By Mike on Saturday, May 19, 2001 - 12:25 pm: Edit

I've had my 97 Disco w/ 29K miles for about 3 months. In the last 2 weeks, the car doesn't seem to want to start easily. It will stall, but will finally start and run fine. Today, it just wouldn't start & I ran the battery down. After jumping, I got it to start but it ran strange. Sitting at a light the idle would drop to about 400 rpm and then jump up to about to 1500 rpm.
Any ideas?

By Moe on Sunday, May 20, 2001 - 11:59 am: Edit

Mike the idle problem might be the stepper moter (see FAQs in the tech section), but it sounds like you are due for a 30k service anyway. Do the plugs, leads, filters, and fluids and see if there is any change.

A couple of people have posted on this list alternative (non LR) sources for the stepper motor. Do a search.

Ian

By Mike on Monday, May 21, 2001 - 09:29 am: Edit

Ian, I think that the battery is just about dead. I friend of mine tested the battery at 12.1 volts. He told me that the battery should test at about 12.6. I'm going to do what you mentioned (plugs, wires), already changed filter and fluids, and get an Optima battery. I'm also going to look into the stepper motor.
Mike

By Moe on Monday, May 21, 2001 - 01:06 pm: Edit

So you changed both air and fuel filters?

Good choice on the battery. You might want to check the charging system when you throw in the new optima. These guys sell the Optima.

http://www.expeditionexchange.com/

Ian