Engine won't crank

[pyro]

Hey folks, I've got an intermitant problem with my v70 2.5d.

So, turn the key, dashboard lights come on as normal, radio etc
Turn against the spring to start the engine, and .... nothing.
I can't hear a click from the starter motor solenoid. the lights dim/go out on the dash. but nothing actually happens.

Mess about with the key, turn it back and forth a few/lots of times and it'll crank up as normal with no issues.




New battery, tight clamps, no sparking, burning smells, cables on the starter seem tight, I've never touched it in the 5-6 years ive had it.

Starter motor on it's way out? Ignition barrel? It's done it twice in about a week.

Any ideas?

Cheers folks
Ben

[Luxobarge]

Sounds to me like the electrical part of the ignition switch - a common-ish fault on these, not hard to change.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by pyro

Hey folks, I've got an intermitant problem with my v70 2.5d.

So, turn the key, dashboard lights come on as normal, radio etc
Turn against the spring to start the engine, and .... nothing.
I can't hear a click from the starter motor solenoid. the lights dim/go out on the dash. but nothing actually happens.

Mess about with the key, turn it back and forth a few/lots of times and it'll crank up as normal with no issues.




New battery, tight clamps, no sparking, burning smells, cables on the starter seem tight, I've never touched it in the 5-6 years ive had it.

Starter motor on it's way out? Ignition barrel? It's done it twice in about a week.

Any ideas?

Cheers folks
Ben

If the starter solenoid clicks it cant be anything other than the starter motor , OR a poor engine earth lead or power cable at the starter motor end ...

get someone to tap the starter motor with a solid object whilst you hold the key in the start position , if it starts suspect the brushes ..

[Luxobarge]

Originally Posted by Clan

If the starter solenoid clicks it cant be anything other than the starter motor ........

Quite so, but the OP specifically states that he can't hear the solenoid clicking, but that fiddling with the ignition switch gets it to work, indicating that in fact it's probably not the motor itself?

[RollingThunder]

If the dash lights are dimming, that would indicate a heavy load on the battery - so I'd suspect the starter motor.

If however, the dash lights go out altogether, then that would be normal behaviour, in the same way the headlights go out when starting the engine. In which case it could be the ignition switch.

My first suspect would be the switch from the behaviour you describe

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Luxobarge

Quite so, but the OP specifically states that he can't hear the solenoid clicking, but that fiddling with the ignition switch gets it to work, indicating that in fact it's probably not the motor itself?

you are right i misread can't for can ...

ignition switches can play up on these after a long time ..

[pyro]

Interesting, cheers folks.

I'll check what the lights actually do when I turn the key. Either dim or go out. the next time it does it.

Can the ignition switch be replaced without changing the key and barrel etc?

I remember the "sharp tap" starter motor method from having series landrovers for a several years!

Thanks!
Ben

[Luxobarge]

Originally Posted by pyro

Can the ignition switch be replaced without changing the key and barrel etc?

Yes. Easy job I believe.

[pyro]

Well my vida won't load (no network connection, apparently) so I'll have a look about for parts and see what I come up with,

thanks!
Ben

[Clan]

Originally Posted by pyro

Well my vida won't load (no network connection, apparently) so I'll have a look about for parts and see what I come up with,

thanks!
Ben

yes the ignition switch is on the opposite side to the key just 2 screws ....