I just picked this up for a super good deal and knowing that it won't start. It's been sitting for a month or so also. I went today with my fully charged booster pack and found that there was no power at all even with the booster pack hooked up there was nothing with the key turned on. No power at all, no even a sound.

It started to get dark out and hard to see. Gonna start at it tomorrow with a meter and test light to see why there is no power. Any pointers on where to start would be helpful. I will reply back tomorrow with maybe some head way.

 

Bring a regular sized battery. Hold down hood alarm switch before you jump it off. If it won't turn the starter over, you may be immobilized. Look for red LED lit up on dash or flashing, that can indicate what the alarm thinks is going on.

 

It could be immobilization, but its a 95 and they really didn't start having those issues until about 98+. I've had my rover almost 4 years now and it has never given me immobilization grief. General procedure though: Leave key in ignition, door open, then connect the battery. When you put a battery in it, and there is still no juice, check the main fuse as well as the connections from the battery to the fuse box and alternator as well as the grounds.

 

I went out tonight after work with a fully charged battery booster and it fired right up!! Last night was dark so I couldn't see that the guy i bought it from had the battery positive terminal bolt off with the starter wire loose. I tightened the bolt and starter wire. That was the whole reason why he sold the vehicle because he couldn't get it started, it just kept clicking.

Anyway it runs really well but the temp gauge is all over the place, cold to half way then back down to cold just sitting there idling. At least it runs I guess, no the fun begins.

 

IMHO the first thing you should change is the $10 thermostat. I run a 180F stat, but I don't live in the frozen North. But a 180 will get you going and you can see what else is going on with cooling system. Sounds like yours is sticking open. It may also need radiator flush, rod out, etc.

 

Your voltage is all over the map if your temp gauge is going from hot to cold randomly/suddenly. Mine used to do this, the voltage regulator was failing in my alternator and needed to be replaced. First verify it is not overheating with an OBD scanner or infrared gauge (OBD is best). If the temps read back fine, take it to Autozone or another auto parts store and have them test the charging system. When they tested mine, everything passed except the voltage regulator. Loose grounds can cause this issue too.

 

I will be changing the thermostat first thing anyway, along with the plugs, wires fuel filter. I'll test the charging system also.

 

It now runs great but has a low charging voltage at 13.5v, when I rev it to 2000rpm it only comes up a little bit. Shouldn't it be at 14.5v?