My '00 Disco would crank and crank and not start. Garage eventually (and perhaps accidentally) figured it was a key fob issue. I simply used the second set key. So car started and ran for a few days. Now key goes in, dash lights up but won't even turn over. After several tries - usually storming off in anger - car starts and runs fine.

Thoughts?

 

First off check battery voltage. Low V can cause all kinds of odd gremlinesque things. I would imagine a garage would do that, but I'd want to know myself.

Then I'd be checking the wiring at the starter.

 

That's interesting - the starter was replaced by the garage as they wore it out dealing with the key fob issue. Maybe a loose wire?

 

Maybe a defective starter. Not out of the question.

So, goes into a garage, they swap starter, you change a key and it starts?

Come out, stops starting intermittently?

I would defo double check starter/wires.

Main ground points. Learn where they are, remove, clean, replace.

There isn't an imobiliser chip in the key, (as I understand, others can confirm) so if it turns and engages the starter that's all it does.

I know it's been in the hands of 'professionals', but start with the obvious. Don't assume they got anything right.

 

Also check the battery terminals. Are the cable camps tight? I'd also check the grounding strap at the top left of the engine (drivers side, top corner of engine). If the strap is broken or the nut holding it to the body are loose, strange things can happen. Finally, disconnect the battery and follow the major cables to be sure the insulation is okay. I was driving down a two lane highway in the middle of the night and my truck went DEAD when the wires fell on the exhaust and grounded...zip tie to the rescue.

If you take the starter off, most starter and alternator shops will test it for free, but what a pain on the butt.

 

And consider the CPS which is the most common cause for starting a D2 has.

 

So took it back to the garage that did the work. They could not duplicate the problem. Started and ran for three days - I've had it for a few days and has been starting up without any issues