Hi
Yesterday I noticed that my car was ever so slightly 'lazy' when cranking. Very difficult to describe, but it just didn't have the same urgency as normal.

It is a L322 3.6 TDV8 2007. I've owned it for about 12 years.

I'm well used to battery issues over the years. This is different.

My gut tells me that I might be looking at a starter motor issue. Is this a likely issue? Anything else possible? Fixable, or just a replacement?

Many thanks in advance.

Last edited by Always on 20th Mar 2024 1:08pm. Edited 1 time in total

It may be different behaviour but before worrying about anything else, make sure the battery is good - it's not unusual for battery voltage to be fine at rest but drop drastically under cranking when the battery is in less than perfect condition without any other symptoms. 2012 (L322) 4.4TDV8 Vogue SE, RSE, Fuji White over Arabica.
Previous V8s: BMW 645Ci, P38 4.6, P38 4.0, Merc CL500
Previous others: Honda x1, Volvo x7, Rover x6, BMW x6, Ford x1, Mercedes x2, Skoda x3, VW x2, Renault x2, Citroen x1, Mazda x3, Nissan x1, Audi x3, Kia x1, Fiat x4, Subaru x3, Austin x2, Triumph x2, Jeep x2, Hyundai x2, Lexus x1, Mitsubishi x1, Saab x2... and some others I've forgotten!

Sounds most likely to be a battery issue, or wiring related such as a loose battery terminal, dirty battery terminals or a bad earth lead to the engine block.

Starters in my experience either work or don't, I've never personally experienced one which cranks more slowly. Others may come along with a differing opinion.

If it's not battery / wiring / starter, then you're into far deeper water, for example:

* Best case - Blocked air intake or collapsed turbo inlet hose. An engine is just a big air compressor, so not pulling in air freely will make harder to crank on each cylinders' inlet stroke.
* A leaking injector causing fuel to drip into a cylinder, leading to higher cylinder compression pressures, making it harder to crank and possible engine damage.
* A valve timing issues, e.g. exhaust valves not opening when they should, meaning engine is again harder to crank.
* Issues with the torque converter not spinning freely.

I truly hope it's just a battery or battery / earth lead wiring. Get it tested.

Jon 1992 RR Classic 3.9 efi Vogue
2014 Disco 4 HSE
===================
Both my fatties now gone...
Previous: 2011 L322 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE /// 2002 L322 4.4 V8 HSE /// 2009 Discovery 3 2.7 TDV6 XS /// 2004 Defender 90 TD5 /// 1993 110 V8 Snatch Landrover /// 2005 Discovery 3 2.7 TDV6 SE (Aus) /// 1990 110 Isuzu 3.9 County (Aus) /// 1976 Series III Trayback (Aus)

I had something slightly similar. My indie replaced a badly corroded earth and that made quite a difference but, as has been said, it could be a number of issues starting with battery and progressing to alternator. John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

OP here.
I've just realised I never came back with the eventual solution... Basically it turned out to be a badly corroded earth strap somewhere under the car. My local indy replaced that, and now is perfect again. In fact it seems better than it was - I wonder if it has been under-performing for a while.

In the interest of full disclosure: I had convinced myself it was the starter that was packing-up, so I changed it (pig of a job), but it made no difference whatsoever!! At least I have a spare starter motor now...