I have a new to me 2001 land rover discovery 2. Had it for 2 months, no issues. Running quick errands on Friday night, stopped at a store for 10 minutes and it would not start back up. Never hesitated to start before, No issues before.

now when I try to start it, I hear one click in the dash and nothing happens. Starter does not start. Dash lights up, ten battery and oil lights are on for a few seconds, then they go off.

Battery is good, auto store tested that and the starter, confirming both are good. Friend had voltage meter (not sure what it was exactly, but I need one) and it looks like voltage is good from battery fuse box and to starter. I’m new at this and learning, so it’s been fun diagnosing but now I am starting to worry.

battery terminals were a mess so I replaced those. I replaced the 10A fuse under the dash, didn’t know how to test and I have a bunch of new ones.

I will also say that the car was purchased with 2 keys, only one has the fob and it does not work. Previous owner said it never worked correctly, and i think it does not have battery.

 

Sure sounds like amp's are low due to a dirty ground (make sure the ground which connects to the alternator bracket is connected) or weak connections.

 

How do I buy you a beer! Beers!! This morning I removed and scrubbed the heck out of 3 ground wires on the interior engine compartment by the fuse box, and I pulled the ground off the alternator and did the same. Put them back in and the truck started!!! Now it did hesitate a bit to start, and I tried it off/on a few times and it’s definitely a little sluggish but turning over every time! This afternoon I will remove and scrub them all more to see if I can get it fully back to starting like it previously did.

thank you so much for taking the time to help.

 

Clean the major ground connection on the block behind the belt tensioner. Follow the negative cable from the battery. It also might be worth cleaning the main positive connection at the starter (disconnect the battery first!). All the smaller grounds are important for the truck to run but starting relies on the large cable connections. You mentioned replacing the battery terminals, did you replace the cables or just the ends? The auto parts store replacement ends are troublesome at best. For reliable performance you should really invest in new cables.

 

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