Help (300tdi defender electrics). 98. Starter etc.
Discussion
I should just get my audi estate back and put this POS back on the internet for romantic fools.
Let's set the scene.
1. The alarm/magic key fob thing would periodically go off, despite being dead. The horn would just sound continually and somehow detaching it would sort of reset it. I took the 10A fuse out and haven't had any problems since.
2. The guy who owned it before took the fan off for more power and had the heater blower on. I didn't know this and turned it off by lifting the lever. To get the thing to work, you need to push down and give it a waggle. I was in a traffic jam today and I pushed it down, to get it to connect and got the smoke smell out of the hole. Quickly moved it to the off position.
3. Went out to see a mate, thing wouldn't start. We reverse bumped it. It started. Lights seem fine. Battery at rest is like 12.4v. I blew a few fuses trying to get a reading out of the lighter socket. I have a good reason to think the battery is ok. Or at least to the not-starter.
The thing not starting made a noise like a machine gun. This is a rapid onset thing, there has been no problems. I'm thinking this is sounding like an earth somewhere not being up to scratch. I'm going to check the battery tomorrow, check the charging voltage after I've bumped it and gone through the connections. This is typical "old car" for me.
Are any of you aware of any of the above symptoms being a thing. I have removed the blower fuse before driving home. This has made no difference to the charging or the click click click click.
Cheers in advance.
Buying an old defender was a romantic decision. I should have got an Isuzu.
Let's set the scene.
1. The alarm/magic key fob thing would periodically go off, despite being dead. The horn would just sound continually and somehow detaching it would sort of reset it. I took the 10A fuse out and haven't had any problems since.
2. The guy who owned it before took the fan off for more power and had the heater blower on. I didn't know this and turned it off by lifting the lever. To get the thing to work, you need to push down and give it a waggle. I was in a traffic jam today and I pushed it down, to get it to connect and got the smoke smell out of the hole. Quickly moved it to the off position.
3. Went out to see a mate, thing wouldn't start. We reverse bumped it. It started. Lights seem fine. Battery at rest is like 12.4v. I blew a few fuses trying to get a reading out of the lighter socket. I have a good reason to think the battery is ok. Or at least to the not-starter.
The thing not starting made a noise like a machine gun. This is a rapid onset thing, there has been no problems. I'm thinking this is sounding like an earth somewhere not being up to scratch. I'm going to check the battery tomorrow, check the charging voltage after I've bumped it and gone through the connections. This is typical "old car" for me.
Are any of you aware of any of the above symptoms being a thing. I have removed the blower fuse before driving home. This has made no difference to the charging or the click click click click.
Cheers in advance.
Buying an old defender was a romantic decision. I should have got an Isuzu.
It's a 20 year old vehicle & it doesn't help that a PO has mucked about with it.
Taking the fan off won't give you more power.
Neither will fitting Kenlowes or similar although it will reduce the amount of noise from the engine bay and may be worthwhile if you plan to do a lot of deep wading as you can turn the fan off to stop water being flung about in the engine bay - more of an issue with petrols.
IME Kenlowes made b.all difference to the fuel consumption (RRC 3.5) which on a vehicle with the aerodynamics of a garden shed isn't a big surprise.
As you say, it's 'old vehicle' tests although equally applicable to modern full-of-electrics cars where dying or discharged batteries are a major issue. Short journeys with lots of electrics on can cause problems.
Trying a known good fully charged battery or recharging the vehicle's own battery with a battery charger often solves the problem.
If it doesn't then it's battery & earth connection checks & the jump lead from block to battery earth terminal which you did.
I've no idea about the alarm issue. Mine's a 1986 & they didn't have such electrickery devices.
Taking the fan off won't give you more power.
Neither will fitting Kenlowes or similar although it will reduce the amount of noise from the engine bay and may be worthwhile if you plan to do a lot of deep wading as you can turn the fan off to stop water being flung about in the engine bay - more of an issue with petrols.
IME Kenlowes made b.all difference to the fuel consumption (RRC 3.5) which on a vehicle with the aerodynamics of a garden shed isn't a big surprise.
As you say, it's 'old vehicle' tests although equally applicable to modern full-of-electrics cars where dying or discharged batteries are a major issue. Short journeys with lots of electrics on can cause problems.
Trying a known good fully charged battery or recharging the vehicle's own battery with a battery charger often solves the problem.
If it doesn't then it's battery & earth connection checks & the jump lead from block to battery earth terminal which you did.
I've no idea about the alarm issue. Mine's a 1986 & they didn't have such electrickery devices.
Edited by paintman on Thursday 3rd September 09:28
As has been mentioned; when any number of previous owners have made somewhat dubious "improvements" or just plain bodges it does take a while to correct everything to attain a sorted vehicle. However this is little different for buying any vehicle in excess of 20 years old.
Mine is now fully sorted and thoroughly enjoyable but it took me probably 2 years of finding stuff on it to get it that way - and mine seemed quite a nice example when purchased. I had to "re-do" that experience recently after sending it to a so called specialist for installation of a galvanised chassis. Lots just missed including bolts not tightened up, no clipping of the brake pipes to the new chassis, worn out/defective original parts reused etc... I could go on, but again now all sorted and wouldn't part with the old girl.
Percevirance definitely required to get to the point where you will be happy (or an early bail and a return to more traditional motoring).
Mine is now fully sorted and thoroughly enjoyable but it took me probably 2 years of finding stuff on it to get it that way - and mine seemed quite a nice example when purchased. I had to "re-do" that experience recently after sending it to a so called specialist for installation of a galvanised chassis. Lots just missed including bolts not tightened up, no clipping of the brake pipes to the new chassis, worn out/defective original parts reused etc... I could go on, but again now all sorted and wouldn't part with the old girl.
Percevirance definitely required to get to the point where you will be happy (or an early bail and a return to more traditional motoring).
Mining Subsidence Man said:
Jump leads on block to black. Started.
Bad earth.
Is this some really sBad earth.
t version of the Shipping Forecast?I think you’re right to think about going back to an Audi, or an Isuzu.
The vitriol towards your vehicle just oozes out of your post and it sounds like you simply don’t have the patience.
Sell it.
Land rovers do suffer more than most from neglect and bodges from mechanically inept previous owners. They aren’t complex but they do have a stringent servicing regime that needs sticking too if they are to stay reliable.
I doubt a 22 year old Audi or Isuzu would be any less troublesome, my last VAG car was knackered and unusable at 12 years old due to rust and electrical issues.
I doubt a 22 year old Audi or Isuzu would be any less troublesome, my last VAG car was knackered and unusable at 12 years old due to rust and electrical issues.
A Disco1 or RRC is an absolute barge compared to a Defender. That’s why people who want a Defender ignore you, especially if they want a 90.
They’re also no less prone to the kind of bodges and DIY servicing to which the OP refers. I’d say they possibly suffer even more, as they’re of an age now where owners get ever more creative (read: careless) with things like electrics, and yet at the same time they’re still just about complex enough that stray voltages and random amps here and there render the car useless.
Besides, have you seen prices for decent, original Range Rovers that haven’t been:
Bob-tailed
Lifted (badly)
“Converted” to a pick up
Left in a field for the last forty years?
They’re also no less prone to the kind of bodges and DIY servicing to which the OP refers. I’d say they possibly suffer even more, as they’re of an age now where owners get ever more creative (read: careless) with things like electrics, and yet at the same time they’re still just about complex enough that stray voltages and random amps here and there render the car useless.
Besides, have you seen prices for decent, original Range Rovers that haven’t been:
Bob-tailed
Lifted (badly)
“Converted” to a pick up
Left in a field for the last forty years?
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 3rd September 15:57
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 3rd September 15:58
Mining Subsidence Man said:
Jump leads on block to black. Started.
Bad earth.
That was going to be my suggestion as I had the same issue many years ago.Bad earth.
The Defender has its main earth connection at the rear of the transfer case and then relies on the casings. Thing is, once you split the casings for something like a clutch change, that electrical continuity can be lost... Grease, crud, etc...
I’ve simply run an extra cable from the -ve to one of the starter motor bolts.
FWIW - This fix also solved some other electrical ‘problems’ I had, the main one being the temp gauge showing I was constantly overheating.
HTH
M
Edited by camel_landy on Thursday 3rd September 16:43
Crossflow Kid said:
Is this some really st version of the Shipping Forecast?
I think you’re right to think about going back to an Audi, or an Isuzu.
The vitriol towards your vehicle just oozes out of your post and it sounds like you simply don’t have the patience.
Sell it.
It was an easy fix. I lost a contract today as a result of it, but I replaced the exhaust, fixed the axle oil leak and sorted the electrics out. t version of the Shipping Forecast?I think you’re right to think about going back to an Audi, or an Isuzu.
The vitriol towards your vehicle just oozes out of your post and it sounds like you simply don’t have the patience.
Sell it.
I'm in love with it again.
At least everything isn't a £700 job.
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