hi all,
wonder if anyone can give some input please ?
2011 4.4 vogue se TDV8 owned since new, had a few years where during cold weather won't start straight away.
Battery changed again 2 months ago (about 3 years since last one fitted) , wonderful main dealer charged £140 to check + £340 for new battery ! ouch....
thought that had solved the problem, but now cold wearther coming in, is doing the same as last years cold spell, press start button just get a grunt as if battery flat. Have to press 4 or 5 times to eventually get engine turning over & then fires up no problem.

I had presumed was a battery issue, but as that's been replaced quite obviously not.
Is it the starter motor wearing out, getting weak in its old age or issue with heater plugs ?
When it's warm re-starts no problem, it only happens when left for a few days & cold weather and as said sounds/feels like a flat battery, but keep pressing for a few times eventually turns over & starts.

Annoyed the main dealer (grange) hasn't found the fault as I told them what was happening last winter & charged again for a new battery, yet same happening again this year. They seem to be playing the guessing game as I am !

Anyone had the same issue or know what's likely to be the problem ?
thanks,
Rolo

People have found bad voltage drop in the wire between the starter relay and the solenoid on the starter motor, often having a new wire fitted in place of the 5m long, 3 section original wire. Checking the voltage at the starter solenoid while attempting to start is required to confirm the low voltage. The starter relay should be replaced first though in case it is the culprit.

Top tip: avoid a main dealer and find a decent independent LR specialist and never look back.
Where are you located so we can suggest a place?
Starter motors are known issue I believe according to Baltic Blue's Fault History Log for the 4.4
 Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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The failing starter motor usually manifests itself by only giving a click when the button is pressed.

There is a write-up on how to replace the starter.

Mike

Thank you guys, I'm near Swindon, but frequently in Bristol / Bath areas too so any inde suggestions most welcome.

I read on another forum where someone said it can be the megafuse causing a problem and to clean if it's corroded. Any thoughts on that ?

What puzzles me though is it's only when it's cold and left for at least 2 days. & it's not that the battery is going flat over that time, cause when after several presses it does fire up the turn over by the starter is good & strong.
If I re-start during the day, never a problem and usually the next day is also good !
Shouldn't complain I suppose, had pretty much trouble free motoring till now

try this chap, he's pretty good

https://www.cam-tech-landrover.co.uk/ ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

Craig at Cam Tech
Also heard good things about Steve Hill in Bristol Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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thanks, will try one of those at some point ! will try to find time before it gives up for good

My 2012 WM had intermittent bad starting, though it did not seem cold related. If yours eventually cranks and starts fine then it should not be the battery. In my case a quick check at a main dealer away from home showed nothing wrong, but my usual one tested the starter motor, found it prone to overheating and replaced it (exchange basis, they go back to LR for refurbishment and one gets a credit). There were no further problems until I sold it. The starter button is also prone to failure, I was advised if it was not working when pushed in the middle to try pushing in a circular motion round the edge, as maybe a better chance of a contact there.

Starter motors and buttons seem known weaknesses with late 322s. Only Range Rovers since 1988

I have recently take ownership of a 2012 TDV8 4.4. my wife set up the blowers to come on twice a day AM and PM for the school run. we noted that over the last couple of days we would get the click and needed a couple of attempts to get her fired up. now i have removed this setting went for a good drive and it seems to have fixed it.
now as i understand things it takes a little while for the battery to recover from a start up event. i am going to put mine on a trickle charge over the weekend as all my tests on the battery give it a clean bill of health.

what i do know from my TD6 is that the batteries need to be in tip top condition, my next stop will be the cable

Using the toys will eat a battery Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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