Can anyone give me an idea as to whether changing a faulty ignition start button is a straightforward DIY job or does it involve lots of pulling apart of facia bits? Thanks in anticipation.

Can't help with the button, this thread may help as it seems there may have been a software update related unless you know it is the button?

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic1725.html

Thanks Taz, I'm trying to cure an annoying intermittent starting problem where sometimes the starter motor just spins without engaging. I don't think it is a software issue. It may well be the gear sticking on the starter motor shaft or a bad tooth on the starter ring but there are a couple of clues that the problem may lie with the button and as it is only a 10 quid part I thought I'd tackle the cheapest and easiest option first. The Main Dealer here in Malaga has been useless and just shrugs and says that as the car always starts perfectly when they have it then there is nothing wrong!

If the starter ALWAYS spins, even if it sometimes it's not engaging, then it's not the button...
It may be the starter solenoid.

Check all connections are tight on the starter motor and be very carefull not to short the conections with the body of the car or you will make some rather large sparks.
If in dought disconnet the battery, but then you will have to reset the windows

Check all connections are tight on the starter motor and be very carefull not to short the conections with the body of the car or you will make some rather large sparks.
If in dought disconnet the battery, but then you will have to reset the windows

Been using your phone again Superspark?  John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

Yer how did you guess jts I often post when at work, on my breaks ofcourse lol

Last edited by superspark on 7th Sep 2012 12:12 pm. Edited 2 times in total

It only does it when it feels like it. I dont write these posts twice you know

It only does it when it feels like it. I dont write these posts twice you know

On know not again

On know not again

Out of interest, what are the couple of clues that it might be the button? I'd have thought that if the starter is turning it was unlikely to be the button. More likely to be the starter engagement mechanism, or solenoid?

I suspect that I'm clutching at straws re the problem being with the button rather than the starter motor itself but I can go weeks without any trouble and then it plays up for a couple of days and goes away again. The symptoms are that I follow the usual starting procedure but on pressing the button there is a horrible high pitched screeching noise and the engine doesn't turn over. Another press usually starts the engine without problem but sometimes it happens two or three times in a row before operating correctly. The noise is enough to turn heads! As it is so intermittent I can't narrow anything down that clears it. Sometimes shifting the auto selector to N rather than P clears it, sometimes a waggle of the steering wheel, sometimes merely pressing the starter button off centre, sometimes simply swearing at it! I don't think it is the solenoid as I would expect a click rather than actual rotation of the starter motor. A dodgy tooth on the starter ring could be it but why then why would it engage correctly after an unsuccessful attempt without any flywheel rotation? I'm thinking that a poor electrical connection at the motor as suggested above might cause a current drop so the starter doesn't spin fast enough...Failing that I'll bite the bullet and replace the starter motor but don't fancy the associated dismantling to gain access.

I reckon I've reached the limit of my mechanical knowledge but hate the thought of putting any money to the LR main dealers here who have been repeatedly telling me all through the warranty period (now expired) that as they couldn't replicate it then the problem didn't exist. Mind you they said the same thing about the tailgate switch which this forums members solved for me in an instant.

If there is a screeching noise when you press the button then it sounds linke the button is working ? 2012 DISCOVERY 4 GS AUTO ORKNEY GREY
2012 FREELANDER 2 SD4 GS AUTO BALTIC BLUE - GONE
2011 FREELANDER 2 TD4 GS MANUAL BALI BLUE - GONE