DiscoII unable to start

[echo63]

2001 Disco II 65k miles. This morning as I tried to start my truck it would not turn over. I suspected a dead battery (and that will be the first thing I address once I get home tonight), although the interior dome light, keyless entry, and windows all seemed to work fine. Last time I drove the truck was on Saturday, and it's been parked in the garage since.

What I did notice in the short time I tried to start the truck (I was late for work, so I drove my wife's car instead) was that when I turn the key to 'ON' position, all the lights illuminate as it should, but if I turn the key to crank, all lights start to flash rapidly in unison with ticking sound. Would a low battery cause these symptoms? If not, any thoughts on whay may be the culprit? Thanks in advance.

Edward

 

[jmoore]

Inertia sensor? (I think that's what it's called) Have you hit any crazy bumps or anything? It shuts off the fuel pump in the event of an accident.

On my truck it's a black button on the fire wall on the passenger side.

 

[neil30076]

If your battery voltage drops below a certain level ( around 10.4 volts) the onboard computer ( ECU) will prevent the starter circuit from operating, and flash the lights as you are seeing them. Have someone with a voltmeter check the volts at the battery terminals when you try to start. If they are less than 10.4, no start! Your battery is probably dry or shot!
Neil

 

[Meisterbr?wn]

The "ticking" noise sounds like a symptom of a dead battery (is it a real fast click-click-click-click?). At least it has indicated dead battery for me on other cars.

If you can jump start it, call around to a few autoparts stores and see if they can test your battery.

 

[rovercanus]

First things first. Make sure your battery connections are clean. Your battery can have a perfectly good charge and if the terminals are dirty it won't start. Clean both terminals with fine emory cloth or you can get a battery terminal cleaner/wire brush.
I'm willing to bet this is all you'll have to do.

 

[echo63]

Thank you all for your great insights. I also suspected a low battery, and will check that first thing once I get home. Cheers.

Edward

 

[Disco Mike]

How about a shot from a different direction. Could be your alarm has you locked out. Try cycling you key, in the lock of your door 3 times slowly from lock to unlock. This will reset the alarm if it is causing you this grief.
Mike J.

 

[rovercanus]

I thought that too Mike, but usually if my alarm has me locked out it won't do anything. I just push the unlock button and it takes care of that.

 

[koby]

It's a dead battery.

If he doesn't know what the symptoms of a dead battery are, it's unlikely he's even removed his battery terminal wires. If he hasn't removed his battery wires, it's unlikely that the terminal posts have spontaneously corroded enough to inhibit engine starting.

 

[rovercanus]

No, but they do get to the point slowly where they will get corroded enough that not enough current will through to let it start. Give the guy some credit Koby, he's trying to learn.

 

[koby]

I am not bashing him at all. Simply stating my rationale for coming to the dead battery conclusion.

Whether he has fiddled with his battery cables or not, it couldn't hurt to give the terminals and clamps a good scrubbing.

 

[Meisterbr?wn]

What do you guys think about Vaseline/petroleum jelly on the clamps and terminals? The Disco manual calls for it and my father-in-law recommended it too. I slathered some on last weekend when I did my 60k.

 

[F18Guy]

How about a shot from a different direction. Could be your alarm has you locked out. Try cycling you key, in the lock of your door 3 times slowly from lock to unlock. This will reset the alarm if it is causing you this grief.

One day at a diner, I hit the FOB and got in my D2. With three passengers looking at me the Pig refused to start. When the key was turned, I heard a "click" and saw lights on the dash. Thinking it was a battery connection, I popped the hood; but everything was tight. One of my backseaters made the comments about the red alarm light illuminating with the turn of a key. So I made sure every door was closed; locked the Pig with the FOB; then unlocked. When I got in, it started right up.

Hope it works out for you

 

[jcollett]

a dead/weak battery will make the rovers do crazy things... this is more than likely your problem. had to replace the battery in my D1 about 6 mnths ago. everything worked on the inside but the starter wouldn't turn over (dash lights flickered and interior lights killed out when i turned the key). tried to use cables to get it to start and still no luck. i though i had a major short somwhere. took the battery out and had it tested, it had a grouded cell, which was grounding out the electrical system - causing the crazy symptoms. put a new one in, tightened the connections, D1 started right up... problems solved.

hope it is this simple for you...

 

[DiscoIIman]

I had the same problem about a month on my 2001 Disco. Drove to my daughter's
(70 miles) turned off the engine. Came back 2 mins later and it wouldn't even turn
over. I never saw a low battery light come. I changed the battery and it fired right
up and I haven't had a problem since. I would how ever check your alternator and
see if is charging your battery.