By milan on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 05:42 am: Edit

Hi guys and gals,
Our 96 V8 is still giving me trouble. The problem is intermittent and seems to happen on hot days only (like 80 deg + or so). The disco runs fine and then suddenly it dies. After that it's impossible to start. If I let it sit for a while, it will eventually start but the idle will be very low and it will keep stalling. Letting it sit long enough (45 mins or so) after the few restarts and deaths, it then usually starts and keeps running well, still idling a bit lower than usual at first (around 600 rpm instead of 650+ if one can tell by the tach) but not as low as when it dies (500 rpm). Then even the idle gets back to normal. My gut feel is that it is one of 4 things:
1) Ignition module - this is my best guess as the engine just dies suddenly, so I think it's electrical. Mind you on EFI engines if you cut the fuel, they die pretty quick too.

2) Fuel pump - any ideas?

3) Coils - would they all go bad at the same time? If there was only one coil, I'd suspect it more but there are 4 right? Could it be the circuit going to all of them?

4) vapor lock - should get fixed as soon as you open the gas filler cap, no? Or could it be elsewhere in the line and opening the tank won't help?

As you see I'm grabbing at straws here. The dealer can't fix it when it runs as everything checks out OK then, of course. I'd like to hear if anyone had similar experience and what it took to fix the problem. Any additional ideas and comments on my line of thinking are, of course, welcome as well. Any TSBs on this? If so, where?

Thanks in advance.

By Danno on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 05:58 am: Edit

other than idle, how does it run? does it die when you are at a stop/idle? have you checked/cleaned the stepper motor? (see FAQ in the tech section)

By Robert Mann (Oldscout) on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 06:08 am: Edit

Stepper motor... I hate that term. On almost every other make it's called a idle air control valve. It's were I would start. It may just need a good cleaning.

By jinwoo on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 06:59 am: Edit

Hi, you probably need new stepper motor. Don't you have any error code?
Now the genuine one is way over $100, but good news is you can get alternative one at much lower price.
I have had rough idling and stalling problem and I got the stepper motor from NAPA(AC delco part #: 25527077) and it took less than 2 minutes to put old one out and new one in.
Yes, they both look exactly same and my old stepper motor was badly covered with black carbon...
Now idling is very smooth and having no more stalling problem for last 3 months with price of less than $39!
Mine is also 95 and I think you'd better replace yours any way considering age of the vehicle.
Investing less than $40 and can avoid dismal stalling problem is very much worth it.

Jinwoo

By Danno on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 09:24 am: Edit

the IACV for the 96 disco (OBD-II) is $380 at the dealer. it's a different part and location than the 95-94 Disco's (OBD-I)

Danno

By Cal on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 08:00 pm: Edit

Mine has been stalling on hot days as well. I have no error code. Landrover Flatirons told me when a fuel pump is on it's way out it has low pressure when it gets hot. Is there any way you can bring a gauge with you and check the fuel pressure right after it stalls? If reads down in the teens then you probably need a new pump.


Cal

By jerry on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 02:33 am: Edit

I had the same problem. poor idle. I removed and cleaned the stepper motor and the mass airflow assy. and cleaned the orifaces that the stepper motor opens to with carb cleaner. it took less than an hour and what a better idle! plus it was free. I also cleaned the tube thst vents the rocker cover as it was all gumed up. which is also the source of the stepper motor getting all black and nasty.
Jerry
96 Disco1

By Milan on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 06:12 am: Edit

Thanks guys. Last time this happened, I took it to the dealer (I have extended warranty) and had them check the stepper motor/IAC valve. They said it was fine. The 96 is old but has very low miles (25K). I wonder if this is why it wasn't driven much as it came from a much warmer climate than ours here. I will check the IAC myself this time but since it runs well any other time, I don't think that's it. However, thanks for the info. Any way to buy a cheap non-rover IAC valve for the 96?

I have my money on the ignition or fuel pump. I'm not quite sure how I'd check the pressure when it happens as I'm not sure what guage to use but I'll open up the back and see what it needs.

Thanks for all the replies so far. Any more ideas?