Starting Problems, Blinker problem, and looking for general 1st car advice

843 Views 1 Reply 2 Participants Last post by lowest bidder, Jan 20, 2014

bdweix

Discussion Starter · Jan 20, 2014

Hi everyone,
I drive a 2000 Land Rover Discovery 2 with 190,000 miles. Over the last couple weeks I have been having problems starting it. When I insert the key there is power and the dash starts up, but when I turn it to ignition the car goes completely dead. I then have to go to the battery and twist the ground cable or hit it and try to start it until it works. For the last few days I have been keeping the key in the 2nd position to turn the electrical on, and then turn on the radio and heater to get things going, and then it will start fine. The battery is less than 6 months old and has a good charge, the terminals are all clean, and there are no problems when I drive. Any ideas on where to go next?

Also my front right blinker it out. When I signal there is no light and the dash clicks double speed. I went to replace the bulb and found it was good, but the housing for the electrical line was filled with water. Obviously I think this is the problem but I don't know what to do next. Anyone else seen this?

This is my first car and have had it for almost two years; I love it. I am a highschool student and am willing to try anything to keep it going. Does anyone have any suggestions on things I can do (preventive maintenance) that is fairly cheap and I can learn a lot from? There is so many things that I don't know where to start really.

Thanks for all of your help, this forum is amazing
-Jake

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lowest bidder

· #2 · Jan 20, 2014

What you are describing looks like a bad connection somewhere.

The terminals on the battery may be clean, but they are many other places where there could be a bad contact. Make sure that the connection between the leads and the clamps that go on the terminals is clean and corrosion free, and that the ground to the chassis is also good. Same thing on the wires leading to the starter. Unfasten the connectors, clean and inspect both parts, use a dielectric grease all over the connector, then make sure that you reconnect correctly. Every connection that you inspect like this will be one connection that you'll never doubt again.

If it's all good, then have the battery and alternator tested. Even if the battery is new, it could be bad, for example if the charging system is not up to the task of keeping it fully charged.

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