Thanks for all the suggestions Folks. It would appear the two most likely culprits will be the starter motor/solenoid or corroded cables.
I’ll maybe leave it up to a local specialist to find out which.
Thanks again.

Baltic Blue wrote:

Both Mpirie Mike and myself stripped failed motors and were gobsmacked by how badly burned the contacts were.
We both fitted new starters and refurbished the old one ready for next time

If I could have found a way into the solenoid on the new starter without voiding the warranty, I might have tried some switch lubricant.

Maybe the extra arcing on the 4.4's is because of a higher demand from a bigger engine on the starter during startup?

Mike

Well i hope mine hold till a nice warm day then i can enjoy changing it  2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - Current
2014 Navara V6 - Gone
2004 Vogue TD6 - Gone
Grand Cherokee - Gone
Discovery V8 (LPG) - Gone
Discovery TD5 - Gone

Mike,
I was more thinking of the contact grease for the old one whilst we both had them in bits, so it would be easy to apply and ready for refitting if it is ever needed.
Mike. G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
V reg 2.5td P38 Rioja red 1999- 2006
53 reg td6 Vogue Oslo blue 2006- 2015
11 reg 4.4 TdV8 Vogue SE. Baltic blue 2015- date.
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56162...tty+affair

Good point Mike,

I was thinking that if the burnt contacts was indeed what made the starter fail, then then application of something to the new starter to stop the arcing in the first place would extend the life of the starter and hopefully avoid another replacement.

Mike

Stripped my old starter motor and as stated previously saw the burning. It is on the live feed side of the starter solenoid so in my mind it suggests the action if the solenoid is either too slow from the start or deteriorates as they age meaning there is time for the current to jump across before contact is made. Could be the return spring is too strong and providing too much resistance to the electro magnet. 2012 tdv8 Westminster arrived Jan 19 gone Dec 23

200 TDi discovery bobtail gone
RR classic v8 bobtail gone
300 tdi Discovery 3 dr gone

I've also noticed a few times the same issue with the starter motor not turning. It always works on the second attempt and this always happens with temp below 0*C.

Do you know if it's possible to change the solenoids or must the whole starter be swapped?

My car has done 200k km. ----------------
2012 - L322 Westminster
QRV @ LA2VSA / DA1AA

I had the dreaded click twice now , so I have got a s/h starter from flea bay ( £25) and stripped down the unit and checked it over and contacts cleaned up and put some contact grease from RS on them , waiting for some warm weather to swap them over. I am putting up with the fear of the 'click' as it is just too cold to grovel around under the car . the Wife's bmw is on standby if needed !

In my case I'll just wait till it happens more often and becomes a potential problem. Don't think these starters are that expensive, might just buy one and have it ready in case of... ----------------
2012 - L322 Westminster
QRV @ LA2VSA / DA1AA

Keep an eye on Opie Oils offers.
They regularly offer 15% discount with free delivery. Or you can get 10% anytime with forum discount.
Cheapest I found.
Mike. G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
V reg 2.5td P38 Rioja red 1999- 2006
53 reg td6 Vogue Oslo blue 2006- 2015
11 reg 4.4 TdV8 Vogue SE. Baltic blue 2015- date.
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56162...tty+affair

Second for Opie Oils that’s where I got mine from, best price and good service 2012 tdv8 Westminster arrived Jan 19 gone Dec 23

200 TDi discovery bobtail gone
RR classic v8 bobtail gone
300 tdi Discovery 3 dr gone

Just a thought. If this is less of a problem with the 3.6 V8, when did Euro 5/6 begin?
Enviro changes to the robust system of fully charging batteries, they only get 80% now.
Might the lower voltage not pull the solenoid with slightly less force, and hence, cause arcing and premature failure?
When my starter began 'clicking' I used a Nobo 150 jumper battery. never 'clicked' when using it.

I have replaced the starter with a new Denso unit and fitted a second battery in the boot.
Fingers crossed so far so good. Forty years of progress. 1972-2012

ikjos wrote:

Do you know if it's possible to change the solenoids or must the whole starter be swapped?

It's only the copper contacts that fail. Unfortunately, replacements are not available, as far as I know.
When the college is back to normal I will try to get some made up.

Agree with previous post though. Would it be worthwhile? Someone would have to try it out to see. Forty years of progress. 1972-2012