04 Disco 2 no crank, only sometimes?? Help!

[Dsport]

Hi all,

So my d2 has this strange issue, about every 4th time I go to start it, the key will turn but no crank. Sometimes it will crank on the second key turn, sometimes it will take about 6 turns. But it always ends up starting eventually..This is my primary adventure vehicle and I usually take it decent distances. I’d like to figure this out before it leaves me stranded.

I replaced the starter with a new Bosch unit, and the issue didn’t change. The problem doesn't seem to be temperature dependent. No CEL, remote key fob works and cycling lock/unlock doesn’t seem to make a difference either. Any ideas?

 

[rovercanus]

So nothing happens? Sounds like your Ignition switch.

 

[discostew]

Put a grounding star washer under the battery cable at your starter. Clean that contact and check all your cable connections

 

[Dsport]

I checked/cleaned the connections when I replaced the starter. But it doesn’t hurt to check again.

I was thinking it could be an ignition switch but I’m not getting any other symptoms to confirm this. Is there a good way to check this?

I was thinking of possibly placing a test light on the starter signal wire. This should tell me if I’m getting signal to the starter. It’s difficult because this problem is so intermittent, I almost need to rig up the test light to the driver compartment so I can drive around a few days until I get the no crank problem.

happened today while I was driving with my in-laws. Had to cycle the starter about 10 times, probably looked pretty silly since they don’t know about the issue.