Hello,

My apologies if this has been asked before, I've tried combing through the existing posts but I can't seem to find this particular circumstance.

I have a 2011 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 with 163k. I've had it for three years with relatively little issue however it has developed an intermittent but persistent issue starting.

I unlock as normal, push the button for accessories, press the brake and push again to start and nothing, the car seems to think it is running however there has been no firing/turnover, total silence. Hold the button down for a good 20 seconds and it seems to realise something is wrong and pops up a brief error message that disappears as soon as the button is released.

This has happened maybe five/six times since April when the car went into my local garage for its usual service and I asked them to change the starter motor since it was doing something similar to the above but was "clicking" and would eventually start by either holding down the button for a few seconds or trying 2/3 times, I didn't want to get caught out by it failing completely.

Now it will work absolutely fine for days/weeks at a time then all of a sudden die with no prior warning. The strange thing is if it is left for 20/30minites after it fails to start it will fire into life no problem and run perfectly happily until the next time it decides not to.

Just for info in case it is relevant it had a brand new battery in June, terminals are clean, both key fobs have new batteries too.

If any one has any ideas where the problem lies I'd really appreciate it, even if it was just a pointer as to where I should be looking as I'm a bit stumped as is my local garage.

Cheers

Thinking back to previous threads, 2 things spring to mind.
1] Earth points, I believe [stand to be corrected as per norm] there is more than one from the battery to ground?
2] stop/start push switch has known to fail?

That's as far as my mind can go at this time of day...sorry!  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

Amazing, thanks, I'll have a look at the earthing points to begin with, I just need to find them!

Easy way is to make up and fit an extra earth lead (& 12V+ to starter) to see if it fixes your problem then at least you know where to start looking for your fault

As Fox889 says, the starter buttons have a history of problems too. The suggestion to me was to try pressing round the sides of the button rather than just in the middle in case there was a better contact point. On my 2012 WM the intermittent starting problem began without a clicking sound when one pressed the button, and the button was then the suspect. It progressed to clicking and then change of the stater motor solved the problem. Only Range Rovers since 1988

Degrading electrical contacts and relays can be expected on high milage cars and likely the root cause, I am coming out the other end with mine.

Much like you, I had starting issues. I replaced starter, alternator, starting switch, brake switch with no joy. That said, the car did start with fully charged battery.

I suggest you make some basic checks:

Voltage:

at battery
at starter relay/coil
at solenoid

Resistance:

at ground to CJB
between battery +ve and starter (mine currently has @ 1 Ohm which I will further check)

between battery -ve and body

If the car starts reliably with a fully charged battery then great, make sure the charging system is good then clean electrical contacts and such in the starting circuit. Also swap the starter relay in the Engine fuse box (few are same but some less used) for good measure.

I also added a second battery to give it more headroom, I think these cars are crying out for a second battery TBH SOLD | Tuned MY 2011.5 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 TDV8 Orkney Grey | e-diff | ACC

New Toy: Unimog U1550L/37
New : G350D

Fitting a second battery certainly gave me peace of mind.
Always plenty of energy in reserve as my Westie may not be used for weeks on end.
(A new pair of Varta 019 AGMs) Forty years of progress. 1972-2012