A poor termination on the supply cable could result in this problem. High resistance = voltage drop = high amps = possible starter windings damage but you would expect to see evidence of high temp damage at said termination. Agueroooooooooo. 93-20
I swear you will never see anything like this ever again....watch it..drink it in.

Cam-Tech-Craig wrote:

+1 for a second opinion... Take the car to a reputable auto electrician who can do some old fashioned fault finding

The reason they want to replace the main power lead will be down to the pyrotechnic charge (big fuse) that might be at fault "would be my guess"

Full Fat Ray wrote:

Not sure I understand the logic behind the main cable from battery to starter?

The only real fault you will get in a cable like this is duff terminations giving it a high resistance - this would mean a reduced voltage at the starter, so it would turn more slowly, or just not start the car - can't see how it would lunch on the starter motor, but it should be easy to put a voltmeter on the starter motor terminal and see what the volt drop is while the starter is cranking, this would show whether this cable is dodgy or not, and should take all of 10 minutes.

It would be useful to know what is actually failing in your motors - are the windings burning out, or the solenoids failing?

Anyhow, it shouldn't be happening - I wonder if the starter they have spec'd is up to the job?

It is the solonoid that is failing!!

^ could be, but would you not usually replace the solenoid with the starter?

Is it possible the starter is remaining engaged after the starting cycle is complete? This would be a relay problem possibly. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

^ that is a good call monkey, I was thinking something along them lines, would certainly account for their short lifespan! 2007 Zermatt Silver TDV8 Vogue SE - now sold but was a great car!

Thanks Everyone.
I have just quoted some of the comments to the garage, which the engineer has read. Thanks for all your help.

The engineer says this.
"I have read through the suggestions on the website and I can see their points but as was explained to me what is happening is Low battery voltage(?) is causing the starter solenoid Main terminal to arc on engaging. This was explained to me by a specialist in starter motors and alternators.
What concerns me is that Landrover keep this £300 part on the shelf. That tells me that they are a common failure item. Hope this is of some help.
We have checked (no fault found) and cleaned the terminals on the starter and the battery and can find no fault with them."

So. If Land Rover stock this part I am surprised that nobody else, but 1, has had this problem....?

An option could be making a "cheap" live cable to the solenoid and see if that is a problem.

Also just doing a resistance check on the current cable should show whether resistance and therefor voltage is an issue. Also checking the amps during starting should be done. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

I had a starting issue on my 2010 4.4TDV8. It needed a new starter.

The symptoms were an intermittent failure to start - press the starter and about one time in three: CLICK. The other times it would start without a problem. New starter sorted it.