Short lived joy

South Gippy Rover

Active Member
Hi all,
Yesterday my 3500S finally got its rego and plates 14 months after buying her. :)
Apologies for the plate but I couldn’t resist!

B3C18D5A-AB70-4EE8-8237-17BCF908A40F.jpeg

Spent all afternoon driving around having fun and finally enjoying the car.
However, I returned home for 10 mins and needed to go out again so decided to take the P6, popped the key in and....... nothing :mad:
The engine does not even attempt to turn over. I cannot hear the solenoid clicking.
I can however hear the electronic fuel pump doing its thing.

Out came the torch and toolbox.
I have checked the following:
All fuses are sound.
Both battery terminals are tight.
neg battery lead to the chassis tight.
Engine block to chassis earth lead tight.
I have 12v at the solenoid (on the fat juicy lead).
I attached a jump starter to assist the battery in case it was the culprit but still no joy.

My gut feeling in no particular order is:
Starter solenoid.
Starter relay on right inner wing.
Ignition switch.
Battery (unlikely - but left on charge overnight to try again this evening)

Time beat me and I had to stop for the night. I have no shed and am working on the drive.

I will return tonight to carry on.
Any suggestions on the likely cause, remembering that it behaved fine all day and was driving ok until 10mins before it died.

Paul. :(:(:(
 
My vote for starter relay also, happens on the odd occasion to mine as well but give it or 4 tries and it breaks thru the gunge on the relay contacts. Its an easy repair to open the relay and clean the contacts, did mine back in 1987 :rolleyes:

Second option would be the lucar connector on the starter motor solenoid either fallen off, gunged up with oil or detensioned with age and heat.

Graeme
 
Just a quick update.
Unfortunately, work, crappy weather and family commitments have got in the way.
I cleaned and tested the starter relay today and it works perfectly.
Crossed that one off the list.
Also swapped batteries with the one in my reliable everyday car and still the same issue.
Crossed another one off the list.
Smart money is now on the solenoid/starter.
Not sure when I can get back under the car to check. Hopefully soon.
 
All finally sorted - but not by me :rolleyes:.
I just spent 5 weeks over in the UK visiting family (and stocking up on spares).
Whilst away, my in-laws felt very sorry for me and, unbeknownst to me, arranged for an auto electrician to visit.
A previously fitted engine immobiliser was the culprit. This has been removed and she now starts first time. :)
He’s also fixed the non functioning radio which was due to a crappy scotch block connector. Bonus. :):)
I’m now off to buy the in-laws a very large bottle of red. :):):)
Thanks to all for the advice.

Paul.
 
I would buy them a crate not just one bottle, then throw them the keys and take another holiday, when you get back it might have four new tyres and a full tank of fuel.
 
Haha the old "immobilizer that time forgot" issue.

that happened to me several years ago with my Morgan plus 4, I was the new owner of 3 weeks and it had an immobilizer switch fitted under the dashboard.
one day it would not start no matter what I did and I called the NRMA road service. The poor chap spent about an hour going over everything and still could not get it started.
He gave up and wanted to arrange a tow to an auto electrician. I declined his offer at the time , and he left.
The next morning I remembered about the switch , gave it a flick and up she started. No one know about this sad episode in my motoring life, except this forum.
must be the best kept secret in motoring history?
mums the word....shuuush :rolleyes:
Peter
 
Peter,
I was once the proud owner of a Morris Marina.
One day it refused to start and I went through all the usual checks with no success.
At one point I cleaned the rotor arm on the tyre sidewall and promptly put the rotor arm in my pocket as not to lose it.
My brother came to assist and I had him push the car up and down the road in an attempt to bump start the car. After the 3rd or 4th failed attempt I felt something in my pocket....
I didn’t tell him for several days and even now, 25 odd years later, he still mentions it.
 
When I read the original post my thoughts went to immobiliser fault but then thought "it hasn't got one", I should have mentioned it .
Series 1 land rovers have a petrol tap on the filter & I often would turn it off as an antitheft feature and then forget that I had done so, the car would start but only drive 100 yards before expiring. One time I spent some time checking all the ignition before remembering the tap.
 
I used to push the petrol reserve in as a precaution as being a strapped twenty year old the tank was never far off the emergency supply.
One day l ran out of petrol & it was only after l'd walked to the garage with my gallon can, got back & put some juice in then went to push the reserve in which was already in, that l realised what had happened. Doh!!
 
I used to push the petrol reserve in as a precaution as being a strapped twenty year old the tank was never far off the emergency supply.
One day l ran out of petrol & it was only after l'd walked to the garage with my gallon can, got back & put some juice in then went to push the reserve in which was already in, that l realised what had happened. Doh!!
Been there done that.
 
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