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Joshcank

Member Since: 09 Dec 2024
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 5

2010 Defender 130 Puma 2.4 HCPU Galway Green

2.4 Puma cold starting issues.

Hi folks,

First time poster here, hoping you guys may be able to shed some light on an issue I’ve been having for a while. I’ve trawled the internet for someone experiencing similar issues but always come up short.

The issue appears to be worse as the weather gets colder. Summer time, it disappears completely.

So, ignition on and wait for the glow plug light to go out… the car will crank at a slower speed than normal until eventually it dies out like the battery is completely flat. The colder the weather, the more times you have to cycle bust mostly second attempt and it will go. Turn the ignition off and then back on, wait for the light to go out again and it will crank at full speed like there’s never been an issue. There’s a plume of white diesel smoke to compliment the starting but I guess this is just unburnt fuel from excessive cranking.

So far it’s had a brand new battery, and I’ve checked/cleaned all main earths throughout the vehicle.

Once it’s fired up, it runs sweet with no strange idling etc. Cranks and starts fine when the engine is hot.

Bit confused as to which avenue to head down next so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Vehicle is a 2010 2.4 130 single cab.

All the best, Josh.

9th Dec 2024 8:08pm

v8bobber

Member Since: 26 Aug 2012
Location: pembrokeshire
Posts: 446

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Java Black

It may be worth taking the glow plugs out and testing them. Even though the glow plug light may come on on the dash it just means that there’s power getting to them but may not be operating

I seem to remember that I changed mine that they were only £50 for a complete set so just did it as a service item. When I tested the old ones there were only two that still worked which I kept as spares

Dave

9th Dec 2024 8:33pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20441

Could be glow plugs, but if there is any sign of lower power in 5th and 6th then possibly consider VCV replacement. $W33T $0U7H3RN $UG4R
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9th Dec 2024 8:36pm

Joshcank

Member Since: 09 Dec 2024
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 5

Glow plugs have been on the list as a potential next option, just tormented by the threat of them shearing off

The VCV was replaced around 5k miles ago after an intermittent misfire and complete loss of power. Although I have read people having issues with new VCV valves off the shelf. It was replaced for a genuine DENSO part. Injector seals were also replaced at the same time.

9th Dec 2024 8:41pm

jim4244

Member Since: 13 Apr 2014
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 803

2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Zermatt Silver

Hi

It may be a fuse or the relay that is causing the problem.

The glow plug light will still illuminate on the dash even if the relay is shot. For the sake of £15 I would change out the relay (under the drivers seat) check the 60amp fuse and check the associated 10amp fuse.

There was a good trouble shooting guide on the forum which, if I remember correctly, Martin had a great deal of input in.

Jim

10th Dec 2024 5:02am

jim4244

Member Since: 13 Apr 2014
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 803

Here's a photo showing the glow plug relay and 60amp fuse.

https://www.defender2.net/forum/post983848.html

Jim

10th Dec 2024 5:11am

mwestcrew

Member Since: 09 Dec 2019
Location: South Warwickshire
Posts: 262

2011 Defender 130 Puma 2.4 HCPU Baltic Blue

Just change the glow plugs. Get a set from Empire tuning, they are about £50.
If the haven’t failed, they will.

My truck was exactly as you have described, new glow plugs sorted it completely. 2011 130 Utility Body
2005 110 Van

10th Dec 2024 6:49am

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17443

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

Re: 2.4 Puma cold starting issues.

Joshcank wrote:
… the car will crank at a slower speed than normal until eventually it dies out like the battery is completely flat. The colder the weather, the more times you have to cycle bust mostly second attempt and it will go. Turn the ignition off and then back on, wait for the light to go out again and it will crank at full speed like there’s never been an issue...

Mine has done this throughout the time I have owned, it is random and not temperature related, and I have no idea what the cause is. I have over time replaced the battery, starter motor, relays, starter switch, as well as checking that all cables are good and all terminations clean and properly conductive, yet it STILL randomly does it. The effect is exactly as though the battery is dying, however it isn't, and waiting for a short while (about the time it takes to get jump leads and a second battery) and the vehicle will start normally. It is very strange and quite annoying.

Sluggish cranking can only really be caused by a fault with the starter or starter circuit, or a partially-seized engine. I don't see how the glow plugs, fuel system (or anything in the fuelling circuit such as the infamous VCV) can have any bearing on sluggish cranking.

10th Dec 2024 8:39am

MK

Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2420

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White

A delay in firing the engine is related to a faulty camshaft position sensor. Check the battery health and its specs are up to the job. Puma 110" SW

.............................................................
Earth first. Other planets later

10th Dec 2024 11:41am

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20441

Makes me wonder if the Crank Position Sensor is the reason for a lot of this.

The trouble is, I’m not keen on replacing parts unless they really need to be.
The trouble is with that, a few of these things can give troublesome symptoms but you live with it, rather than how it should be.
That’s especially problematic if they don’t produce a DTC, but they aren’t operating as efficiently as they should do.

So for example you could have a part, where if it’s not working as efficient as it should be say at 80%, for a long time.
It might only trigger a DTC if it reaches 50% efficiency or lower, it could stay just above that threshold or a bit higher as far as what the ECU sees for years.

Similar applies to the CHT Sensor as well, if it fails it can run that bit more rich even when up to temp on fuel, there should be a DTC if it fails completely but it’s efficiency could be lacking.
You would only be able to tell those with some resistance tests etc depending on the part, but you’d need the new parts to know the readings that you’d expect to see.
LR don’t document that, that I am aware of, but new parts, will of course tell you if they are used in the correct way, but again unless installed you won’t always get the real world readings.
So depending on which specific part, it isn’t always that easy to see the difference. $W33T $0U7H3RN $UG4R
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10th Dec 2024 6:31pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17443

Re: 2.4 Puma cold starting issues.

Joshcank wrote:
... the car will crank at a slower speed than normal until eventually it dies out like the battery is completely flat...

This ^^^ is not due to the CPS or glow plugs.

10th Dec 2024 7:09pm

Joshcank

Member Since: 09 Dec 2024
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 5

Re: 2.4 Puma cold starting issues.

blackwolf wrote:
It is very strange and quite annoying. .

This statement sums the problem up perfectly, there seems to be an answer which rules out almost every possible cause. The problem doesn't seem to get any worse, to the point of complete failure, it is just more persistent in cold weather.

I'll definitely swap out any relays that are involved in the starter circuit. At just under 90k miles I guess it wouldn't hurt to have a fresh set of plugs anyway as I have no record of them ever being swapped, this will only help the situation. After that I guess its on to the starter motor.

I am dubious about swapping the starter motor, as it will spin a red hot engine over without any issue what so ever.

All suggestions are very much appreciated.

10th Dec 2024 8:05pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17443

I swapped the starter because the solenoid and the motor were the only things I hadn't changed. It didn't achieve much!

Changing the starter on a 2.4 is not enjoyable.

10th Dec 2024 10:45pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20441

Just getting near the starter isn’t fun, that’s for sure.

$W33T $0U7H3RN $UG4R
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11th Dec 2024 1:24pm

spudfan

Member Since: 10 Sep 2007
Location: Co Donegal
Posts: 4703

Get someone else to do it, sit back and watch them do it with a smile on your face! It will come at a cost though..but worth it, especially if do not have access to a lift or a ramp

1982 88" 2.25 diesel
1992 110 200tdi csw -Zikali
2008 110 2.4 tdci csw-Zulu
2011 110 2.4 tdci csw-Masai

16th Dec 2024 11:33am

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