Griff problems

[Ray Winstone]

Hello all,

I wonder if any of you can help me. In the last month or so I have had problems starting the Griffith. The battery is fine and the immobiliser makes it usual whirring sound but then nothing when I try to turn the car over. Sometimes it starts first time other times it will not start. I was wondering whether it is the solenoid. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

And one other query the speedometer on the car has been going haywire (unrelated to the problem above) for a long while. it will suddenly go to 180mph even though I am driving at 30mph. Also the rev counter gave up working a long while ago. ANy ideas as to what there problems might be?

Cheers.

Stu

[Colin RedGriff]

Could be the starter motor but I would also check that you all your earth points are clean and the bolts nipped up- that might also be why your speedo and rev counter are playing up.

[peteA]

when u say the battery is fine...how do you know? Some of the symptoms you describe match what happened to my chim a few years back due to a battery that had packed up.

[Ray Winstone]

The battery is fine as I have tested it. I am pretty sure it's to do with the starter motor.
Thanks for your thoughts.

[2mad]

Have you checked the alternator as it sounds like an electrical fault also check earths battery cells etc.

[PeteGriff]

Hi there, it sounds very much like a starter motor issue to me. I have had similar problems on my Land Rover and other classic cars. What happens is that segments on the commutator become worn or open circuit, if it happens to stop on a bad segment you have poor or no cranking next time, if it stops on good it will crank. Could also be worn brushes inside the starter. Best way is to try and borrow another known good starter and try it. If it is the starter there are many Land Rover outlets that sell the Range Rover V8 starters (in fact I believe it is the same as my 200TDi Defender), pick them up for £70 to £80. Hope that is of some help, Pete.

[walt762]

I wouldn't completely rule out the immobiliser as there are 2 circuits in it 1 for the fuel pump which is the whirring you hear and the other for the starter motor. As is mentioned in here often, next time it won't start thump the underside of the dash hard a few times near the centre console. If this works your immobiliser is on the way out and you need to speak to Carl Baker.

You should also check your 100 amp fuse on the chasis rail near the starter motor.{well thats whre it is on mine}.

Good luck in finding the problem.

[cinquecento]

An easy way to test the starter is put +12v onto the positive side of the solenoid (which is really all turning the key is doing). If it cranks then it could be faulty wiring.. as it was with my Griff.

[Englishman]

Worth connecting the negative terminal manually too. Not had this issue on a Griff but I did on a wedge and it was an earthing issue, not in the positive feed.

[cinquecento]

IIRC (please correct me) the negative is internal.. and is via the starter casing.. so the only wire is the +12v to the solenoid.