| Author | Message | ||
     Patrick King (Boulderguy02) New Member Username: Boulderguy02 Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2003 |
Hello everyone, I have a very odd problem. I was driving in a snowstorm the other day and the my 98 Disco just died while driving. I coasted to the shoulder and it wouldn't start again. When turning the key into either the "on" position or the "start" position I could here a relay clicking behind the passenger side kickboard and one in the engine comapartment very close to the engine block. The relay behind the kickboard is yellow with the following wires going into it: 2 green/brown, 1 green w/ a white stripe, and 1 black. I replaced the relay with another yellow one and the clicking persisted. I could not locate/identify the relay in the engine compartment. I also tried a different battery and the problem persisted. Any help/ideas would be greatly appreciated. Patrick | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 580 Registered: 02-2002 |
Check the cable to the starter and on the battery. | ||
| Patrick King (Boulderguy02) New Member Username: Boulderguy02 Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2003 |
The starter/engine does in fact turn over with a jumpstart/fresh battery. However, the engine will not start. Strangest thing. It was running like a champ 1 minute and dead the next. The relay clicking continues while attempting to start the Disco. I am wondering if my ECM is toast. I hope not. Anybody have any ideas? Patrick | ||
| Ron Brown (Ron) Member Username: Ron Post Number: 162 Registered: 04-2001 |
When you first turn on the truck does the check engine light illuminate? If it does not it points to the ECU. Ron | ||
| Patrick King (Boulderguy02) New Member Username: Boulderguy02 Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2003 |
It does not illuminate... Is the ECU the same as the ECM (Engine Control Module), or is it another module? What am I looking at to replace such a unit? Thanks so much for your input.. Patrick | ||
| Tom Fioretti (Tom_in_md) New Member Username: Tom_in_md Post Number: 18 Registered: 02-2003 |
ECU=ECM. If my 96 gets an accidental gulp of water, same result. Cranks but won't start. After drying out, starts right up. Might you have gotten a clump of snow/ice jammed up near the ECM that forced water in there? | ||
| Patrick King (Boulderguy02) New Member Username: Boulderguy02 Post Number: 4 Registered: 03-2003 |
I noticed a small hole (size/diameter of a mcdonalds straw)in the wheel well. the wires on the MFU were a little wet. Can water actually kill the ECU? How much does a replacent ECU cost? Gotta love it  Patrick | ||
| Patrick King (Boulderguy02) New Member Username: Boulderguy02 Post Number: 5 Registered: 03-2003 |
any ideas how long would it take to dry out? I am on day 4 of it being dead. Patrick | ||
| Tom Fioretti (Tom_in_md) New Member Username: Tom_in_md Post Number: 19 Registered: 02-2003 |
Never had to replace one. Once took 3 days for me to get it working again. I think you can expedite the process by pulling all the electrical connectors apart and blowing them out. I never got 100% affirmation that the water was the problem, but the problem did coincide with exposure to water. I sealed up the cover to the ECM with RTV and have been good ever since. Someone on this board also suggested it might be my crank position sensor, but because the problem went away, I never fully investigated that possibility. | ||
| Milan (Milan) Member Username: Milan Post Number: 166 Registered: 10-2002 |
Check the connections on the fuel pump and check the Multifunction Relay box (solenoid box/black wedge shaped box) near the ECU on the fender. I think what you hear clicking is the fuel pump sollenoid. | ||
| Gregory A. Clarke (Qsilver) New Member Username: Qsilver Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2003 |
While wading through 1 foot of water at a fairly high rate of speed, my 97 Disco just quit in the middle of the water. Clicking was heard from under the glove box, tried starting it but it would only turn over and not fire. After opening my hood found water all over including inside my airbox. After a couple of hours, winched out of water and while on an incline, tried starting it again and it fired. Problem did persist for the next few days, inconsistant starting, sometimes it would click other times it would fire right up. My advice... find somewhere dry, lift your hood and dry out any parts that are accessable to you. Good Luck. |
