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rich585

Member Since: 30 Sep 2020
Location: dorset UK
Posts: 18

Defender 90 Puma intermittent starting.

Just having to rely on our Defener as our main car, a Ford Focus of similar year, decided to quit, due to ECU/Immobiliser issue.

Now the Defender is starting to play up!

Anyway, it's had a starting issue for a few years. Every now and again, there is just a click and it won't turn over.

Usually takes two or maybe three tries and it will fire.

In the last few days, since taking over as the daily driver, it sometimes takes 10 tries to start. Other times, it works immediately.

I have had a quick read on here an see that the ignition switch could be to blame.

I also read somethnig about having a Scangauge plugged in could stuff up the Canbus?

Interestingly I see that the dashboard in the Defender and Ford Focus are very similar and these are prone to cracks forming around the main wiring connector pins. This causes intermittent comms on Canbus to ECU and the immobiliser won't allow the car to start (PATS in Ford speak). While trying to fix the Ford, I checked the dash and saw loads of cracked joints on the PCB!

Not sure if this is likely in the Defender too? On the Ford, the immobiliser LED signals a fault code if you wait long enough.

Anyway, next time it happens I will try the 'whack the dash' trick first and then remove the scangauge. If no change, I will investigate the ignition switch.

Anything else worth looking at?

30th Sep 2020 9:45am

rich585

Member Since: 30 Sep 2020
Location: dorset UK
Posts: 18

Won't start. Just clicks. Intermittent. Takes serveral tries

Just tried a start and got the click of death. Whack the Dash. Started! Hmmm maybe it is the dash connector solder joints....

30th Sep 2020 10:28am

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8026

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

sounds like starter motor solenoid. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

30th Sep 2020 10:56am

rich585

Member Since: 30 Sep 2020
Location: dorset UK
Posts: 18

jst wrote:
sounds like starter motor solenoid.

Except that whacking the dash appeared to clear the fault... will keep trying this to see if it's repeatable. If it is, then it's the dash soldering...

30th Sep 2020 11:06am

roel

Member Since: 08 Aug 2009
Location: Lelystad
Posts: 2039

I would start with the basics.
Is it not the starter solenoïde contacts?

I don't have a Puma so don't know exactly how they are mounted. Roel

1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001)
1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009)
2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts.
2003 90 Td5 (2009-now)

30th Sep 2020 1:23pm

Martin
Site Admin

Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6605

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red

It's a solder issue on the instrument cluster (like your Ford - similar problem).

See https://www.defender2.net/forum/post814212.html#814212

1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top

2015 D90 XS SW

30th Sep 2020 1:38pm

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