Discovery 97 does not start-need a good mechanic in Central NJ

[lajilana]

My 97 Discovery started to have intermittant starting problems. If it did not start then I leave it alone for 4-8 hours and then it started like a charm. This happened few times over a year. Played with locking-unlocking the car with the electronic key and sometimes with the manual key thinking that the alarm may be shutting the starting system. This also helped sometimes to start it.
Now it has totally stopped working. When I turn the key I can hear a hiss sound as if some relay is kicking in but nothing else makes noise.
From various threads that i read it seem to indicate that it could be the spider unit or a bad alternator. Battery is ok. I treid jump starting also but no avail. I will greatly appreciate any help in providing me with any insight to the problem. I also need to find a good mechanic in the central New Jersey if any one can recommend.
Look forward to your assistance!
Thanks
Laji- Stuck with the landy in Princeton.

[Badger1]

Does the starter even turn when you turn the key in the ignition?

[mac55]

sounds like the ground problem to me!
even the bad terminal in the fuse box under the hood, the one from the battery to the box!~

I had many of those problems, chnaged the battery, alt. tightened the ground connections and the fuse box terminals, so far all is well for a week I think?

[lajilana]

Originally Posted by Badger1

Does the starter even turn when you turn the key in the ignition?

No it does not. There is just one or two clicking noises.
Yesterday I opened up the dash panel looking for the Spider unit as someone indicated that bad solder joint on this unit could bea problem. I can not find this unit. Do you know where this unit is located on a 97 model and what it looks like, size etc?
Thanks
Laji

[lajilana]

Originally Posted by mac55

sounds like the ground problem to me!
even the bad terminal in the fuse box under the hood, the one from the battery to the box!~

I had many of those problems, chnaged the battery, alt. tightened the ground connections and the fuse box terminals, so far all is well for a week I think?

Thanks!
I checked all the fuses, both under the hood as well as inside the cabin. Any other suggestons that would help to at least isolate the problem.
Laji

[mac55]

the terminals in the fuse box could be tight but have corrosion between them.
take them apart sand them down to shinne metal and put them back together!
I had to put a star lock washer in between them to keep good contact.
Also if you notice alot of static on the radio this is another sign of a loose connection!!!!!

[Hank]

When you turn the key, do you hear a "click"?

Do the head lights/dash lights work?

[Badger1]

Have you tested the battery? Have you tested the starter to see if you are getting power there? Check the grounds to see if they are good and clear of corrosion. Hell you could have a bad alternator that wasn't charging your battery and the battery is now dead. Check all the easy and obvious before you start tearing apart your truck.

[Hank]

I'm betting ground as well..