Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
Struggling to start
No heres a funny one if anyone's got any ideas other than "go to dealer"
Over the last few months I've notice mine turning over slower than I can recall when starting up. No bongy bongs or anything that would indicate battery voltage was dropping.
Despite this no issues until I went on my grand tour last week from Manchester, Gloucestershire, London.
I stopped at Strensham Services for breakfast and came out to find when that when I attempted to start my D3 after 15 minute stop, it really really struggled to turn over before firing up. Car started Ok'ish in Gloucester later in the day, but had to step at Heston Services on the M4 - again a real struggle to start after 10 minute stop. Two days later (car paked for 48 hours) leaving Central London, again was a struggle and again after another fuel stop at Warwick Services on M40 struggling again. Has been OK'ish all weekend since.
I don't think its the battery, but may be something related to starter motor when everythings warm - any thoughts?Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
If you find out what this is I'd be interested to know. Mine doesn't do it this badly, but seemingly at random some days it will turn over really well, others it seems to struggle a little bit.
22nd Jul 2008 6:32 am
Neil Pettersen
Member Since: 23 Nov 2007
Location: Cutting the grass
Posts: 1254
One of the cells maybe failing .
This causes a current drop on heavy drain,but not a voltage drop on running state.
This is a warranty claim, if so.
I assume your battery is the same age as the vehicle ?
22nd Jul 2008 7:53 am
neophyteguy
Member Since: 30 Jan 2008
Location: South Melbourne
Posts: 116
Funny, mine was a bit sluggish this morning. Just seemed like when I turned the key over that it didnt turn over right away. More like it was priming itself and then turned over slowly.............I've started it a couple of times since then with no problems though.Picked up my new MY08 Stornaway TDV6 SE late Feb. FULLY STOKED! Thanks in advance for all the advice/tips you guys have shared on here!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Steve, my last D3 did that for a while before the starter motor died, so don't be too surprised if you turn the key one morning and nothing happensThe End
22nd Jul 2008 8:48 am
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
Has a similar problem in my defender 12 months ago and its started soing it again now. As slimer said it could be the starter motor. I found the starter turned over really slowly but the problem was intermittant. Eventually all the starter motor would do was "click".
Turned out the motor itself was absolutly fine but the solenoid was knackered due to all the wading and mud. Not sure it you can buy the solenoid seperate amd save the cost of an entire starter motor.
your problem could be something totally different thoughDuncan
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22nd Jul 2008 8:59 am
xtc
Member Since: 27 Mar 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1072
Had exactly that 2 months ago, got slower and slower and eventually stopped.. LRA to the rescue! Was the starter motor and it was replaced under w'tee. Water ingress apparently.... No argument about changing though. I'd exaggerate the symptoms to your dealer, say it's not turned over at all a few times and get it replaced while under w'tee. They have a bit of a reputation of failing on vehicles that are used 'properly' My avitar was taken the week before it failed, good job that had nothing to do with it!Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!
Last edited by xtc on 22nd Jul 2008 11:24 am. Edited 1 time in total
22nd Jul 2008 11:20 am
AndrewS Tarquin of the Desert
Member Since: 06 May 2005
Location: Y...... because I can
Posts: 10438
Starter MotorIn the Beginning there was nothing, which exploded.
Agreed, Starter motor Amature short develping most probably,
Particularly if no other errors, other errors to say battery.
Have funTDV6
22nd Jul 2008 1:19 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
glad others seem to concur - and anyway the D3 needs cleaning again after my greenfielding at the weekend, so another trip to the dealers would be good Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
22nd Jul 2008 1:45 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
It must be catching
Ive started having exactly the same problem.
Went into the dealer this morning (MJ Fews), they tested the battery, all ok and said "yes you are correct, it could be the starter motor, we'll order a new one" and booked it in for next week Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
12th Aug 2008 12:29 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
Well mine went in yesterday for GS Stockport to have a look at the problem (alongside a full brake pad change) and they could find nothing wrong with the battery so are fitting a new starter motor todaySteve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
12th Aug 2008 12:42 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
Got it back this afternoon - WHAT a difference! I reckon its turning over at TWICE the speed it was when (I thought) it was OK, not when it was at its worst...Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
12th Aug 2008 9:02 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
this is likely to be a frequent problem when the warranty runs out. Anyone know how to change the starter motor. I looked underneath today and cant even see the starter motor Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
12th Aug 2008 9:23 pm
Ent
Member Since: 12 Oct 2007
Location: In the cack
Posts: 6485
I'm having the same problem to the extent that on some mornings when I turn the key it will click rapidly then turn over very slowly, at this point I'll stop cranking return the key to the off position give it a few seconds and then crank again, it will then turn over much faster and start the engine. I've put the battery on charge over night a few times and on these occasions the car turns over as normal, so my conclusion is battery fault rather than starter motor. It is as if the first turn of the key seems to kick start the battery into action. It is a strange one in regards to the frequency and timing of the phantom flat battery problem as this can occur after the car has been running for 4 hours(run to Scotland at the weekend) stopped for 10 mins struggled to start or stood overnight. Tested the battery with Wiggs last week with a high drain tester and the battery level dropped slightly into the weak section, his did not using the same equipment. I just cant get my head round the fact that the battery looks to be duff being less than 12 months old and has not had short journeys to contend with. It may be a combination of duff battery and starter motor its just getting time to book it in with the stealer.Club Exped trailer
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| 08MY Discovery 3 (history) 
My avitar was taken the week before it failed, good job that had nothing to do with it!
and booked it in for next week 
