Watcha Chaps!

Hope all are well.

My pal has a 2003 TD6 and the ignition is playing up... when you put the key in the slot the steering unlocks, everytime, but quite often when the key is turned to position 3, all is very quiet... D'OH!!

Normally after repeated swearing and key turning it will respond, but it ain't right!

Is it ignition wafer/switch, is there a cheap relay hidden in the depths of the car, or should we be looking at a starter solenoid? Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

switch itself can be problamatic-you would lose nothing by checking the connections onto it first

Thanks for that I'll have a poke about  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

Switch is a common fail but could also be the solenoid. The solenoid is fed by a wire from the immobiliser under the centre console. I would start at the solenoid to test if the crank feed is reaching it or not when it fails to crank, it’s a small black / yellow wire from memory down the right hand side of the engine at the rear as you look at it, I think you can see it. You might get some voltage but not enough if the switch is playing up. The lower part of the ignition barrel is replaceable without the need for recoding the key.

^^ Are but have you seen the price

I didn't want to replace the car

We've opted for the relay as it's a tenner.... start cheep

I'm assuming that it's hidden behind the battery..... wot bright spark thought of that place  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

I do like a bet, I’ll have £1 with you that it’s not the relay

Only because the only relay I can think of feeds the glow plugs..
The starter motor has 12 volts direct from the battery and the integral starter solenoid is fed by the EWS immobiliser which in turn is fed from the ignition switch which is fed by a fusible link.
I am willing to stand erected though as I have only been involved with two.

Well that's the joys of not having a wiring diagram, lrcat describes the relay as starter...

So you're telling me that the starter relay isn't, it's the glow plug relay, and the big solenoid on the starter motor is fed direct from the over priced rotary switch on the underside of the key?

If so, does position 3 only feed the starter? I can see a big red push button going in !! Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic48178....ion+switch
Have a look at the description on the above thread, might be a wiring diagram as well.

http://www.super7thheaven.co.uk/wp-content...k-2001.pdf
I would check if power is getting to the starter solenoid first to rule out the starter motor or solenoid