97 Disco PLEASE HELP!!

L

Long Duck Dong

Guest
Hello Everyone,

I'm new to your forum, but not new to the Land Rover. I have owned 2 in the past and this is my 3rd. I bought the truck at a local dealers auction and it is having a few issues that I need help with, please see below.....

1. When I got the truck the serpentine belt had been replaced but routed wrong and the battery would never get a charge. I got the correct belt routing on roverparts.com and changed the routing of the belt. Prior to changing the routing of the belt the truck drove fine until you got the RPM's up, it would then act like it had no electrical power (or not enough electrical power) and the rpm gauge would come on and off, lights would go dim and so on. After re-routing the belt the RPM gauge never died again, but the truck is acting like it is misfiring and backfiring through the airbox....almost like a cough....This only happens when the truck seems to be warm. The truck has sat in the garage for an hour and if I fire it up it will run fine until it get relatively warmed up and then the problem come out...

2. The truck has been named "The Exxon Valdez" by my wife, on its first night home it must have leaked a quart of ATF fluid out of the front drivers corner. Looks like it is coming from the power steering, but then again I read on roverparts.com that it is the transmission cooling lines??....If it is the transmission cooling line, how hard is this problem to fix?

3. The service engine light is on, how do I turn it off?

4. Anti-Lock light on...any suggestions?

The long and the short is this things is beautiful, paint is awsome, everything else is perfect....which is why I want to fix the issues it has. Unfortunately I live in Rural Alabama, where I cant trust any mechanic....There is one guy who works on my Porsche, who reams me everytime I take it there who I might have to use unless any of you have any suggestions....

Thanks in Advance....

Steve
 
A

apg

Well-known member
Dec 28, 2004
3,019
0
East Virginia
Problems

Can't really comment on the first problem, except to say never go to whoever rerouted the serpentine belt. Sounds like the alternator was running *backwards* :eek:

As to the next issue, check the hose clamps on the bottom of the power steering reservoir. Rover used some really crappy ones and a couple of new clamps might fix things.

The "service engine" light is basically a timer or service reminder. Programmed to come on at about 55k and 110k miles. The earlier vehicles could be reset with a paperclip, but the '96 and on (serpentine belt) needs a date with Testbook. Not sure if a code reader clone like OBD-II can reset the 'service engine' light like it can the 'check engine' light.
 
DiscoJen

DiscoJen

Well-known member
Aug 27, 2004
3,652
0
54
The Lou!
97 Service Engine Light

If you've got the red service engine light it can be reset on a 97 by yourself. It's on the passenger side - remove the right side kick panel. You'll see a small ugly brown plastic rectangular shaped thingy with a Land Rover sticker on top of it. You can either remove it altogether and never be bothered again, or you can stick a paperclip through the label (there is a hole underneath it) and activate the reset switch inside. Probably not proper terminology being used, but that's basically the jist of it. I have a 97 as well and I'll never be pestered by that ugly red light again... :)

Let me know if you need more help finding it and I can probably email ya some pics.

Jen
 
T

Thomas1968

Well-known member
Oct 19, 2004
179
0
Canada
I can't say for sure on other Disco's but I know on my 96' you can reset the "service engine" light (usually red in color) with a paper clip. (did it, done it)

http://www.discoweb.org/reset/index.htm

I'm pretty sure 97' is the same.

However......if it's the "Check Engine" light (usually amber in color) it's a different story. It lets you know the trucks' computer has stored a fault code (ie. something wrong with your truck). These codes can be read and cleared with most OBDII compliant readers (relatively cheap at auto shops). But.....make sure if it's this light that's on that you get the code(s) read and you investigate the problem. (and fix it).

As for the "cough" maybe reading the fault codes will give you insight into the problem. (although not always)

Good Luck!
 
P

Porter

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
124
0
Problem 1 is a bit hard to diagnose. You can try cleaning the stepper motor. It may be clogged, and with the choke on, there's enough fuel but as soon as it warms up - there may be a problem. Outside of that, it could be a number of things.

Problem 2 is most likely the power steering pump like APG stated. Its probably red becuase the power steering pump uses ATF fluid. Actually, its the resevoir connections that leak. Go to the local hardware store and replace all the factory clamps with standard hose clamps. There are two connections below the resevoir that leak a lot, and then also replace the ones at the pump. Don't tighten them too much as the resevoir connections are only plastic.

Problem 3 is the easiest. look in the "tech" section for "resetting the engine service light". It was done on a 96, hopefully its the same for your setup. Again, like APG stated, its a timed service reminder, that's all.

Problem 4 may be easy. Try re-seating the ABS sensors. Do a quick search here and you'll find previous posts. Its easy. Took me a total of 5 minutes with a pair of pliers and a hammer. 9 times out of 10, this is the problem when the anti-lock light comes on.
 
L

Long Duck Dong

Guest
Hi Again,

I first want to start by thanking all of you for your responses...WOW that was quick! .......OK, I read a few other threads to try to resolve problem #1, and I thought I would try plugs and wires....it may have needed them anyways??!!?? No luck, but I know it is a power related problem now.....

Today I had a new cd player installed in the truck and when it does its coughing, misfire, loss of power thing the radio turns off....so I'm thinking it maybe a power problem....Now I read that the trucks have ground problems??...But would it effect the truck this bad?? The odd thing is after putting in new plugs and wire the problem seemed to get worse.... :eek:

Now you suggested the stepper motor? what is the stepper motor and does anyone have a pic and can tell me where to locate it? Not that is helps, but the truck does have 145K miles...

Thanks, Steve
 
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L

Long Duck Dong

Guest
Now I'm really getting worried.....took the rover out for a spin after replacing plugs and wires, the problem is WAY worse. A short trip the the corner mart and I almost didnt make it home.....acts like it is running on 5 cylinders. Got it home popped the hood and had one wire off the coil pack. Plugged it back in fired it up, ran for a second....died...

Sheesh....I'm almost at the point where the B/F'ing (Butt F**king) from the Porsche (Import) mechanic is sounding pretty good....I mean I just want to get this thing on the road.....grrrrr

Thanks, Steve
 
M

MarkP

Well-known member
Apr 23, 2004
6,672
0
Colorado
I'll have to agree with Joe. If it runs fine cold but gradually wants to stumble and stall as it warms up it's may be the air/fuel at that temperature. When the engine temp goes from cold to warm the ECU changes the air fuel mixture from richer to leaner. If a sensor is not sending the right data to the ECU the engine will eventually be running on the wrong mixture and not run very good. When replacing the belt did you nudge a sensor or fracture a wire? You might try unplugging and reinstalling all the electrical connectors on top of the engine and also the MAF. Sometimes a bad electrical circuit can be temporarily fixed that way.

Another possibility is the coil pack. Coils have been known to act flaky when they warm up. Make sure you have a good spark at the plugs.
 
S

Silly_me

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2005
95
0
MarkP said:
Coils have been known to act flaky when they warm up. Make sure you have a good spark at the plugs.
Click to expand...

I second this. It sounds like you are missing, and saying that it only got worse after you changed the wires and plugs makes me think perhaps the coil...? A missing fire/back fire will most certainly throw a code to set off the CEL, it can also run havoc on your cat$$$.

My disco started leaking ATF from the shaft on the steering box (where the drop arm connects). Stick your head under the front and have your wife turn the wheel to lock (disclaimer: with ****** in park, hand brake on, and foot on brake pedal :D ) with the truck running and see if it starts spewing ATF from there.

I hate ABS so I would look to it's malfunction as a blessing :D
 
Ronnie

Ronnie

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
331
0
54
Montgomery, AL
Steve, where are you located in Alabama? As stated there is Boddiford's in Mobile, there is a dealer in B'ham (although I've heard they're expensive), there are at least 4 shops here in Montg that work on Rovers although none have Rovacom that I know of. For your problems Rovacom would be nice but it doesn't sound necessary. If you need someone else to track down your problems just find a reputable shop as most of your issues sound non-Rover specific although very Rover common...
 
L

Long Duck Dong

Guest
Ronnie,

I live in Albertville which is about 70 miles NE of B'ham, and 40 miles south of Huntsville off Highway 431. I called Matt at Bodifords, and I wish it was feesable to move the rover there to have him fix it. Unfortunatley its looking like my rip off artist Porsche mechanic will get me again on my Rover, unless Huntsville has a Rovacom....but who knows....I was about to call them.

Ironically I retraced my steps from last night, putting the old wires back in the truck and nothing....it will barely run at low rpm, but if I can get the rpms up above 2K it will run until I floor the pedal then it dies....but with a little pedal it will run...Battery is dead now and my patience with the "Do It Yourself" thoughts are wearing thin....lol

I hate to send it to the Porsche guy, he nailed me for $700 to fix my A/C in my Porsche 911, claimed it blew ice cold....picked up the car and the A/C has still never worked....??..If you guys have any shop suggestions in Northern Alabama other than the Huntsville dealer please please please let me know.....I think car dealer service shops are the human version of slot machines, if you know what I mean....

I have had the longest two days with this thing and it has cost me more money to "DIY"...B.T.W. last night I backed it out of the garage, the passenger mirror hit the garage track and when I went to close my garage......it fell off the tracks and on the ground.... :mad: .....frustration frustration....Hey at least it is almost friday right??

Thanks Again Everyone....
Steve
P.S. When is there gonna be a wheeling event around here?
 
Ronnie

Ronnie

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
331
0
54
Montgomery, AL
I don't go to Huntsville often so I don't know any repair shops up there. There is someone on this board (Timmy) that lives in Huntsville so he may know of a shop other than the dealer. You should also check out the www.solaros.com website. It's a bunch of Rover owners based out of Atlanta and they normally go on trail rides about once a month or so.
 
L

Long Duck Dong

Guest
OH BOY!!

Just called Huntsville Land Rover and talked to the service dept. It was actually a girl who answered and when I asked if they had a Rovacom, she didnt know what it was.....grrrrrrrrrr.......

I'm not feeling too good about this now....

Ronnie...I love your avatar picture of your Disco up to the hood line in water....I had an Hummer H1 a few years ago I tired to do that in once....ended up costing me $6000 for a transfer case, brakes and a few other misc broken items not to mention I ended up buried in a 6 foot sink hole....but DANG it was worth it....the experience, not the H1 (overated)..

Steve
 
L

Long Duck Dong

Guest
Hello Everyone,

I finally had enough, my patience has gotten the best of me and I sent it to the Porsche Guy......Hopefully he will get it going without bending me over.....

On the lighter side, I stopped by his shop to make sure the truck made it there ok and guess what I saw....Another D1 there, same year, same mileage, and even same color as mine....WOW..I'll keep you posted on how it goes....

I found out my huge leak was coming from the steering gear box, anyone have a place I can buy a remaufactured one at?

Thanks, Steve
 
DiscoJen

DiscoJen

Well-known member
Aug 27, 2004
3,652
0
54
The Lou!
Long Duck Dong said:
OH BOY!!

Just called Huntsville Land Rover and talked to the service dept. It was actually a girl who answered and when I asked if they had a Rovacom, she didnt know what it was.....grrrrrrrrrr.......
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know the feeling. I called the service department here in Tampa and a GUY answered the phone and didn't know what swivel pins were.....grrrrrrr ;) It's ok, I rolled my eyes at the phone and hung up on him so I showed him! LOL :p

Jen
 
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