Non Starter

[jamesledingham]

Me yet again!

I seem unable to start the defender I got yesterday. Perhaps my own fault in that I didn't see it cold stated before I bought it. I've got a couple of questions to try and narrow down what's wrong

Are the glow plugs vital, or do they just aid in a cold start?
Would it start warm if the problem was the starter motor?
How long does the key have to be half turned before igniting and should I be waiting for the light to come on or go off?

Any other suggestions?

(I've tried jump startnig it, and headlights are at full strength so it's not the battery!)

1989 2.5TD

[TDi90]

does it turn over?

[Snooky]

you should hold the key for the glow plugs for at least 10 secs, but should then turn OK, but the last question needs to be answered, does it try to turn or not?

[TDi90]

i.e. do you hear a clicking sound,.... or a turn over engine trying to start sound?

[phoenixmad]

if it dosent turn over its your egnition barel i had that last year check your starter moter as well

[TDi90]

hit the starter motor with a pole (or long oobject) whilst someone turns the key. that should do it.

HTH
Rob

[Lawnmower]

check earth on starter and battery, and wires to relay.

some relays have a button in them to press to bypass it, try that too.

.

I have a spare relay if needed, but they only cost a fiver anyway.

or glow plugs knackered.

15 seconds on mine in this cold weather.

[Lawnmower]

on mine the light comes on-it looks like a choke symbol on mine.

[jamesledingham]

It's a choke smbol. Stays on.

It trys to turn over...

[Lawnmower]

It's a choke smbol. Stays on.

It trys to turn over...

Does it sound 'weak' or 'strong' when turning over?

Also is there any fuel in it? Parked on an incline?

Fuel cut off solenoid valve overrun thing staying shut?

[jamesledingham]

It sounds extremely weak when it's turning over. It is on a little incline...hardly any though. Ten feet away from a brick wall! Plenty of diesel in it.

I've been recommended trying a tow start...would this be a good idea?

[Porny]

Tow starts aren't the best thing on a diesel....

When you turn it over (trying to start it), are you getting any smoke out of the exhaust?

The slight incline shouldn't make a difference.

Glow plugs on your Td do make quite a difference... you will need to hold the key in position 3 (I think) - with the choke symbol lit up for a good 15 seconds.  Non direct injection diesels are not the best starting from cold.

With the engine hot, it should start with just a wiff of the glow plugs.

The other option is to buy can of easy start - which you spray straight into the inlet - so either into the turbo, or better still remove the silicon 90 degree pipe that goes from the turbo to the inlet manifold - and spray it straight into the inlet manifold why some one trys to start the car.

There are lots of things that can affect starting performace, the main ones are:

Engine Timing (if someone has fitted a new cam belt, even a few degrees of error can make starting poor)

Valve clearances too small

Air in the fuel (i.e. and air leak in the fuel system somewhere) - or poorly bled after a fuel filter change

On your engine, faulty glow plugs.

Faulty fuel solenoid

Blocked air intake (or blocked exhaust)

If the engine is turning over slowly, it might just be a tired battery.

Faulty starter motor

Poor earth or live feeds (as already been mentioned) - Td's are quite prone to this.  Run a jump lead from the negative terminal of your battery and clamp it somewhere onto the engine/engine block - make sure you get a good contact.  Then try and see if it improves things.

Also check the postive terminal is tight on starter motor.

Check the terminals are tight on the battery - and that the battery posts are clean.

Ian