td5defender Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 Hi all, i am yet to be convinced there is a problem with the starter solenoid or starter at this stage. If i bypass the starter circuit by applying 12V directly to the blade terminal on the side of the solenoid the starter fires normally. The engine either fires momentarily or not all in this case. The issue is that I am not getting 12V at the solenoid blade terminal wire (the main feed to the starter solenoid is geting permanent 12V as normal). The fault that is stopping 12V getting to the blade terminal is also interfering with the engine running. Possible alarm ECU fault or issue in the starter circuit? Given the ECUs worked fine in another vehicle maybe points to a starter circuit issue? I would be happy to pull the starter out and inspect the starter solenoid, but cant see the point at this stage when signs pointing elsewhere? Sure worth it given it works perfect if i throw 12V at the solenoid blade terminal? Just to respond to a few suggestions directly: yes tried locking/unlocking a few times, will find out if any ECU codes came up when tested, no flashing red light on speedo cluster - get steady red light, then light goes off and stays off when unlock car with key fob plus flash of hazards, have not touched fuel filter / fuel system, checked ecu earth and earth straps under vehicle all cleaned and reinstalled, crank sensor wires confirmed connected. Referred to Haines manual 5.7 Section 8. I haven't seen the red light on the speedo flashing recently but remember it used too? I'm going to have to get this towed to a pro unless anyone has any final ideas I can try? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 Freak Posted March 16, 2019 Share Posted March 16, 2019 Agree with your assessment of the starter. Have you checked the starter relay? Row of relays just above the fuses in the cab. 2nd or 3rd in from left dependant on vehicle spec. All the yellow ones are the same so you can swap to test if needed. Simple check is fuse cover removed, fingers on the relays and turn the key and feel if the relay click? If not, it’s either the relay or something else breaking the circuit, potentially your secondary alarm system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaklander Posted March 16, 2019 Share Posted March 16, 2019 I would struggle to work through this without an electrical diagram. I have one for 97MY which I know is a little older but the circuit sounds the same as yours. I will at least try to explain how it is connected but the end is that I think it is alarm or immobiliser related and not directly electrical. You said right at the top of the thread that if you remove the BO coloured wire from the "RELAY-STARTER" R102 coil and ground that pin (86), then the starter will spin (ok not for long). When you reconnect then it won't. As you can see the "ECU-ALARM" unit is controlling that ground connection and if it isn't providing that ground on the BO wire then it must not be trying to. If you look at the load side of that relay - the WR wire from the Crank position on the IGN switch is routed through the relay but doesn't go direct to the "SOLENOID STARTER MOTOR", to routes through the "ECU ENGINE IMMOBILISATION". So even if you can energise the starter relay (as you did), the starter motor solenoid won't operate unless the immobiliser allows it (or until it prevents it, which seems to be what's happening). This text is taken from the Defender Electrical library - a pdf is easily found on the internet So I'd say that the first stage of the problem must be that the alarm ECU isn't allowing the relay to energise. When you force it to then the Immobiliser stops the feed to the starter anyway. IMHO it must still be associated with these two units. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
td5defender Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 Hi again, and thank you for the comments. I think we are on the right track with diagnosing the problem. It makes the most sense to me given the symptoms. My only nagging doubt is that these units worked in another vehicle... but what we are seeing in my Td5 does seem to point to one of these two units... If we take it that there is a problem with the alarm ECU and/or immobilisation function of the engine ECU, then that raises the question of how do I best resolve this issue? At the moment I have a 2 tonne piece of fine art work stuck in the garage! On the starter relay - Yes I did swap over the starter relay with a new one but it made no difference. It is not "clicking" when I try a start which I believe will be because the immobiliser is stopping it going to ground so the circuit is not being completed? On this note, I can hear a relay clicking under the driver seat when I turn the key to position III. Any ideas on how to resolve this probable ECU issue would be much appreciated. Thanks for the support with this! Cheers Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaklander Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 (edited) I would think but I'm no expert, from the alarm / immobiliser texts in the manual, that this is the Alarm ECU not happy and so also flagging this to the immobiliser. The text also talks about using the EKA code to reset it if for some reason the ignition barrel sensor thing isn't doing the job. I obtained my code from the LR Dealer when I provided proof of ownership. P.S. sent you a PM Edited March 17, 2019 by Peaklander Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
td5defender Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share Posted March 17, 2019 Thanks for the idea - good call but I tried the EKA code a couple of times but with no luck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingrat Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 There is a earth block on the right hand upper bulkhead in the engine bay. Just double check it has a good contact. That will definitely stop it starting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 Freak Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 It might be worth viewing this series of video's for other ideas and ways of checking items.... (Covers crank sensor testing, fuel pressure, fuel pump etc.) It might help to systematically eliminate things you have reviewed and explain how to test others. It doesn't cover the alarm system however... ;( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
td5defender Posted March 21, 2019 Author Share Posted March 21, 2019 Hi there, thanks for the posts. 👍 Thank you! Unfortunately, I did not see the last couple of entries before I sent the Landy off to a LR specialist. It would have been good to check these items first.... I will let you know what happens... hopefully I have missed something straight forward and its an easy fix??? mmm not so confident on that one but let's see...! thanks to everyone for their help and support 👍👍👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaklander Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 Yes we definitely want feedback please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaklander Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 Is there any news yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy6144 Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 does anyone have an answer for this yet? I have the exact same problem with my defender td5, commercial model, no central locking, no key fob no start no crack no power to small wire lights, dash, fuel pump works only starts after bypassing ignition relay or by grounding the Orange/Black wire.. used nanocom to turn off passive immobliser, no joy. Has this question been answered anywhere else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 Freak Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 There is a relay that controls the starter. Yellow relay second in from the left….. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy6144 Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 12 hours ago, V8 Freak said: There is a relay that controls the starter. Yellow relay second in from the left….. Thanks for the reply, I've replaced it with a new one and still have the same problem. I'm on the path of believing that its something to do with the ecu alarm/immobiliser. There is a OB wire from the starter relay that leads to the ecu alarm, this also acts as the ground from my reading. Probably explains why the engine cuts out 2 seconds after starting via bypassing the ignition switch and starter relay. Immobiliser not getting the correct signal maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 Is the earth from the ECU good? Might be worth running a temporary wire from the earth at the bottom of the seat box straight to the battery -ve. If only to rule it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piggle Posted April 4, 2023 Share Posted April 4, 2023 Hi Has anybody found a cure for this fault please My defender TD5 year 2000 has developed the same problem - drove about , washed the wheels - now wont crank . Will crank if I put power to the small starter terminal - ran for two secs then stopped - won't start even when cranking using power to small starter solenoid terminal. So identical to the others problem - how did they get over it -if at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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