Member Since: 26 Nov 2016
Location: Ireland
Posts: 4
LR3 won't start
Hi everyone.
This is my first post, so please be gentle!
I own a 2005 LR3 which won't start. It was left for a few days during the very cold weather and last night it wouldn't start. It's definitely not a battery issue. That was the first thing I looked at, and several attempts to jump start it failed, resulting in nothing but excess fumes.
I'm not familiar with terminology, but it does make the normal 'coughing' sound when I turn the key. It's almost like there's no fuel in the tank, but this is not the case either.
I apologise in advance if the vast majority of you are looking at your screens in disgust because this is such a simple problem, and new guy doesn't even know about [simple thing]. If you could see your way clear to giving me a few things to check or try, I would be most appreciative. The last thing I want to do is have to get it lifted to a dealer and pay through the nose for something I could have resolved myself.
Again, I am grateful for any replies, assistance or advice.
Mark.
26th Nov 2016 10:27 am
L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2080
Do I understand it is cranking over on the starter but doesn't fire and you are getting excess white fumes out of the exhaust ?
26th Nov 2016 10:47 am
MarkFromIreland
Member Since: 26 Nov 2016
Location: Ireland
Posts: 4
That's about right. I couldn't see if the fumes were white because it was dark, but the more I tried to start it, the more fumes came out the exhaust, which just made sense to me.
Thanks for your reply.
Mark.
26th Nov 2016 10:51 am
Slobbox
Member Since: 10 Jul 2015
Location: Ribble Valley
Posts: 307
This happened to me lat year narrowed it down to glow plugs.Its probably worth getting them checked they can be problematic to change though from what I can tell. I Fit a FBH controller now starts every time I remember to turn it on.Stephen
Jag XF 3.0l Premium Luxury
2006 SE, De-Tangoed, EGR Blanked
26th Nov 2016 11:17 am
MarkFromIreland
Member Since: 26 Nov 2016
Location: Ireland
Posts: 4
When you say you narrowed it down to the glow plugs, can you tell me a little bit more please? Like what you did to resolve the problem? Take them out? Clean them? Repair them? Replace them?
If anyone else has any ideas, please feel free to join in!
Thanks.
Mark.
26th Nov 2016 3:11 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
Mark, a Diesel engine fires by compressing vaporised diesel, it doesn't use a spark plug. However, to aid cold starting, your engine has glow plugs which pre-heat the cylinders allowing a cold engine to fire up.
If your glow plugs are kaput, you usually get lots of cranking + white smoke but a refusal to fire up.
There's nothing to clean up, glow plugs either work or they don't, you cannot service them.
Unfortunately, the Discovery glow plugs are well renown to seize up and snap off when trying to be removed so replacement isnt always simple or straight forward, or cheap.
Many owners who have dodgy glow plugs fit a FBH modding kit which allows the fuel burning heater to run as a park heater and this will pre-warm the engine enough for it to successfully fire up.
Search the forum, the answers on all options are here.
Best advice, try double warming the glow plugs in case you have a few that are working. This might give you enough warmth to fire up, rough at initial start but it will improve. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
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26th Nov 2016 4:28 pm
RutlandBoy
Member Since: 23 Oct 2016
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
an excellent glowplug diagnosis post available via this post:-
Member Since: 18 Aug 2013
Location: Aberdeenish
Posts: 1691
I Would try some 'diesel start' to see if it will actually run.
Squirt some into the air intake while cranking and it should fire up and keep running if there is no real fuel problem.
(This will probably start a debate - use or don't use this stuff.)Stew,
2010 D4 gone but I really loved it
Went back to Merc - C350 AMG
26th Nov 2016 5:53 pm
Slobbox
Member Since: 10 Jul 2015
Location: Ribble Valley
Posts: 307
On mine if the temp went to -2 or below it just refused to start lots of white smoke turning over as if there was no tomorrow. Local indy was convinced it was the Glowplugs the cheapest option was fitting a FBH controller.
I Did use easy start meanwhile thoughStephen
Jag XF 3.0l Premium Luxury
2006 SE, De-Tangoed, EGR Blanked
26th Nov 2016 6:43 pm
MarkFromIreland
Member Since: 26 Nov 2016
Location: Ireland
Posts: 4
I appreciate all those replies, folks.
I had a look at that link posted by RutlandBoy, and point number 5 seemed to do the trick. All I did was leave the key in the ignition for 30 seconds for the glow plugs to heat up, and it started without so much as a whimper.
Truly grateful to everyone who took the time to type out your suggestions. You guys have, without a doubt, saved me money today.
Thanking you muchly.
Mark.
26th Nov 2016 11:09 pm
RutlandBoy
Member Since: 23 Oct 2016
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
Thanks should rightly go to Robbie's excellent diagnostic write up for glowplugs !
26th Nov 2016 11:38 pm
yaxman
Member Since: 02 Jan 2015
Location: pontyclun
Posts: 433
Cam shaft sensor?
27th Nov 2016 12:26 am
caverD3
Member Since: 03 Jul 2006
Location: Oberon, NSW
Posts: 6922
We used this:
the second one. :whistle:
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27th Nov 2016 2:38 am
4TRAX
Member Since: 14 Jan 2010
Location: Baughurst
Posts: 5
Discovery 3 Cold Start problem - my temporary solution
I have had the cold start problem for a few winters. I decided to make a short video documenting the problem and where I believe the fault lies, at least in my vehicle. Looks to be the engine coolant temp sensor - not sure if replacing it will solve the problem, so any suggestions from members of DISCO3 would be appreciated
29th Dec 2016 2:57 pm
Gazellio
Member Since: 09 Jan 2011
Location: Chilterns
Posts: 4130
I had this too and clouds of white vapour from the exhaust.
In my experience its normally the battery. It may be good enough to crank the engine but if its not able to take 14.6v at a charge (charge or alternator) then it not going to start a D3 with dodgy glowplugs in minus temperatures. (Mine was only taking 14.1)
I just changed my battery for a new Excide 900 crank and it now fires up first turn in -4 and lower regardless of glowplugs being shot.
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