I have a 99 Discovery II with approx. 141k miles. In the past month, there have been times when I get in to start it and I hear a click and then nothing, but I can turn it off and tryto start itagain, and it starts fine. Could this be the beginning of the starter going bad? If so, what is the best way to get it checked without going to the dealer?

 

Sunshine - sounds like a classic beginning of a starter failureto me. I've replaced many a one and they've almost always started like this - usuall a problem with the solenoid on the starter. When this happens the bendix won't kick out.

A starter shouldn't be a major investment and with 144K I'd recommend you replace it now while you can rather than having the vehicle leave you stranded. This is a fairly easy and straightforward repair that most folks can do themselves without having to take the vehicle to a dealer.

 

Thanks for the information!

 

Have you checked your connections, are they clean and tight? Go down to a local auto parts store and ask them to do a battery load tes as well as a starter test, they will do this for free.

 

I'll take it and have it checked this afternoon! Thanks!

 

very few starter actually fail on old discos, as a preventive measure though, get a star washer and put it on the starter at the power cable, when they 'go bad' its usually just a poor contact there, the washer will take care of that

 

There is a factory service bulletine regarding no crank no start on your vehicle. If equiped with a Bosche starter. it involves a loose starter connection and star washers as described by roverguy7.