Hi all,

I have just acquired a 1996 Defender 110 300TDi which, in the words of the previous owner, "needs work". It ran fine for a couple of weeks but now won't start. Battery seems okay-ish (but not great), and current seems to be getting to the starter (see video). I just get rapid clicking from the engine bay when I turn the key. Previous failed start attempts had the starter turn over slowly and descend into the same clicking. It is pretty cold right now, sub zero, but it started fine in the same conditions before.

Before I order a whole new starter motor (I'm overseas), is there anything else I can try to confirm what the problem is?

Thanks in advance!

Tom

 

Check battery terminals, make sure they're clean and tight, if okay, have battery load tested at a parts store, knowing exactly what the condition of the battery is paramount. If battery checks out okay, check ground cable at frame, clean terminal and make sure it is tight. If all of this fails to make a difference...remove starter and have it tested at parts store.

 

Thank you – the focus on battery condition helped me solve the problem.

I worked through a few DIY tests with a multimeter and came to the conclusion that a worn battery was the issue. It was at 11V, down to 9.4V after running the headlights for 30 seconds. Boosting with a power pack did not help. Considering it had been parked for a year when I bought it, and the battery hadn't been holding charge well anyway, I decided a new one was in order. As soon as I swapped it out, it started first time.

I think I was thrown by not having been able to jump start it off another car a couple of days previously. Hopefully it doesn't prove to be the alternator, but all things considered it seems unlikely.

And so the journey of Defender ownership begins...

Thanks again!

 

Yeah, load testing the battery by adding draw with headlights and a few accessories, while watching a multimeter works too. Glad you got it sorted and she's up and running.