[simply_sunny001]

guys,

i am facing a problem in my 3.0 L Safari, which is used very less these days as i am a NRI. My brother usually starts it on weekends and sometimes goes for a spin 10-15 kms.

Everything used to work fine, but suddenly on this weekend, it just dint start up.

All lights in console including Glow plugs etc are all normal and so are cabin and other lights.

But it just doesnt take the self and nothing happens after turning the key.

My brother checked all plugs at both locations and everything looks fine.

I am stumped as to what can be the problem as battery is fairly new and all lights are working fine.

Please advise

[neel385]

Originally Posted by simply_sunny001

Everything used to work fine, but suddenly on this weekend, it just dint start up.
All lights in console including Glow plugs etc are all normal and so are cabin and other lights.
But it just doesnt take the self and nothing happens after turning the key.

Had a similar problem with my Indigo. The TATA guys came and tried all kinds of stuff to figure out the issue. They found nothing wrong with the vehicle. Finally we push started the car and that was it. No problems found, and no repeat of the problem till date (2 years!).

[mercedised]

Originally Posted by simply_sunny001

guys,

i am facing a problem in my 3.0 L Safari, which is used very less these days as i am a NRI. My brother usually starts it on weekends and sometimes goes for a spin 10-15 kms.

Everything used to work fine, but suddenly on this weekend, it just dint start up.

All lights in console including Glow plugs etc are all normal and so are cabin and other lights.

But it just doesnt take the self and nothing happens after turning the key.

My brother checked all plugs at both locations and everything looks fine.

I am stumped as to what can be the problem as battery is fairly new and all lights are working fine.

Please advise

It might be that the immobiliser connector is loose. Does the self work? Or just a tick - tick noise on twisting the key? The immoboliser connector is located below the drivers seat. Ask your brother to tighten it. Also ask him is the central locking is working fine with remote.

[simply_sunny001]

thanks for the suggestions guys
Its a LX model so no immobilizer and the turning the key for self, it just silent

will ask my brother again though and ask him to get few people and try the push start if that works.

[Lukeskywalker]

Originally Posted by simply_sunny001

thanks for the suggestions guys
Its a LX model so no immobilizer and the turning the key for self, it just silent

will ask my brother again though and ask him to get few people and try the push start if that works.

I suspect the key cylinder in this case, the contacts inside the cylinder wear off or have carbon deposits over a period of time, hence the contact in the spring loaded start position gets affected. I used to face this problem in one of my earlier cars, you can open the console around the keyhole and check for overheating/melting of wires going into the key cylinder. Use a thick wire and try to Hotwire and start the car. If it starts this way, then you have isolated the fault.

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by simply_sunny001

....
I am stumped as to what can be the problem as battery is fairly new and all lights are working fine.
.....

Please check the battery terminals. They should not be loose and should be clean.
If these are in order, it is possible the battery has run down due to insufficient running of the car. You'd need a voltmeter/multimeter to determine the battery status.

It could be that the starter motor bendix is jammed against the flywheel gear. Moving/pushing the car in a rocking motion (forward and back) can help free it.

[simply_sunny001]

Ok the battery is just fine and no doubt about that.

And there is a click sound when key is rotated.

The push start method will need at least 3-4 people as its parked in innermost parking slot and steering doesnt work without engine running.

Looks like i will have to call Tata Breakdown service if they have that in rohtak.

[smsrini]

Originally Posted by simply_sunny001

Ok the battery is just fine and no doubt about that.

And there is a click sound when key is rotated.

The push start method will need at least 3-4 people as its parked in innermost parking slot and steering doesnt work without engine running.

Looks like i will have to call Tata Breakdown service if they have that in rohtak.

check for starter motor fuse..

[simply_sunny001]

Ok where is it, i guess in the Engine bay >???
if i remember correctly there 4-5 small black boxes there, do we have a picture somewhere ???

[smsrini]

Originally Posted by simply_sunny001

Ok where is it, i guess in the Engine bay >???
if i remember correctly there 4-5 small black boxes there, do we have a picture somewhere ???

when you stand in front of the engine bay, it should be on the right, near the washer tank. a slim one with rubber cover is the ECU, and next to that is a rectangular box with a kink on one side, that contains all the fuses and relays.

[Prowler]

Looks like the starting motor solenoid. If the car is not used much, there is a tendency for the solenoid to get stuck. A good rap on the body of the starter motor with a wooden mallet can help. If it is too much to do for you, you will have to call the TATA breakdown service.

The part No.10 Solenoid Switch may be the culprit. I show the section from the Tata Dicor Service Manual here.

[simply_sunny001]

thats very informative, will ask my brother to do all this tomorrow morning and let you guys know

Many thanks to all of you

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Looks like the starting motor solenoid. If the car is not used much, there is a tendency for the solenoid to get stuck. A good rap on the body of the starter motor with a wooden mallet can help. If it is too much to do for you, you will have to call the TATA breakdown service.

This happens more often if battery is on its way out.
A quick way to fix this is to put the vehicle in neutral, then roll it a bit, and then engage gear. Then do it backwards with reverse gear.
1-2 such movement frees the stuck valve, and the car starts without issue.
If you have 4-5 people handy, put the vehicle in gear and rock back and forth.

[lohithrao]

Noticed a weird sound coming somewhere around the AC belt/compressor area, the sound is something like of a "spark" ( tick, tick) noticed this when the truck is idling.

The technicians replaced the AC belt and the AC idler bearing but that did not help, however when the AC belt was removed/disengaged the sound vanished.

So the next step is replace the compressor and check.

Has anyone faced this issue? any pointers on what exactly maybe the issue?

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by lohithrao

Noticed a weird sound coming somewhere around the AC belt/compressor area, the sound is something like of a "spark" ( tick, tick) noticed this when the truck is idling.

The technicians replaced the AC belt and the AC idler bearing but that did not help, however when the AC belt was removed/disengaged the sound vanished.

So the next step is replace the compressor and check.

Has anyone faced this issue? any pointers on what exactly maybe the issue?

Lohit, Is the A/C Working fine ?

If yes, its simple , Its the Thermostat switch doing its Job Properly. The A/C compressor cuts off ( Klick ) during interim intervals once its achieved its cooling. That is absolutely normal