Defendern00b Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 1991 defender 200tdi is slow to start, especially when cold. Each morning (whether warm or cold out) I start after the glow plug light has gone out. It cranks slowly (almost like a duff battery), then fires up and runs fine. The head gasket was replaced 4k ago and there's no white smoke or milky oil to suggest its the culprit. On that first start, the battery light stays on until I prod the accelerator. It goes off and stays off after that. Battery is new, battery terminals are good, clean and tight. Alternator is tested and charging as expected. I have a real mental block when it comes to electrical gremlins, so next checks/assistance would be greatly received! Pics of wire locations would be a great help too. Cheers all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy996 Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 First thought is the condition of the earth straps. Stick a jump lead between the engine and the earth side of the battery. Does the engine spin up any faster? If yes, sort the earth straps. If no, then it's probably something else, like a tired starter. (Something similar caught me out in France in 2019, when my LR110 wouldn't start on the key; final conclusion, dying starter). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 Also starter motor - has this been changed at all? is it a genuine Velao/Bosch type or is it aftermarket? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jocklandjohn Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 I had something like this years ago, it was resolved by a new starter motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escape Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 As above, you've seem to have checked everything but the starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defendern00b Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share Posted October 1, 2021 Thanks all. I've had the battery on an optimate overnight. I've disconnected it and will leave it a few hours before trying to start. Which is earthed - neg or positive battery post? I've not checked the starter motor yet. Will pop out at lunchtime and see if I can find a name on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nonimouse Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 Earth straps would be my first choice. Clean the battery to chassis strap and the chassi to engine strap. I have a habbit of adding a second engine to chassis earth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 Yeah as been said a few times already - I'd be removing earth straps at all ends and cleaning all contact areas - also look at the +ve connections too they can be a bit rough. Then I'd be looking towards the starter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defendern00b Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share Posted October 1, 2021 I'll start with earth straps then! Can anyone provide me with pics and locations for these little beasties? Searching the forum I found posts but images are no longer available. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 20 minutes ago, Defendern00b said: I'll start with earth straps then! Can anyone provide me with pics and locations for these little beasties? Searching the forum I found posts but images are no longer available. Cheers 1) - follow the earth cable from your battery through the battery box hole... it should be attached to a stud/bolt on the back end/side of the transfer box. - Something like the below picture (taken from google) (this is a later set-up) - you can see the later type passenger side rubber mount for the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defendern00b Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share Posted October 1, 2021 Easy enough. I'll give it a clean up. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelE Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 A couple of years ago I had complete electrical failure caused by this very earth. I spent the best part of 6 weeks in and out and under during the constant 3 months of rain we had that autumn trying to track down the cause. I had checked that this earth was secure, and it most certainly was, but that wasn't the problem. It was the poor conductivity. I almost cried with joy and relief when I yanked hard on this cable and heard the wipers start to move [set to on so I could detect when things came alive whilst underneath]. On taking the lead off and inspecting the surfaces they still looked fairly good, but I guess not good enough. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 There will be an earth from your engine and / or gearbox too. Do those. My 200tdi was slow to start - especially in cold weather. So I’ve just renewed the earth from the engine to the chassis - and run an earth direct from the battery negative to that same point on the chassis and it’s starting brilliantly now. Everytime I turn the key it makes me smile 😊 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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