Hey guys, my 05 D4D has just started making a strange grinding noise when trying to start. Its the kind of noise you'd hear if you tried to engage the starter while the engine was already running. After a couple of goes it will start.
First thoughts were starter solenoid or just the starter motor itself but it only started happening after we arrived in the snow and temps in the morning are around -4. Combined with this the central locking system for the canopy which operates off the starter battery has become unreliable at the same time. Battery voltage is down to 12.1 in the mornings which makes me think it all may be down to a weak battery with not enough grunt to engage the solenoid properly. As Im about 1500ks away from home I cant go swapping batteries easily so appreciate any thoughts