Griff won`t start
Discussion
Been out to get some petrol and a nice blast, had a good run and returned and parked it on driveway. Went out to put it in the garage, and it won`t start.
Fuel pump primes OK and then when you turn the key, nothing at all. Dosen`t even try and turn it over.
Tried setting and re setting immobiliser and each time you can hear the fuel pump priming but then when you turn the key. There is absolutely nothing.
Any ideas? Not being very mechanically minded i have placed a call to the RAC as have home start.
Fuel pump primes OK and then when you turn the key, nothing at all. Dosen`t even try and turn it over.
Tried setting and re setting immobiliser and each time you can hear the fuel pump priming but then when you turn the key. There is absolutely nothing.
Any ideas? Not being very mechanically minded i have placed a call to the RAC as have home start.
There's a common problem with the starter motor that produces these symptoms. It seems to be a combination of not very good design in the wiring to the solenoid, and a starter motor that gets cooked by the exhaust heat. If you do end up getting the stater motor reconditioned it's worth fitting a heat shield to extend its life. Mod-wise do an upgraded wiring loom. You may find that either of these on their own may cure the problem, but ideally do both.
In the mean time make sure the battery is kept fully charged, you may find that it starts working when it has all cooled down (the problem is usually worse when it's hot) and if you get stuck it's worth holding the key in the 'starting' position for a minute or so - sometimes it will eventually kick into life.
In the mean time make sure the battery is kept fully charged, you may find that it starts working when it has all cooled down (the problem is usually worse when it's hot) and if you get stuck it's worth holding the key in the 'starting' position for a minute or so - sometimes it will eventually kick into life.
Even with the Mod-Wise kit some cars are just prone to heat soak in the starter motor.
If you know you'll be returning to the car within 10-15mins of stopping, pop the bonnet open before you walk away and you won't get this problem.
Editted to add;
I meant to say that the Mod-Wise kit definately worth fitting. Whilst i still get a slow starter sometimes, since fitting it I've not had the dreaded solenoid click (which can leave it open circuit frying 100 amp fuses and in my case three starter motors in 18 months).
If you know you'll be returning to the car within 10-15mins of stopping, pop the bonnet open before you walk away and you won't get this problem.
Editted to add;
I meant to say that the Mod-Wise kit definately worth fitting. Whilst i still get a slow starter sometimes, since fitting it I've not had the dreaded solenoid click (which can leave it open circuit frying 100 amp fuses and in my case three starter motors in 18 months).
Edited by Bluebottle on Saturday 28th June 14:38
I had the clutch fork problem occur a few weeks ago. It meant driving 60 miles out of open countryside and into town without clutch. No problem until town threw traffic lights, junctions and the like into the mix. Switch off, 2nd gear start up order of the day. Well, night actually. Anyway, this took some juice out of the battery which took several days to recover with the Optimate.
Once I had the clutch issue sorted I went for a burn on what turned out to be a really hot day/eve. Did some sight seeing, by which time I was thinking, is all this stopping and starting throwing a starter motor problem up that I thought I had sometime ago. That's to say, every now and again over the past few months I infrequently get the solenoid 'click' but no starter spinning. I knew the battery was good, so no worries there, and new alternator fitted recently too.
I decided to go with a new starter in the end. With hindsight reading these threads, it seems mine was suffering this hot start trouble is all. Doesn't matter though as a new starter motor is peace of mind for me. So I got a good deal buying off Ebay. I'm in the trade and took delivery of a Bosch starter, which came in at around £120. Yes it was a gear reduction motor, but it was a reconditioned unit. The Ebay starter was delivered for £103 from Universal. I've not heard or come across Universal anywhere. They have a phone number on their Ebay shop, which is always a good start for me. The bloke on the phone gave me all the info. Built in the EC. Modified in the UK. New, not a rebuild unit. 1.7kw (same as Bosch), and a years guarantee. Looking at them side by side I was surprised (and I handle lots of Bosch stuff) the Bosch starter looked the cheaper made of the two (for varying reasons), so I sent the Bosch starter back. I can't make a comparison to how good the Bosch might have been, though the starter that came off the Griff is a Bosch item. Looks like it has the same length in the body to accommodate the gear reduction section, so I assume it is gear reduction. It also has 'Land Rover' stamped in the casting. In use it always cranked like an ordinary starter motor. Rer rer rer rer rer rer rer vooomph, and there was the Griff running. The new unit from Universal, forget rer rer rer rer etc etc. This thing zings. Zeeeezeeeeeezeeeeeurmph vroom vroom. Sounds like a bloody racing car on start up! Still have to check into this Modwise hot-wire thing though. Can't beat preventative maintenance.
Once I had the clutch issue sorted I went for a burn on what turned out to be a really hot day/eve. Did some sight seeing, by which time I was thinking, is all this stopping and starting throwing a starter motor problem up that I thought I had sometime ago. That's to say, every now and again over the past few months I infrequently get the solenoid 'click' but no starter spinning. I knew the battery was good, so no worries there, and new alternator fitted recently too.
I decided to go with a new starter in the end. With hindsight reading these threads, it seems mine was suffering this hot start trouble is all. Doesn't matter though as a new starter motor is peace of mind for me. So I got a good deal buying off Ebay. I'm in the trade and took delivery of a Bosch starter, which came in at around £120. Yes it was a gear reduction motor, but it was a reconditioned unit. The Ebay starter was delivered for £103 from Universal. I've not heard or come across Universal anywhere. They have a phone number on their Ebay shop, which is always a good start for me. The bloke on the phone gave me all the info. Built in the EC. Modified in the UK. New, not a rebuild unit. 1.7kw (same as Bosch), and a years guarantee. Looking at them side by side I was surprised (and I handle lots of Bosch stuff) the Bosch starter looked the cheaper made of the two (for varying reasons), so I sent the Bosch starter back. I can't make a comparison to how good the Bosch might have been, though the starter that came off the Griff is a Bosch item. Looks like it has the same length in the body to accommodate the gear reduction section, so I assume it is gear reduction. It also has 'Land Rover' stamped in the casting. In use it always cranked like an ordinary starter motor. Rer rer rer rer rer rer rer vooomph, and there was the Griff running. The new unit from Universal, forget rer rer rer rer etc etc. This thing zings. Zeeeezeeeeeezeeeeeurmph vroom vroom. Sounds like a bloody racing car on start up! Still have to check into this Modwise hot-wire thing though. Can't beat preventative maintenance.
If you do get into the habit of popping the bonnet when you stop, make sure you pull it up at the screen end at least.
Its a habit of mine to pop the bonnet but on a couple of occasions I've not actually gone round and lifted it - resulting in a fright as I'm driving because I can see the bonnet start to lift.
In fact the bonnet is a good design because there's actually very little chance of it parting company with the car because of the way it double cranks to open.
Still frightens you silly though
Its a habit of mine to pop the bonnet but on a couple of occasions I've not actually gone round and lifted it - resulting in a fright as I'm driving because I can see the bonnet start to lift.
In fact the bonnet is a good design because there's actually very little chance of it parting company with the car because of the way it double cranks to open.
Still frightens you silly though
GreenV8S said:
It's far kinder on the starter motor to use 1st gear. (You may have been thinking of bump starting, where 2nd gear is often best.)
Starting just about any car in 1st gear off the starter motor is pretty much a kangaroo affair. 2nd might be harsh on a starter motor but you'll get a smoother transition when the motor cracks up and drives. You also gain the added benefit of not having to shift from 1st to 2nd without a clutch. 1st to 2nd gear is always going to present the toughest gear change in such circumstances. Not wishing to argue the point, but I would avoid 1st in favour of 2nd most every time in any car. 
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