Morning All,

My TD6 had developed a strange intermittent non-starting issue and I was wondering if anyone had any thought on what it could be.

I've only had the car for a week or so and the seller tells me that he has never come across this issue before.

When I turn the key, all of the lights turn on and then go out again as they should. No unusual warning lights apart from one of the front sidelights. A quick bump with the back of my fist gets the sidelight to come on so I suspect that's just a loose connection.

Anyway, I turn the key to turn on the engine, the starter motor operates and the engine turns over, but it won't fire up.

I've checked the fuel pump relay and swapped it out for the rear heated screen relay - still no luck. From reviewing various videos on Youtube, it doesn't sound like there's no fuel getting to the engine.

A friend who is quite knowledgable about diesel engines told me that there could be an issue with the battery as the ECU relies on receiving correct electrical signals from the various systems before it will allow the injectors to operate; he did say that this issue would not affect the fuel pump operating. Therefore this might be something to consider. Furthermore, I did allow the battery to fully drain down when valeting the car. It started no problem with a jump from my other car but I wonder whether it could have damaged the battery. I also have no idea how old the current battery is.

My friend suggested checking the voltage across the battery when cranking and that it should be above 9 V. Is this correct?

My other thought was a faulty/worn-out fuel injector, and I was planning a cheap eBay leak back test kit to test them.

Does anyone here have any thoughts on what the issue could be?

Cheers

It's going to be the battery imo, after you've drained it down fully its still not charged enough and just not spinning the motor fast enough to get ignition of the fuel, diesels need the battery to be in tip top condition

This is the same set up as my previous X5 & that girl would start with just one click of the starter.
OK, first off trace back to the flat battery. Charge it up to full capacity & try again, simplest & easiest thing to do.
If you look on one of the battery posts there's normally a date stamp which will give you an idea of age.
Personally, I wouldn't blame an injector, even if 2 went belly up she'd try & fire up......but I could be wrong.
There's a little bit of me leaning towards an immobiliser or fuel cut off issue, I take it you've tried the 'lock it & walk away for 10 minutes" trick?
When you jump started did you do this direct to the battery or has the L322 got the same as the X5 a positive & negative post in the engine bay [X5 battery was hidden in the boot so the only time I jumped the X5 I used the lugs in the engine bay] if you jumped the battery possibly you'd blown/arced a fuse?
If the previous owner said there's been no trouble then look back at what 'you' have done, I think it's something pretty simple.

There's far more intelligent beings on this forum than me so wait a few hours & you'll get some proper thoughts on this rather than the demented ramblings from an ex X5 owner  2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC
1973 Honda CB250 K4

When I had my td6, all fine, no warning at all. Then wouldn’t start and just spun over. Was fuel pump under the passenger sill.

Not related, and years later, it took longer to start on the key. Used to be firsts touch, then a few seconds. Then not at all, just turned. Was 2 faulty injectors. It will start fine with 1 faulty.

Hope this helps.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Sometimes, if it’s the side fuel pump, you can get it going by giving it a wack. 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Thanks for the responses so far.

I didn't try the lock and walk away method, sod's law was that I was in a rush both times it didn't start so didn't have any time to diagnose the issue when it actually occurred.

When I jumped it I used the positive & negative post in the engine bay.

To give a small update, I went and took a look at the battery. Its a Bosch 800A, 95 aH but I can't see any date on it. From looking online this appears to be the bare minimum in terms of battery size for the car and it's reccomended 110 aH and 850 A, so I wonder if that's the issue.

Still might buy the injector test kit as it's a cheap option to check and quite simple to carry out.

I've also got n old BMW code scanner so will plug that in and see if it throws up any codes relating to voltage.

Cheers!

Stupid question time: you have double checked all the fuses? 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC
1973 Honda CB250 K4

To be honest, I’ve not. But would that be the issue if it’s intermittent? Surely if a fuse has gone, the issue would occur all the time?

Although your thread mentions intermittent I assumed it now refuses to start?
If she turns over quick enough (which I assume it does) to start & doesn’t then it’s electrical or fuel? Either the fuel pump doesn’t pump or the electrics won’t allow the pump to pump?
I would try the ‘lock it & walk away’ first followed carefully by checking all the fuses.

In the week you had it has there been a starting problem before or has this only occurred since the battery went flat followed by a jump start?

Old Ford Sierra’s had a fuel pump cut off solenoid in case the car went belly up in a ditch & these have been known to activate when the boot was slammed hard. I wonder if the TD6 has something similar? Just a thought. 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
1975 Morris Marina 1.8TC
1973 Honda CB250 K4

No, it’s still intermittent

I’ll check the fuses when I’m back home to see if there’s anything obvious.

It’s just occurring since the battery went flat.

Is it mostly OK after it's been hot?

More reluctant first thing in the morning when it's cold?

Both times it hasn’t started has been in the morning, but it hasn’t been particularly cold.

Odds on its needing a new battery then

When I had the injector issue, it got worse and worse over a matter of days, then I ended up using easy start when I took it to the garage. Not saying it’s that, but if you find the symptoms match..... worse in the morning as fuel pressure dropped from rail. If it wasn’t long since I turned it off.....wasn’t as bad.

Suppose charging the battery is an easier test.... easy things first and all that.....

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Thanks guys.

My thinking is that if it is a battery issue, the car should start when hooked up to my BMW via jump leads. So hopefully (if it doesn't start this morning), I'll be able to establish whether or not it's the battery.

After that, I'll go and pick up a can of easy start. If it starts with Easystart, am I right in thinking this would lead to an injector issue being the likely culprit?

Last edited by tpeat12 on 31st May 2020 8:17am. Edited 1 time in total