn't start, despite have only just turned off and done a 20 mile journey. We left it the 20mins that I was in the shop, but still it wouldn't start. We called the Green Flag, but whilst we were waiting, I ran through and checked a few things, based on info on the internet. I am a complete novice, but can follow instructions. To me it seemed like an issue with the immobiliser, so I checked that power was getting through to the fuel cut off solenoid and it was. I also did the click test to ensure the solenoid was working, which it seemed to be. I then went through the fuses, but all seemed well. We were low(ish) on fuel, so I popped the spare can in the tank to make sure all was well. Nothing seemed damp under the bonnet.

During the time we were waiting we occasionally checked it wouldn't start, including only 5 mins before the repair man arrived. I explained what I had done so far and he told me that really that is all he would do, but that he would have a look. Of course, the inevitable happened and he didn't even touch the vehicle, when it started first time on the button.

Whilst obviously I am pleased that we are now home in front of the fire, I am a little concerned that we don't know why it wouldn't start and wondered if there were any checks or tests that I can do to try and find the problem in the hope of stopping it happening again (or at the very least knowing what to do if it does!).

Many thanks in advance for your help.

James
 
Have you ever got it that low (or lower) on fuel before now? Possible that you'd run out and that it took a while to crank up to the engine.
 
I assume it cranked over ok when it wouldn't start? If so and the solenoid was clicking it does sound like low fuel is a possibility
 
That's interesting, never got that low before I must admit. The fuel gauge must be a bit out. Don't you think it's strange that we ran out just as we got to the shops though and turned the engine off?
 
That's interesting, never got that low before I must admit. The fuel gauge must be a bit out. Don't you think it's strange that we ran out just as we got to the shops though and turned the engine off?
You might have been running on the fuel in the filter bowl or when you stopped the engine. air might have got into the fuel lines because the fuel pickup is exposed and the fuel drained back into the tank?
 
It's not a lack of fuel... :(

We only drove 5 miles home last night, having put in a gallon of fuel. I went out this morning and it wouldn't start again, same thing - cranking but not firing up. I tried it a couple of times, then popped the bonnet and did the solenoid test - putting the thin black lead on and off and listening for the clicking - it seemed fine. Got back in and tried the engine again and it started first time. I took it for a short drive and then when I got back I turned it off and it started fine.

Do the solenoids just fail or can they become intermittent first? Anything else it could be?

Thanks for all your help.

James
 
Or even worse, you might not find any rust!
That will really play with your head, why have I not got any rust???
 
Sounds like there might be an intermittent fault. Sometimes if you waggle the bits of the wiring loom you can get at it can be made to appear and reappear, allowing you to narrow down its location.
 
I think I would fit a new fuel cut off solenoid in the fuel pump, the other possible fault is the battery is not giving enough cranking amps, so fuel solenoid does not get enough power to activate it.
 
Hi all,

Thanks for your replies, hopefully it will start ok this morning, but I will also think about replacing the solenoid.

James
 

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