98 Disco won't start ...... AGAIN!!!!!!

[agbuckle98]

So I've been through this no start thing quite a few times with this truck, now I have yet another version of the no start. This all started after a car wash in my garage this morning, so I'm thinking it has something to do with getting wet, but who knows.

First, there is no CEL at all anymore.

My scanner will still read codes (ABS rough road signal permanently at ground, and MIL circuit open or shorted) I'm gong to go check the bulb as soon as I'm done typing here.

When I turn the key to "start" it waits 2 or 3 seconds, then cranks, starts, dies. Cranking it more does nothing.

It does generate 40 psi of pressure at the fuel rail when turned to "run", and obviously has spark because it will start for half a second then die out. I'll be back with more later, if you have any tips, I'm all eyes. Thanks!

 

[osiristheclown]

Do you mean there is a delay between the time you turn the key to crank and the engine actually starts to crank? If this started after washing it you obviously got water on something that doesn't like to be wet. Could be crank sensor and it's plug/wires, ECU, MFR, possibly alarm unit.

 

[ihscouts]

Nice snag Osiris, I was just going to say CKP. Either the leads to/from ECU or the sensor itself. Put a fan on that baby so it will dry the engine bay.

 

[agbuckle98]

update: I was mistaken, the fuel pump is not being turned on when the key is turned. I did find 2 big wires in the harness that runs under the ecm that were corroded so badly there might have been 1 or 2 strands that still made connection. one wire was brown and white, the other was orange and purple I think, both large 12 AWG wire. I cut out the green parts out, spliced in new wire and checked all the others while I was in there, but none of it helped my no-start problem. Still no CEL at all, but it will keep setting the MIL circuit malfunction code and sometimes the ABS code too.

 

[osiristheclown]

Sounds like you may have gotten the MFR wet. it's right in front of the ECU on the inner fender and contains the fuel pump relay. You probably also got the ECU wet, check to see if the connectors have water in them. While you are at it reset the inertia switch on the firewall.

 

[9dawgs]

My 99 D1 died yesterday at a red light. It acted like it wasn't getting any fuel although there was plenty in the tank. My first thought was the fuel pump. Is there any way I can check this easily without trying to read the pressure at the fuel rail? (don't have the equipment) When I turn the key I do not hear the fuel pump whiring sound. So is that a good indication? If not can I just check the leads going to it for power?

Your discription on the way yours is acting is exactly the same as mine. It will start and stumble for a couple of seconds then shut down. Thanks for any info from anyone.

 

[osiristheclown]

You could try pushing the valve in at the rail, if you get nothing chances are the pump isn't. You can check the pump by pulling the rear trim strip and rolling the carpet aside to access the cover. Pull that and the pump assembly is right there. Power for the fuel pump is white/purple IIRC. Check the ground while you are there. Knowing the fuel pressure first would be a lot more practical than trying to diagnose this by blind luck.

 

[9dawgs]

I checked the fuel at the rail like you said. I did have fuel coming out, it didn't spurt out like in a stream but there was positive flow. I also checked the voltage at the 3 prong connector on the pump itself. I didn't write down the readings but there was voltage present with the key in the #2 position.

I still didn't hear the pump running though when the connector was plugged in and the key was in the #2 position. Anything else to check?

I replaced the crank position sensor a couple of years ago with a new one from AB because of a similar issue. do these things go bad that quick?