Vehicle & Technical > Discovery

Won't start - here we go again.....

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davidjmiller:
Ok so my 300Tdi auto Disco won't start again on cold mornings. Had this problem last winter, changed the battery and basically everything was ok. i say basically bacuase although it did not let me down again until this December, it always sounds weak on starting. It did not ever fill me with confidence - even in summer. (In contrast my moaning wife's flaming Clio has started every time immediately since we bought it 8 years ago!!!).

So once again this winter after not being used for a few days over a very cold period the car would not start (I usually cycle to work so it can be left all week - poor thing!!) . glow plugs wer given sufficient time to warm, battery sounded weak and died before it could start. borrowed jump cables from neighbour, hooked to said, very annoying Clio, started amazingly fast.

Three weeks later (today) I'm in the same boat except Neighbour is away for w/e. Battery now flat (just tried to start it with accelerator pressed to to encourage fuel flow). So it seems I have two thnigs to sort out....

(i) Get it started. I have no contingency when it fails so need to buy some jump leads (will cause consternation from Wifey as she does not like to share. Note the full stop :D :D) or some kind of power pack. So, should I buy leads or a pack or perhaps both. If so do I need something in particular (can somebody provide a link please to something they have and are happy with - cheers!) I'm leaning towards the pack as I hate not being sulf-sufficient!!!

(ii) stop it happening again. Reading some threads on here it seems bad earthing of the battery coud be the problem. So if I get a jump lead and temporarily connect it from the negative of the battery to the chassis to provide a second earth and leave it there for a couple weeks to the next cold spell - is that a good idea???

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

Cheers,

David

beast5680:
if its going flat all the time you could have a drain on the battery, my kids used to flick on the interior light in the boot when they were in there which would flat the battery so i disconnected it
could be draining through alternator as well you would need to test it for current draw when the key is off, but saying that if i leave mine for 2 weeks it will be hard to start which is normal for it

william127:
machine mart do a power pack for up to4ltr diesels for £93.94, the only trouble is remembering to keep it charged :roll: mines a sealey that came free with a trolley jack :)

mass199:
Left mine for two weeks over christmas went out to start it and the battery is flat. Also the steering box is leeking.

I don't think they like being sat and not used, it's even worse in freezing weather.

Well that's my opinion

william127:
definatley agree with that mine used to do about 5000 miles a year when my dad owned it, now does 4 times that and never refuses to start,the mecanich comments on it every time he has it :D :D

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