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Baz8046



Member Since: 08 Feb 2016
Location: Chatham
Posts: 81

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Rutland Red
Defender let me down for the first time yesterday.
After plenty of trouble free miles I had my first breakdown yesterday.
Just coming back from having the chassis treated by Chris and on the M23 in heavy rain.
All of a sudden the wipers started to go slowly and the the battery light came on closely followed by a loss of power.
Managed to pull over on to the hard shoulder ok but with a lot of smoke from under the bonnet.
I thought at one point she was going to go up in flames but luckily it was ok.
I'm in the AA so after a 2 hour wait for a recovery truck I managed to get home.
My first thoughts were alternator from the symptoms but on closer inspection it looks like it is a dead short in the starter motor or one of the cables.
I'll have a better look later today, at least she is back home safe.



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 Defender Td5 Commercial 2002
Range Rover L322 TDV8 Westminster 2012
Discovery 4 SDV6 Landmark 2016
Post #557623 21st Aug 2016 8:33am
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williamthedog



Member Since: 29 Dec 2012
Location: south wales
Posts: 3441

2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 PU Tamar Blue
Hopefully it will be a simple fix Thumbs Up
Post #557625 21st Aug 2016 8:46am
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mse



Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5038

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Scotia Grey
I assume your earth cables are all ok... Mike
Post #557641 21st Aug 2016 10:12am
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miker



Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1766

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Rioja Red
Friend of mine had a similar issue on a 300tdi. Was the sense line that comes off the alternator output, shorted to the engine block. Check your wiring!
Post #557650 21st Aug 2016 10:39am
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Cupboard



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Corris Grey
Dead short *in* the starter?
Even if there was an issue with the starter why would that appears whilst driving along unless it was an issue with the solenoid?

If you measure the resistance of the starter it will always read as if it's a short because it's such low resistance.
Post #557829 21st Aug 2016 8:14pm
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Baz8046



Member Since: 08 Feb 2016
Location: Chatham
Posts: 81

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Rutland Red
Thanks for all the advice.
I've not had chance to have a look this weekend but hopefully I'll get time during the week.
I'll definitely check the wiring first and see what I can find. Defender Td5 Commercial 2002
Range Rover L322 TDV8 Westminster 2012
Discovery 4 SDV6 Landmark 2016
Post #557889 21st Aug 2016 10:17pm
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Baz8046



Member Since: 08 Feb 2016
Location: Chatham
Posts: 81

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Rutland Red
Just a quick update on this.
After checking the cables which all seemed ok I dropped the starter off this evening.
The top bolt isn't the easiest to get out but with a bit of perseverance it came out from underneath with the right length extension bar.
The starter is burnt out and very crispy inside, I think I was lucky it didn't catch fire.
New one on order from Steve at AF so should all be sorted by next weekend.



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 Defender Td5 Commercial 2002
Range Rover L322 TDV8 Westminster 2012
Discovery 4 SDV6 Landmark 2016
Post #559850 29th Aug 2016 9:55pm
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Cupboard



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Corris Grey
why would that cause a problem whilst you were driving though? I'm still thinking that might be a symptom of another, related problem rather than the cause. Key getting stuck in the start position or starter solenoid getting stuck or something.
Post #559888 30th Aug 2016 7:32am
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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3347

United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
Shocked

Scary stuff, glad you escaped in time! Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197

Self confessed mileage hunter Very Happy
Post #559952 30th Aug 2016 11:42am
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Baz8046



Member Since: 08 Feb 2016
Location: Chatham
Posts: 81

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Rutland Red
Thanks, there was a few minutes whilst she was smoking I was really nervous.
Good point cupboard it could still be a wiring issue.
I think the normal mode of failure is for the solenoid to stick on causing the starter to stay engaged and overheat.
On mine it had caused the starter to short bringing the battery down and causing the electrical issues.
My ignition switch is fairly new but I will check the circuit before fitting the new starter. Defender Td5 Commercial 2002
Range Rover L322 TDV8 Westminster 2012
Discovery 4 SDV6 Landmark 2016
Post #560073 30th Aug 2016 7:55pm
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dorsetsmith



Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: South West
Posts: 4554


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Post #560080 30th Aug 2016 8:03pm
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Cupboard



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Corris Grey
Baz8046 wrote:
I think the normal mode of failure is for the solenoid to stick on causing the starter to stay engaged and overheat.
On mine it had caused the starter to short bringing the battery down and causing the electrical issues.


If the starter overheats and seizes then up until it catches fire it will appear as (or at least so close to that you couldn't tell) a short Thumbs Up
Post #560213 31st Aug 2016 12:16pm
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Baz8046



Member Since: 08 Feb 2016
Location: Chatham
Posts: 81

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Rutland Red
Thanks for the info and the wiring diagram which is very useful.
I think I'll replace the relay as well to be safe as I would hate to fit a new starter and have the same issue.
The ignition switch was replaced with an original one when I put a new lock set on six months ago but I will check it is working correctly. Defender Td5 Commercial 2002
Range Rover L322 TDV8 Westminster 2012
Discovery 4 SDV6 Landmark 2016
Post #560253 31st Aug 2016 2:02pm
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