Momentary loss of power - ECU? - UPDATED

[MickG]

I have a Bruce Davis remapped ECU fitted to my Manual '99 series 2 Disco which has just come back from being re-programmed by Bruce - faulty connection inside. Before it was sent away though along with the engine running a bit rough and blowing tons of smoke, it also occasionally dropped power momentarily when you accelerate a bit harder than normal. Now I'm not booting it by any means but just trying to put the power down. I thought this problem might be resolved with a re-program, but it is still there. It just drops out momentarily and then kicks back in and can do it 2,3,4 times in a row sometimes when accelerating. Does it in all gears but noticable in 2 & 3rd - did it today when trying to accelerate from 100 to 110k's in 5th gear.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar and do you reckon it is the ECU or something else? All help appreciated.

Aye, Mick

[4range]

Yep,

I've sent my Rangie to them with different problems, and have got it back not fixed ! on several occaisions.

Oh sorry you didnt mean prob's with the repairer ?- Cant help you otherwise.

[septimus]

Have you checked for the oil problem - the one where oil is fed along the wiring loom as if it was a wick and gets into the ECU connectors?

[noddy]

Sounds like it is going into a limp mode setting, which can be caused by overboosting.

See if you cannot get it hooked up to a diagnosis to see what faults are being logged on the ECU. Is it Ok once you turn the engine off and restart?

Oil in the wiring loom could also be a problem with a '99 TD5. Should have been fixed under warranty.

Sorry I cannot be more help.

[Slunnie]

Overboosting was also my first thought.

[MickG]

Originally posted by Noddy
Sounds like it is going into a limp mode setting, which can be caused by overboosting.

See if you cannot get it hooked up to a diagnosis to see what faults are being logged on the ECU. Is it Ok once you turn the engine off and restart?

Oil in the wiring loom could also be a problem with a '99 TD5. Should have been fixed under warranty.

Sorry I cannot be more help.

Has been plugged in and checked for faults and none show, also had the injectors replaced about 20,000k's ago under warrenty because of oil in the loom. Has also had the air flow metre changed. Seems to be sporadic and only does it sometimes cold or hot and makes no difference if I turn the engine off and back on. Really staring to annoy me as my mechanic has tried to identify the problem for so long now plus I hoped that the re-re-mapped ECU would fix it.

Appreciate the input so far

Aye, Mick

[hiline]

had problems with mine the other week 8O 8O 8O
it wouldn't rev out at all :cry: :cry: :cry:
not the same thing as yours

but the car just wouldn't go hard at all 3/4 rev range

turned out to be a blocked air filter style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif
changed it over and away she went


just love it when you get things fixed cheap style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif :wink:

[LandyAndy]

Had an ECU problem in my truck at work on tuesday.Get up a hill the ECU light would come on and I would loose power and stop.Key off,restart and away she went.It happened 8 times and we got an ISUZU man with a computer reader out.The cause overheating,ON A COLD DRIZZLING DAY!!!!!! No overheating on the temp gauge,the computer doesnt lie he tells me,adding that I had "overspeeded" the engine 81 times :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: He looks up the overheating code and it wasnt the water temp it was EGT,the cause,the intercooler fins blocked with the mud we have been carting.The tailgates were bursting open on the track up to the pit leaving a foot of slosh on the track by the end of the day,the only way up was to hit it as fast as you can with the difflock in.Made for an interesting day 8) 8) 8)
After a good cleanout all my horses are back in the paddock.
Andrew

[septimus]

Originally posted by MickG
Has been plugged in and checked for faults and none show, also had the injectors replaced about 20,000k's ago under warrenty because of oil in the loom. Has also had the air flow metre changed.k

I believe oil in the loom would need the injector loom replaced, not the injectors. And if the injector loom was replaced but the loom to the ECU was not then you can still have oil getting into the ECU plugs.

If you have not done it, have a good look at the red plug at the ECU. When you unplug it take out the white cover that sits inside it and check for oil. If it is there I found CRC Contact Cleaner to be good for removing it as it does not harm plastic and is specifically designed for this sort of work.

It required several applications over a period of days and some still seeps down and needs to be removed occasionally. I guess eventually it will dry out.

[MickG]

Cheers for the input guys, going back to my mechanic today for another less annoying reason and while there, will be mentioning all possibilities suggested above and hopefully will put this one to bed once and for all!!!

If I manage to resolve the issue I'll post back for information sake.

Aye, Mick

[disco_ute]

How did you go with this??

[MickG]

Loss of power update.
Haven't been back to the mechanic yet but the momentary drop in power seems to have resolved itself and she is running like a dream now style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif . I originally had the Bruce Davis ECU fitted in Feb this year after hearing great things about it but have never really been over the moon about it :? - was definitely better than normal ECU though. With it being re-programed recently and now with my power drop gone I can now see what all the fuss is about........I now have a rocket ship which drives as smooth as you like with constant power through the gears :twisted: .
I am a very happy man who hopes that the power drop was just some blockage due to the ECU sending too much fuel through my system :?: - had lots of smoke before and terrible fuel econ. Anyone else with any other theories before I get too excited?

Assuming this is my problem solved, thanks for all the input and happy driving. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

Aye, Mick

[septimus]

That's good news - hope the problem is gone forever. I am thrilled with my Davis upgrade. I now roar up the mountain from Cairns to home, overtaking vehicles where before I would drop down to second gear. In fact the Defender now nearly drives as well as my Suzuki Vitara!

[LandyAndy]

Funny this post popped up again!!!!
Yesterday my truck had an attack of the ECU gremlins again,but worse.The ECU light kept coming on,restart to clear it go a K on it comes and the truck stops.
In the end the dealer sends out a tow truck on steroids to pick it up.
Sofar there is nothing wrong with it,the computer recorder lots of failures intercooler temp,turbo pressure,fuel pump,and fly by wire accelerator.
They reset it and cant get it to repeat the performance????
THE COMMON DENOMINATOR is RAIN,both days it has happened its been raining.
They are replacing the ECU,fly by wire throttle and the electronics in the fuel system.
Clutching at straws I would say.
AND I BOUGHT A TD5 Disco :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: I best keep out of the water style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif
Andrew

[septimus]

Originally posted by LandyAndy
They are replacing the ECU,fly by wire throttle and the electronics in the fuel system.Andrew

Gasp! I hope you are not paying?

[MickG]

I knew I would be eating my words :evil: , but I was just too excited that my car was runnig so well after so long.
One of the problems has returned to my Manual TD5 - when the car sits around 1500 - 2000 revs and you go to accelerate I get a huge plume of black smoke out the back. I had this before the ECU was remapped for the second time but this remap seemed to solve this problem too - which is why I was so excited. The power drop out seems to have gone and the power delivery is nice and smooth still. Anyway, the plume of smoke at these revs is back and I have a theory;

As the remapped ECU creates its power by injecting more fuel, as I drive through town in say 5th gear at a contant 1600 ish revs, am I right in assuming that there is still more fuel than normal (normal being a standard ECU) being sent through the injectors? If so, this would surely build up and account for a plume of unburnt smoke when I accelerate?
Having said all that, for the week after the ECU was remapped again, this plume did not happen, even when driving around town at low revs and then accelerating? I'm at a loss but will be back to the mechanics soon to discuss. Anyone else with a manual TD5 who has had a similar problem, please let me know your thoughts.

Aye again and I will be a bit more cautious this time before posting with problem solved.

Mick

[Slunnie]

Mick, also check your intercooler hoses. Sometimes they delaminate on the insides, though this usually stops the car with a lot of black smoke.

[MickG]

Cheers Slunnie

Turns out it may be my driving style with my manual TD5. I normally rely on the torque of the engine to drive me around town and therfore would cruise at 60ks in 5th unless hilly. This has probably been clogging the whole system up and explains the smoke plumes. Apparently with the Bruce Davis ECU you need to work the engine a bit more and this should also give me better fuel econ - i'm learning but would be very interested to hear from other TD5 manual Disco drivers. I would also like to know what sort of revs people drive at and change gear at and what sort of revs will give best fuel econ when cruising.

Aye, Mick

[seqfisho]

Aye Mick,

Ya should have got an AUTO style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

Then ya wouldnt have to worry about when to change gears style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[MickG]

Originally posted by seqfisho
Aye Mick,

Ya should have got an AUTO style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

Then ya wouldnt have to worry about when to change gears style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

I'm from Scotland originally and have only ever driven manuals - no-one drives autos back home. A few years ago I did decide to buy aussie and went the holden auto route and never again - hated the way the car decided for me when to change gear!!! Like my manual but do agree it does cause me problems when trying to identify problems.

Aye, Mick

[LandyAndy]

Hi Septimus
Fortunately it is a work truck and is also still under warranty.

Hi Mick
Do you have cruise control????
I cannot match the acceleration the computer provides whilst in 5th with CC on.set at 110,it will drop to almost 100 on hills then it feeds itself bigtime.I have tried the same hills non CC and you would think its a different vehicle.
My new bigger tyres(255/70 Discoverer ST) have taken the edge of performance a little,but she still fair goes.I dont know for sure if its been chipped,but on the original size tyres 160ks was easy and quick.NO I DONT NORMALLY TREAY HER LIKE THAT BUT WAS ENQUISATIVE :oops: :oops: :oops:
One thing I will tell you,with small turbo diesels you have to fair give it to them,the economy doesnt suffer much at all but the driveability is much better.I also have a Mitsi Trytoo 2.5 TDI,we have Ford Courier and Rodeo TDIs at work,they are the same FEED IT TO THEM AND THEY FAIR GO,drive them sedately and they are very sluggish.
I suspect you may be treating your Disco a bit too nicely,I also do the same Im the slowest off the mark at the lights etc,BUT I LOVE THE FUEL ECONOMY 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Andrew

[MickG]

Originally posted by LandyAndy
Hi Septimus
Fortunately it is a work truck and is also still under warranty.

Hi Mick
Do you have cruise control????
I cannot match the acceleration the computer provides whilst in 5th with CC on.set at 110,it will drop to almost 100 on hills then it feeds itself bigtime.I have tried the same hills non CC and you would think its a different vehicle.
My new bigger tyres(255/70 Discoverer ST) have taken the edge of performance a little,but she still fair goes.I dont know for sure if its been chipped,but on the original size tyres 160ks was easy and quick.NO I DONT NORMALLY TREAY HER LIKE THAT BUT WAS ENQUISATIVE :oops: :oops: :oops:
One thing I will tell you,with small turbo diesels you have to fair give it to them,the economy doesnt suffer much at all but the driveability is much better.I also have a Mitsi Trytoo 2.5 TDI,we have Ford Courier and Rodeo TDIs at work,they are the same FEED IT TO THEM AND THEY FAIR GO,drive them sedately and they are very sluggish.
I suspect you may be treating your Disco a bit too nicely,I also do the same Im the slowest off the mark at the lights etc,BUT I LOVE THE FUEL ECONOMY 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Andrew

This is what I am now finding out about owning a manual TD5, you have to give it some or at least give the rev counter a good work out occasionally. I do drive pretty gently and will normally be changing gear around 3000 revs and cruising around town at around 2000. I run 32" muds and 4.11 diff gears which has made a big difference to all my cock pit readings - hard to know what reading is correct just now. Also I have the remapped ECU and when on cruise I find it holds pretty good at the 110 - unless it is a bugger of a hill. It dropped back something terrible without the chip before on even the smallest incline at all speeds. I have found it is sometimes better to feed the power on slightly when going up reasonable hills when CC is on as this seems to put the power down a bit smoother than relying on the CC. CC seems to wait until it is a bit too late and then trys to power down - I suppose it can't see the hill coming!
Interested to hear that fuel econ is not really affected by giving it some as I would automatiucally assume that more fuel would be used if I push it harder - although you are not the first to suggest I will get better econ if I "treat it like I stole it"!!

Will ring it's neck over the weekend and see if I can unclog the system a bit and get her purring!!!

Top info LandyAndy, and thanks again.

Aye, Mick

[LandyAndy]

Just an update on my worktruck.
Headded of to Bunbury at 3pm yesterday to pick it up,NEW ECU,NEW FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE,NEW INJECTOR PUMP AND ELECTRONICS,we are talking BIGTIME warantty costs here.The dealer says its totally fixed,been test run twice since the work all fixed no more fault codes coming up.
I get to the top of Roelands hill(a big hill between Collie/Bunbury) 30ks away and she stops again in the pouring rain.Ring up the dealer sends 2 mechanics out,plug in their computer and low and behold the same fault codes come up.
The 2nd mechanic,who wasnt the one working on the truck whilst they have had it, walks around to the fueltank and tries to open it,he has great difficulties and finally it opens with a big woosh of vacuum.Possible problem found,1.when its raining,water/mud is blocking the tank breather starving the engine,making it run too lean setting off the EGT sensor and cutting off the fuel supply.2.The "bead chain" that stops you from loosing the fuelcap is broken,and has been since the truck was a month or three old,its possible that the chain remaining in the tank has been sucked up into the pickup.
Anyway,one really ****ed off boss as we really need the 3 trucks at the moment,one really ****ed off me as I have been doing stop/go in the rain whilst the truck is off the road and one very embarrased looking mechanic who really should have looked into the basics. :oops: :oops: :oops:before going into it bigtime.Apparentley IsuZu instructed them on how they wanted it fixed.
So the truck is back at the dealer for further checking.
Andrew