'96 Disco Won't Start, Please Help!

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Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By JEEPETR on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 08:15 am: Edit

Hello All,

Well, I just got back from a long trip, and my new addition has already let me down. Came home, unloaded the truck, and went back out to got to dinner. Turned the key, and she started up, sputtered and died. Try again, same deal. Scratch head, notice Relay clicking sounds under the dash on the passenger side that I don't remember hearing. Sounds like a relay that won't stay on, click, click, click when the ignition is turned to on, and I do not hear the fuel pump run to pressurize the fuel system.

Wait a half hour, disconnect battery, try again. Starts up, and settles into a smooth idle (for about three seconds), sputters and dies. I think I hear the fuel pump momentarily on startup that time. Try to restart, nothing. This morning, Nothing, won't even start and die like it was doing last night.

Is there a fuel pump relay up under the dash that may be the culprit? How hard are the fuel pumps to replace, and how much do they run? I'm fairly sure its one or the other. The Fuel Pump fuse is fine, as is the injector fuse. Thanx for any and all input ladies and gentlemen...

~Scott
'95 D-90 (JEEPETR)
'96 Discovery (New addition to the Addition)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Bill Gill (Bluegill) on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 02:33 pm: Edit

Did you try the alarm reset button in the engine bay? Little black button back left as you face engine. Probably not your problem, but rule it out anyway. The clicking relay you hear in passenger footwell has come on in my 96 (along with flashing hazards) when I hit big, frame-jarring bumps. You need to turn vehicle off and restart to stop relay. You've done this, however, and you're 96 is stalling. ???

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By wisker on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 02:42 pm: Edit

I had the same clicking along with the flashers after hitting a pothole that could have swallowed a VW. Turning off the truck did nothing. There are 5 relays behind the passenger kick panel. It should be easy to figure out which one is clicking (put your finger on each one). I pulled mine out and the flashing stopped. I just never bothered to put it back in. The hazards still work I just don't get the flashes when the alarm is engaged. Oh well.

wisker
'95 disco

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By JEEPETR on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 08:33 am: Edit

Well here's how it goes so far...

Checked the connection in the drivers side wheel well. Connector was clean, no signs of corrosion. Pulled the rear of the truck apart, gaining access to the top of the fuel pump. Harness looked fine (One mechanic suggested I might find it melted), connections were clean and corrosion free. Tapped on top of fuel pump with a rubber mallet, nothing. Checked the pins on the fuel pump connection. I've got ground on two out of the four, and + 4.5 volts on one of the others with the ignition on. Nothing on the fourth pin? Pulled the passenger side footwell panel. Five relays, and an emissions reminder box (Looked like an oversized relay). Pulled the relays, all showed about 75 ohms across the coil, they looked okay. Does anyone know if any of these are for the fuel pump? Which one? If not where is the fuel pump relay? I'm getting depressed, my wife is getting upset, I need to resolve this, preferably without having to tow it to a mechanic. Thanx for any help...

~Scott T.
'95 D-90 (JEEPETR)
'96 Discovery (New addition to the Addiction)

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Ron on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 11:08 am: Edit

Did you check on the impact sensor or whatever? When you smack something hard enough the flashers will come on and the fuel pump will shut down (I think, have not hit anything hard enough yet). Dollars to donuts it is something in that system if all your other check worked out. Otherwise I dunno.

Ron

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By SG on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 11:21 am: Edit

Can you shift? There're an interlock on the autobox gearshift lever...a friend had a problem with this (it was purely mechanical) but the interlock kept some remote relay from energizing and and the vehicle would not start.

The impact sensor can indeed induce the symptoms you describe, but I've never heard of one failing. Just to be sure, depress the rubber top of the sensor/relay. Firewall, passenger's side, about a 1 1/2" cube....

Just a thought....

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Ron on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 12:04 pm: Edit

Also on the hey that is way too obvious I should have known:

Clogged fuel filter, Bad ground?

Ron

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 12:20 pm: Edit

Another thing to check; the fuel pump connector in the rear driver's side wheel well, that is a known trouble spot also.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By JEEPETR on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 12:26 pm: Edit

SG,

its a manual transmission truck.

Ron,

Don't think it is related to the inertia switch for the fuel pump (accident causes doors to unlock, fuel pump circuit cut, and flashers to go on) Also, fuel filter is a nice thought, but the Fuel pump is not getting power at this point...

~Scott

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By dennis on Wednesday, March 14, 2001 - 08:58 pm: Edit

what about the relay module under the hood
bolted to the inside of the pass. fender
shop book says this contains the main relay
as well as the fuel relay.failed main relay
would not switch on the ecm no fuel no ignition
and well fuel relay...
our 96 won't start without pumping gas pedal
any ideas

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By JEEPETR on Thursday, March 15, 2001 - 03:09 pm: Edit

Hello All,

Wanted to thank everyone for their experiences and suggestions in helping me to get my Discovery Running again. I feel somewhat stupid at this point, as I spent a few hours tracing the entire fuel pump circuit with a meter from front to back, only to find that when testing the harness at the fuel pump originally, I must have been using an intermittent ground connection, because there was voltage at the fuel pump connector all along. I pulled the Fuel Pump out and replaced it with a generous used loaner pump from a local shop owner (Thank You Trevor) last night, and she fired right up. I was considering taking the pump module apart, and just replacing the pump, but two of the pins on the pump side of the electrical connector show signs of overheating, as the plastic at the base is somewhat melted/distorted. The gentleman who lent me the pump said he sees this a lot... And attributes it to partially blocked fuel filters making the pump work harder. Thanks again everyone for your efforts in helping me out, it is much appreciated..

~Scott T.
'95 D-90 (JEEPETR)
'96 Discovery (New addition to the Addiction!)


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