Another Tale of Terrano Starting Woes

nimbinbid · 29-03-2022, 13:06

Hi all,

sad to say I only stop in here when something needs fixing, but there you go.

For the last few months m 1999 TDi would intermittently start by key, with no sign of life at other times. Changed the switch behind the ignition barrel. went well for a while, then the problem surfaced again. We've just gone through some record flooding here in Aus and it's still raining, so was happy to have the local workshop look at the problem.

A new battery and starter motor later, imagine my disappointment at having to clutch start the old girl backwards out of the workshop. At least I also had the option of a lead from the pos terminal straight to starter. Not ideal, but great when there's no convenient slope to [park on.

Got a break from a neighbor today. He's a retired electrician and was able to trace the fault back to the ignition switch connector behind the barrel. Jiggling the connector while the key is in with ignition on seems to do the trick. Packed up at that point when the rain set back in. Back to work tomorrow, all going well with the over night rain and was wondering if I should look for another switch online or assume that just crimping the spade connectors might do the trick?

solarman216 · 29-03-2022, 17:27

If you have changed the switch for a new one then check the crimp terminals on the wires, if it was a used switch then it probably has the same fault as the old one, new switches can be had on Ebay very cheap, Rick

nimbinbid · 30-03-2022, 01:44

Hi Rick,

Thanks for getting back so quick.

Switch was new from ebay, guess I have to trust that it's ok. Would have checked crimps on connector yesterday but for the rain. 4 to 12 inches later, it's still raining. Hopefully I'll be able to get onto this again in a few days. Sure would be great to get this issue sorted with a simple fix like crimping the terminals. cheers, Roy

Banshee · 30-03-2022, 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by nimbinbid

Hi Rick,

Thanks for getting back so quick.

Switch was new from ebay, guess I have to trust that it's ok. Would have checked crimps on connector yesterday but for the rain. 4 to 12 inches later, it's still raining. Hopefully I'll be able to get onto this again in a few days. Sure would be great to get this issue sorted with a simple fix like crimping the terminals. cheers, Roy

You not got windows and doors on the rig?

Fez_uk · 31-03-2022, 08:44

The new switches on ebay are crap I think.

My friends failed within months, although he suspected it might of got damp. Anyway worth keeping in mind.

nimbinbid · 01-04-2022, 04:14

Hi there,

I mucked around with the connector today (yay, the sun's out again) without improvement and am concerned that I might make things worse and end up stranded, so I've decided to book an auto electrician. Thankfully, after two 1 in 100 year floods within a month, there are still some auto electricians in business. Feels somewhat defeatist but what with second guessing the current condition of my eBay switch I feel ready to have another mind look at it. Thanks for the suggestions etc.

solarman216 · 01-04-2022, 22:57

You can prove the switch by pulling the connectors off the back and using link wires to simulate the switch operation, if it turns the motor without fault then it is the switch if it still plays about it is a connector some place else, if you want to know the wires to connect let me know and I will look at a switch tomorrow, you only need to connect power to the ignition and flash the start wire, the rest have no significance re the starter, make sure the key is in the barrel or NATS will complain, the ignition needs to be on as there is a relay between the switch and the starter, if you want to find the relay pull the wire off the starter then you will be able to hear the relay click, Rick

29-03-2022, 13:06	#1
nimbinbid Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Australia, NSW Vehicle: 1999 Terrano II TDI 2.7 Posts: 52	Another Tale of Terrano Starting Woes Hi all, sad to say I only stop in here when something needs fixing, but there you go. For the last few months m 1999 TDi would intermittently start by key, with no sign of life at other times. Changed the switch behind the ignition barrel. went well for a while, then the problem surfaced again. We've just gone through some record flooding here in Aus and it's still raining, so was happy to have the local workshop look at the problem. A new battery and starter motor later, imagine my disappointment at having to clutch start the old girl backwards out of the workshop. At least I also had the option of a lead from the pos terminal straight to starter. Not ideal, but great when there's no convenient slope to [park on. Got a break from a neighbor today. He's a retired electrician and was able to trace the fault back to the ignition switch connector behind the barrel. Jiggling the connector while the key is in with ignition on seems to do the trick. Packed up at that point when the rain set back in. Back to work tomorrow, all going well with the over night rain and was wondering if I should look for another switch online or assume that just crimping the spade connectors might do the trick?

29-03-2022, 17:27	#2
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,319	If you have changed the switch for a new one then check the crimp terminals on the wires, if it was a used switch then it probably has the same fault as the old one, new switches can be had on Ebay very cheap, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

01-04-2022, 22:57	#7
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,319	You can prove the switch by pulling the connectors off the back and using link wires to simulate the switch operation, if it turns the motor without fault then it is the switch if it still plays about it is a connector some place else, if you want to know the wires to connect let me know and I will look at a switch tomorrow, you only need to connect power to the ignition and flash the start wire, the rest have no significance re the starter, make sure the key is in the barrel or NATS will complain, the ignition needs to be on as there is a relay between the switch and the starter, if you want to find the relay pull the wire off the starter then you will be able to hear the relay click, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

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30-03-2022, 01:44	#3
nimbinbid Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Australia, NSW Vehicle: 1999 Terrano II TDI 2.7 Posts: 52	Hi Rick, Thanks for getting back so quick. Switch was new from ebay, guess I have to trust that it's ok. Would have checked crimps on connector yesterday but for the rain. 4 to 12 inches later, it's still raining. Hopefully I'll be able to get onto this again in a few days. Sure would be great to get this issue sorted with a simple fix like crimping the terminals. cheers, Roy

31-03-2022, 08:44	#5
Fez_uk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mid-Wales Vehicle: Maverick 2.7 - Patrol 4.2 Posts: 5,645	The new switches on ebay are crap I think. My friends failed within months, although he suspected it might of got damp. Anyway worth keeping in mind.

01-04-2022, 04:14	#6
nimbinbid Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Australia, NSW Vehicle: 1999 Terrano II TDI 2.7 Posts: 52	Hi there, I mucked around with the connector today (yay, the sun's out again) without improvement and am concerned that I might make things worse and end up stranded, so I've decided to book an auto electrician. Thankfully, after two 1 in 100 year floods within a month, there are still some auto electricians in business. Feels somewhat defeatist but what with second guessing the current condition of my eBay switch I feel ready to have another mind look at it. Thanks for the suggestions etc.