1st full day of ownership and it wont start now

coop74

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2015
287
7
Alcoa TN
Ok, i have since i was teens/20s wanted a Land-rover discovery (actually wanted a 1 but bought a 2). As is my practice with a new car i put in a new battery and was going to change the wipers and have all the fluids replaced tomorrow.

So after the new battery install when i get home i am going to familiarize myself with the engine bay. so look around and i notice a loose ground wire which i secured. it is in fact what i suspect is the main ground wire to the battery.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/dSTfa0FcPDNqbLTz1



So now when i start it have power to the whole dash and everything looks good. I always pause at start up to let all the check lights work and see if i get any sweep from the gauges.

When i turn the key to the start position i get one clunk and i loose all power to the dash and everything goes completely blank down to the clock and the overhead cabin light. If i remove the ground from the ground post on the battery this condition will be corrected as soon as i reattach it. Again the battery is new and when i run a multi meter on it i get about 12.57 volts. if i leave it alone in about 5-6 minutes it seems to return to power at the dash. I even tried using another car to try to jump start it on the odd chance that i got a brand new bad battery...

Added note, but i dont feel is related when i got home i used the multi meter to check what i was getting from the alternator and it was about 13.5 volts at idle.

Some things i do know, even when i am not getting power to the dash and the interior i am getting power to the fuse box and all of the larger fuzes test as being complete and not blown.

I do think it is odd that negative attachement on my battery atleast has a wingnut .


It was my intent to buy a project vehicle i just was not expecting it to be the first day. Good karma for me it is sitting in my driveway and not out in the boonies.

What does the brain trust think?
 

Lake_Bueller

Well-known member
Aug 11, 2004
2,105
59
56
Beloit, WI
Is the battery cable loose? My experience with the D2 is that the post clamps just BARELY tighten on the post. I've always need to lightly tap the clamp and then tighten to get a good solid connection. As a matter of fact, I forgot to do that after installing a new battery last week. I had the same experience you're describing.

That's just my experience. But I'm guessing others have had the same issues.
 

Howski

Well-known member
Oct 19, 2009
1,483
209
Alabama
X2 on the battery terminals. Funny enough I had a similar issue the first day I owned my first Rover and a loose battery terminal was the culprit
 

coop74

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2015
287
7
Alcoa TN
An added question please. clearly one end attaches to the negative post. A few inches back there is a little jumper that comes off and goes to the bracket. Where does the distant end attach too?

trying to learn my new rover...
 

Lake_Bueller

Well-known member
Aug 11, 2004
2,105
59
56
Beloit, WI
Coop...

This is your best resource outside of Discoweb...

RAVE Manual

And don't get scared off by all the assholes on this site. They are actually a good group with a ton of knowledge. But learn to use the search and don't ask stupid questions like "what size tires...."
 

coop74

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2015
287
7
Alcoa TN
Coop...

This is your best resource outside of Discoweb...

RAVE Manual

And don't get scared off by all the assholes on this site. They are actually a good group with a ton of knowledge. But learn to use the search and don't ask stupid questions like "what size tires...."

i have downloaded it already. it seems to be a well written resource...
 

coop74

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2015
287
7
Alcoa TN
An added question please. clearly one end attaches to the negative post. A few inches back there is a little jumper that comes off and goes to the bracket. Where does the distant end attach too?

trying to learn my new rover...

FYI, i found out where the other end attaches and have made up that connection but still no joy.
 

coop74

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2015
287
7
Alcoa TN
Ok, i have since i was teens/20s wanted a Land-rover discovery (actually wanted a 1 but bought a 2). As is my practice with a new car i put in a new battery and was going to change the wipers and have all the fluids replaced tomorrow.

So after the new battery install when i get home i am going to familiarize myself with the engine bay. so look around and i notice a loose ground wire which i secured. it is in fact what i suspect is the main ground wire to the battery.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/dSTfa0FcPDNqbLTz1



So now when i start it have power to the whole dash and everything looks good. I always pause at start up to let all the check lights work and see if i get any sweep from the gauges.

When i turn the key to the start position i get one clunk and i loose all power to the dash and everything goes completely blank down to the clock and the overhead cabin light. If i remove the ground from the ground post on the battery this condition will be corrected as soon as i reattach it. Again the battery is new and when i run a multi meter on it i get about 12.57 volts. if i leave it alone in about 5-6 minutes it seems to return to power at the dash. I even tried using another car to try to jump start it on the odd chance that i got a brand new bad battery...

Added note, but i dont feel is related when i got home i used the multi meter to check what i was getting from the alternator and it was about 13.5 volts at idle.

Some things i do know, even when i am not getting power to the dash and the interior i am getting power to the fuse box and all of the larger fuzes test as being complete and not blown.

I do think it is odd that negative attachement on my battery atleast has a wingnut .


It was my intent to buy a project vehicle i just was not expecting it to be the first day. Good karma for me it is sitting in my driveway and not out in the boonies.

What does the brain trust think?


The ongoing saga continues... I know the motor is not seized as i was able to turn the motor using the nut on the front of the crank shaft. even thought this is a brand new battery I have also put it on a charger to make sure it is fully charged.

I also check continuity to the starter case and it appears fine. Is it possible that the starter was not assembled tightly and the starter is some how jammed??? This motor supposedly was rebuilt about 5k miles ago so it should be a good motor..

Any more suggestions on things to check?

I have considered removing the starter heat shield and bridging the gap on the solenoid and see if the starter motor will turn that way. Are there anythings i should know before attempting what is basically a bench test of the starter while still on the vehicle.
 

I HATE PONIES

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2006
4,864
0
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Looks like your battery ground is connected to an aluminum bracket. Try connecting it to steel. Or a bolt that goes into steel.

Are you getting the ms light on the dash?

P.S. don't make us search for your pics.:D
 

coop74

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2015
287
7
Alcoa TN
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Looks like your battery ground is connected to an aluminum bracket. Try connecting it to steel. Or a bolt that goes into steel.

Are you getting the ms light on the dash?

P.S. don't make us search for your pics.:D

That is the end opposite the battery which i found hanging loose when the car would not start. there was a convient open bolt hole at that spot that was just at the cable's length. I now know this is incorrect but i am not sure where the correct position is.


Does anyone have a picture where it should mount or is willing to take a picture of where it should mount. I am pretty convinced that the lack of a proper ground is my issue.

Thanks in advance for replies!!!

Coop
 

AbnMike

Well-known member
Apr 6, 2016
1,218
117
Western Slope, CO
I'm not near mine right now, but find a hole on the body you can reach and attach it there. Scrape paint to get a good connection and see what happens.
 

coop74

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2015
287
7
Alcoa TN
The continuing story...

I ordered a used but good shape genuine negative battery cable. Now
I know where it is designed to attached from the factory. Gave the used part a cleaning and inspection that a hospital would approve to take into surgery and installed it tonight.

Last night i removed the starter heat shield and layed out my plan to remove the starter if the new cable did not work.


Being an old fart i also remember the old days when starters could use a good tap or two if they were finicky so i got an old shovel handle and tapped it a few times. about the 3rd time i heard a click like the bendix retracted all the way.


put the key in her (matilda) and she fired right up like a champ!!!

In closing, does that motor really need that starter heat shield as my arms dont have as many joints as i expect it will take to get it mounted back up without some prime cuss words???


Thanks all for the responses, i think i will like this group.


Coop
 
Last edited:

squirt

Well-known member
Nov 13, 2008
824
13
Los Angeles
Sounds like your starter already took a shit if the bendix isn't operating properly. Heat shield seems like a luxury, given that info.

Experience tells me that you'll be tapping that starter motor more and more frequently until you give in and replace it.
 

coop74

Well-known member
Dec 10, 2015
287
7
Alcoa TN
Sounds like your starter already took a shit if the bendix isn't operating properly. Heat shield seems like a luxury, given that info.

Experience tells me that you'll be tapping that starter motor more and more frequently until you give in and replace it.

I am hunting a replacement now and looking at videos on maint of the starter itself. I think the culprit was the low voltage when main ground came loose. Thankfully in my driveway. :)
 

jims95

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
203
1
Upland, California
Three weeks ago, I installed a new high torque gear reduction stater from British Starters. It starts up much quicker than the original design. It is a little smaller than the original starter, so installation is easier. I am very happy with it.

http://britishstarters.com/Home.html

It was $225.00 from them with free delivery included. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.

I looked at their Ebay store. $215.95 plus 15.95 shipping.
 

KngTgr

Well-known member
May 20, 2005
1,321
14
Fairfax, VA
Three weeks ago, I installed a new high torque gear reduction stater from British Starters. It starts up much quicker than the original design. It is a little smaller than the original starter, so installation is easier. I am very happy with it.

http://britishstarters.com/Home.html

It was $225.00 from them with free delivery included. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.

I looked at their Ebay store. $215.95 plus 15.95 shipping.

I had that same starter too, never gave any problems