| Author | Message | ||
     Paul Kennington (P_kennington) New Member Username: P_kennington Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi Guys, I have a 1996 Disco SD with the 4.0 and stick. It has 85k on, and has been sitting for about 8 months on and off (I was in Europe- fiancee used it every once in a while) anyhow, I've been running her for a couple of weeks, no problem, but today on a 100 mile+ trip, she started missing real bad- miss, run fine, miss for a few seconds, run fine again, and so on. I don't think it was missing on all cylinders- stayed above 50mph, but something is wrong. I tried it with and without the cruise- no difference. The check engine light came on, so I took it to a shop, and they said it didn't do it when they tested it (go figure) but that the code was for a bad #5 cylinder and a missfire. The mech checked the plugs and wires, but to no avail. On my way back, same thing- it would run fine, then start missing real bad, back to running fine again, then miss like crazy. I use supreme gas. It was about 95 degrees today. That's about all I can tell you- any ideas much appreciated! Thanks in advance, Paul. | ||
| EricV (Bender2033) Member Username: Bender2033 Post Number: 221 Registered: 08-2002 |
IIRC, if the vehicle speed sensor goes bad it can send an over speed code causing every other cyclinder to misfire (to slow you down). Anyway, this is just a WAG so try a seach on VSS. Keep us posted! | ||
| Jacquelyne Davis (Jmdavis) New Member Username: Jmdavis Post Number: 28 Registered: 06-2003 |
Sounds like you might need a valve job? My husband just went through this whole ordeal on his '96 SD; his symptoms being the same as yours. Sometimes it would go for days without acting up. Then, out of nowhere, it would start to run crappy. He would get a code for cylinder missfire, among others. The smell from the exhaust would be pretty rich, and from time to time it would smoke, too. He always runs premium gas. Anyhow, it could also be something totally different, but I thought I would share that with you! Do a search on valve job/ sticky valves, and you'll see what I mean; seems to be a pretty common experience for many. Good luck. Cheers, Jacquelyne | ||
| Paul Kennington (P_kennington) New Member Username: P_kennington Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2002 |
Thanks Jacquelyne, my Disco is going in to the shop on monday. How much did the valve adjust cost? Any idea why the problem was intermittent? Did your have the same codes (random missfire and #5)? Cheers, Paul. | ||
| Eric Dennis (Dcdisco) New Member Username: Dcdisco Post Number: 18 Registered: 07-2003 |
hey all on a side note .. i went up to ct. on the past weekend and i was doing 70mph all the way no stops then all of the sudden it felt like i would just let off of the gas. then the power came back did this a few time i slowed 2 55-65 mph and seemed fine after a few stops all ok no check enging light and i did a valve job about 30k mils ago.. all fine untill heading back home 2 md and did 70 all the way untill pulling out of toll both and it started up again for a few times then fine again still no engine light.?? speed sensor?? | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 1016 Registered: 09-2002 |
VSS, very likely. | ||
| Ewan Grenenger (Ewan) New Member Username: Ewan Post Number: 5 Registered: 07-2003 |
Paul, My Disco (94 3.9) has occasional bouts of intermittent rough running & misfires, which I eventually traced to bad electrical connections on the low tension side of the coil. It may be just unique to my rig but could be worth a look for you. When it happens I pull the spade connectors off, give them a clean & all is well again. Another cause of misbehaviour (idle & misfires) was loose pins inside the female connector on the MAF. Pull the plug & gently squeeze the pins together with tweezers, a dose of contact cleaner and reseat. My $0.02 worth. Cheers Ewan | ||
| Mike Bauer (Mikeb) Member Username: Mikeb Post Number: 85 Registered: 02-2003 |
A 96 has GEMS, and thus no distributor or coils like the 95 and 95. It could still be a loose ground someplace. This could also be a fuel problem. Maybe sediment clogging the filter or in the tank (common when vehicles sit for a long time). Could also be water in the gas or your fuel pump going bad. My suggestion would be to try putting in some gas dryer in the tank and/or changing the fuel filter. Thanks, Mike B. | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) Senior Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 288 Registered: 02-2003 |
Bad gas????? | ||
| Tony Zuniga (Tony23007) Member Username: Tony23007 Post Number: 166 Registered: 05-2003 |
Paul, I had a similar problem on my truck, it would hesitate sometimes at highway speed, it acted like it was about to cut out and then all fine. It also began doing it at low speeds until one day my car would not start. I took it to the shop and it ended up being the Coil?? I don't know why or how the coil could affect the car this way but it's worth checking it out!!! | ||
| Paul Kennington (P_kennington) New Member Username: P_kennington Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi Guys, thanks for all your advice/ideas. I filled it with gas yesterday, and ran it for a while- seemed fine. I really hope it was bad gas and not a valve job required! I have it booked in on monday- will let you all know the outcome. Where is the fuel filter on this rig? Is it easy to change out? Is there just one? Cheers! Paul. |
