WH GC wouldn't start until hard pressing brake pedal

[Shane001]

2006 WH GC Diesel.

Pulled up at a very busy fuel station this afternoon and once I'd made it into the actual servo decided to shut her down while I waited for the 3 cars in front.

When I went to start it again a few minutes later, nothing. All lights on dash OK, just a single dull click when turning the key to run, but no start. Tried moving the shifter in and out of Park and Neutral, still no start.

Of course now I've got impatient morons blasting their horn at me!!

Got a couple of guys to help me push it to the side out of the way and called NRMA.

While waiting continued to try starting it, as well as checking codes with JScan.
Battery is new only a few months ago so I knew it wasn't that.
Seemed to me like maybe it wasn't picking up the car was in park.

Anyway after about 20mins of fucking around trying to get it to start finally it started after holding down the brake pedal hard.
Turned it off again to see if I could now restart.
Again wouldn't restart until I held the brake down hard.

Decided to drive it home rather than risk it not starting again after filling up.

Got home, turn it off and restarted a few times, each time no problem.

Just did a bit of a google and found a thread talking about later model Jeep but similar problem. Apparently if the brake booster loses pressure this can happen?

Now I did have my foot on the brake pretty much the hole time I had the engine off waiting my turn. So could this be the problem?

Anyone else have this happen before?
Is this a known thing?

Hopefully that's all it is otherwise I guess I'll have to start replacing sensors...

[Amused2Death]

I know the post is 7 months old but same vehicle and similar problem. Drive for more than 8k and it won't restart until it has sat for 40 mins+.
Have changed the electrical switch attached to the ignition with no luck. Every thing else electrical works fine, starter has checked out ok as well as the battery which is fairly new.
Next time I will try moving the shifter and or pressing on the brake pedal to see if anything makes a difference.
Ambient temp seems to affect it, I can drive to work in the morning and if i go back to the jeep it will start. Coming home in the afternoon when it's much hotter and it plays the waiting game again.

[Shane001]

So this turned out to be the starter motor slowly dying...

Had it happen a few more times intermittently over a few months, each time it would eventually start.
Then had it happen again at the same fucking service station lol. This time would not restart.
Had called NRMA while I was trying to restart. Experienced NRMA guy immediately suspected the starter motor.
Apparently as they get old and wear, when it's hot the metals expand and the gap is too big for the solenoid to engage or something, can't remember exactly.
Anyway he gets a gallon of water out of his ute, a long hose and a funnel.
We pass the hose down to just above the starter and slowly poured a gallon of water over it to cool it.
Went to start it again. First turn no start but sounded like something moved. Second turn started straight up.

I replaced the starter motor the following week and haven't had the problem since.

So anyone experiencing a similar problem, it's your starter motor internal wear that is causing this. Time to replace the starter!

I did mine myself and what a massive pita job it was lol.