Discovery dash warning lamps!

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JINX
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Location: Hamilton

Discovery dash warning lamps!

Post by JINX »

Hi there

I recently baught a 1994 V8i disco and i'm not wondering if i've made a big mistake?. The engine warning lamps come on for .... buggered if I know why? The explination mark lamp lights up and the vehicle konks out breifly for a second or two then fires up again.

Do any of you lnadrover gurus know what might cause this? I'd like to fix this and regain my confidence in the vehicle. Either that or I continue to drive my trusty old Toyota again

any info appreciated
Mike
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KiwiBacon
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Re: Discovery dash warning lamps!

Post by KiwiBacon »

You'll need to find someone who can plug into it and see what error codes are popping up.

Anyone in Hamilton with the diagnostics?
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Cloggy_NZ
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Re: Discovery dash warning lamps!

Post by Cloggy_NZ »

I am buggered if I even know for sure what that light means, and I have owned my Disco for a fair while now.
Mine comes on very briefly when I start the car but it goes out before the engine even fires. I think it is something to do with the engine management system. Being orange (and not red) would mean to me it is a warning light only, i.e. safe to drive the vehicle to the nearest service agent for a check over. The engine management has a "limp home" mode I believe and I would assume this light would come on when it is in this "limp" mode. Certainly on my Disco I can start and run the engine with the airflow meter disconnected for example, but it doesn't have the same amount of power which leads me to think when one of the sensors plays up, the computer will switch to a default program to at least get you home or to a garage. Therefore with yours "konking out" altogether I think you can rule out any of the sensors playing up. Probably more likely a bad earth or loose connection in either the ignition circuit (anywhere in between the ignition switch and the coil / distributor) or the computer.
Have you had the cover off in the drivers footwell and checked the plug on the computer is tight?
If you don't want to muck around with it the only real solution is as Kiwibacon suggested and get it plugged in to see if there are any error codes which will at least point to somewhere in the right direction.

I have a problem at the moment where my engine will start and run, but as soon as you turn something electrical on, the engine cuts out (not always though which makes it a bugger to try and find the problem). I think it is moisture somewhere in one of the connectors as it only does this when it has been sitting for a while. Once driven for a bit and out in the sun, it comes allright. Something peculiar about Lucas electrics. (the Lucas 3-position switch - dim, flicker and off)
They are strange vehicles and you either love them or hate them. They certainly have a character and personality you will not find in a Japanese vehicle.
Somewhere else I read that with a Land Rover, if the right front wheel is wobbly, it is probably the left rear wheel bearing which needs adjusting.
1992 Land Rover Discovery V8i, 5 speed, 12000lbs winch, Salisbury rear, 110 front, 65mm spring lift, dents in every panel, Rallywoods pinstriping.
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91Rangie
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Re: Discovery dash warning lamps!

Post by 91Rangie »

If the light is on and stays on it means there is a fault with the system some where.It could be as simple as a loose wire or bad ground as Cloggy has said or a sensor has failed. Being a 94 There is no "limp home" feature in the Lucus Hotwire 14cux system later gems systems had this feature.Some Discoverys came out with a 2 digit EFI fault code display unit under the passengers or drivers seat. If you own and can use a multimeter you can test every component on the efi system yourself
I can supply you with step by step instructions to do this or take it to a dealer or garage with a OBD1 code reader.
To reset the ECU and clear any fault codes present with the key off unplug the ECU wait for 30-60 seconds then plug it back in.
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JINX
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Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 12:00 pm
Location: Hamilton

Re: Discovery dash warning lamps!

Post by JINX »

Hi All

thank you for your info above. i'll take this into account this weekend and have a play under the hood and fuse box etc... checking loose connections etc.. It hasnt done it since writing the post, so may have been loose connections?. Might take the FlukeMeter home from work this weekend.

cheers for your help
Mike
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Storm
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Location: Hot Water Beach Coromandel

Re: Discovery dash warning lamps!

Post by Storm »

Did you sort it out!!! One of my Discovery's did this, it was the fuel pump relay. $25 fix and very lucky it crapped out in the driveway at home lol
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chrome
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Re: Discovery dash warning lamps!

Post by chrome »

i had one of those discos, had the same issue. i thought it ws to do with the airbag system. had to plug in to reset
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