What can interfere with the ECU - UPDATE

[MickG]

UPDATE
Speaking with Bruce Davis about my ECU which may be faulty and Bruce has suggested that something else within the car may be interfering with the ECU and making it turn to mud. As most of you know, I have been having trouble since it was fitted in Feb and it has been re-mapped once since originally fitted and everything ran superbly ................. until a week later 8O

What can affect or interfere with, in anyway, the continuous, smooth, efficient running of the ECU?

Sending my ECU back to Bruce again really is my last option as my mechanic has tried everything he can to fix the issues, but to no avail. Hopefully someone can shed even a flicker of light on this conundrum so I can find the missing piece to the puzzle and get back to enjoying driving my Disco

To give you a brief history, it's a '99 manual series 2 TD5 Disco which I bought stock standard in August 2004 with 90,000 k's on it - now has 127,000 k's - and since owning it, it has had the following relevant work done to it in no particular order;

New injectors
Remapped ECU - Bruce Davis (has been re-mapped for a 2nd time due to dry solder)
New EGR valve
New throttle position sensor
Maxi Drive 4.11 Diff gears
265/75R16 BFG Muds
True Speed speedo correction unit
Safari snorkel

Rick at Rick's 4x4 has pretty much done all he can to try and get it to run good. Makes me feel even worse when I occasionaly drive my brother in laws '04 Defender 90 Extreme and it drives like a dream and I'm convinced is far more powerful even with mine having the remapped ECU.

Loosing heart fast, Mick

[Slunnie]

Is the intercooler clear of mud?

[MickG]

Originally posted by Slunnie
Is the intercooler clear of mud?

Where exactly would I find the intercooler under the bonnet Slunnie, very unfamiliar with engines?

Cheers, Mick

[LandyAndy]

Hi Mick
It is in front of the radiator,but you cant clearly see it,you can just see a bit on the lhs of the radiator.For a closer inspection its out with the grille and a couple of them plastic panels.
Goodluck
Andrew

[brooksy]

I'm sorry that I can't be of any help Mick after the help you have given me, as you know I have a V8 & would be useless at giving an opinion about Diesels as I haven't owned one since my Hilux back in '92.

brooksy

[51jay]

If you feel like comeing up to Bris we can do a comparison drive with another 99TDi5, however it is an Auto (the sensible option style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif ) May be able to help with or eliminate some of the possible causes

just curious ...how much to buy and have fitted ...the new injectors??

[Steinzy]

Hey Mick,

I'm happy to help where I can and have a look. I'm local at Nerang give me a call on 0439 999 969.

I'm no comparison to Rick's 4wd but we can try and rule out all the obvious!!!

[DougLD]

Hi Mick
Check your inter-cooler hoses that they have not gone soft and compressing when under load sounds the symptoms to me.
Doug

[MickG]

Originally posted by 51jay
If you feel like coming up to Bris we can do a comparison drive with another 99TDi5, however it is an Auto (the sensible option style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif ) May be able to help with or eliminate some of the possible causes

just curious ...how much to buy and have fitted ...the new injectors??

Cheers 51jay for the offer, will keep you posted. As for the injectors I had these changed under warrenty but from memory were over the $1000 mark.


Originally posted by Steinzy
Hey Mick,

I'm happy to help where I can and have a look. I'm local at Nerang give me a call on 0439 999 969.

I'm no comparison to Rick's 4wd but we can try and rule out all the obvious!!!

Thanks Steinzy, I might just give you call soon or if you can spare some time at the next GCLRO meeting that would be great.....might see if I can make it an agenda point!!!!! I have been very happy with the work Rick has done to date and think it is only fair to acknowledge his efforts, but as this problem has been with me for so long now I really think some other opinions are needed to help diagnose the problem.

Cheers also to all others who have contributed and I will post again with any outcomes.

Aye, Mick

[Redback]

First thing i'd do is disconnect the speedo correction unit, we had trouble with ours (manual Disco), THEN, MAF sensor and air filter ours runs rough and sluggish if it's got dust in it you can clean the MAF with contact cleaner or carby cleaner, these are the first things i'd look at, THEN, take it for a drive, if no diff then reconnect.

To me it sounds like it's running in LIMP mode (the above problem will do this), won't let the engine rev freely or the turbo spool up as quick as it should, it's protecting the motor.

have the remapping looked at again as some of the early D2s have had issues with the B Davis chip, it's a pain i know but this could be the problem.

I know we have had this excact problem, the last time B Davis found about 8 fault codes in ours, all because of a loose wire from when the speedo correction was put in by my other half, there were still wire in there that hadn't been re-connected properly.

CHECK ALL THE CONNECTIOS NEAR AND ON THE ECU

Baz.

[tombraider]

Originally posted by DougLD
Hi Mick
Check your inter-cooler hoses that they have not gone soft and compressing when under load sounds the symptoms to me.
Doug
I agree it sounds very much like this. The other thing it sounds like is the Boost modulator.

Visual inspection of the hoses wont be enough. You need to remove them and check all the way inside for delamination.

However, if they'r really, really soft to squeeze, thats most likely the cause.

Cheers
Mike

[MickG]

Geez, this is getting technical, thanks for all the input guys, going to have a drive with Steinzy later this week maybe so depending on feedback from this, i've noted all other suggestions and will pass on to Rick - Rick's 4x4 - to see if he can locate the problem.

Cheers again, Mick

[Grimace]

well i am lookin to purchase a TD5 disco in the VERY NEAR future :wink: so you or anybody else thats wants to go for a test drive with me would be much appreciated.

Hope you sort it out Mick style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[MickG]

Originally posted by Grimace
well i am lookin to purchase a TD5 disco in the VERY NEAR future :wink: so you or anybody else thats wants to go for a test drive with me would be much appreciated.

Hope you sort it out Mick style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

Happy to go for a drive with you mate....maybe you want to have a drive of mine in the mean time, could be on the market!!!!!
Looking into suspension options for it just now. Currently running a 2" OME spring and shock lift all round but want to achieve a MUCH softer ride and more flex/travel - any ideas?


Aye, Mick

[Outlaw]

Heya Mick, talk to Glen about your suspension... he was saying that instead of an aftermarket spring lift he suggests getting your stock LR springs stretched to the 2" extra. Said that a kings spring etc. is too hard and doesn't actually give you any better articulaton offroad, where as his option does... At least thats what i understood from what he was saying :wink:

Oh and grimace... did you see that '93 disco 3.5 for sale in the Sun last week for 5k here on the coast? 8O 8O i was meaning to call you about it style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[MickG]

Originally posted by Outlaw
Heya Mick, talk to Glen about your suspension... he was saying that instead of an aftermarket spring lift he suggests getting your stock LR springs stretched to the 2" extra. Said that a kings spring etc. is too hard and doesn't actually give you any better articulaton offroad, where as his option does... At least thats what i understood from what he was saying :wink:

Thanks Josh

That would be Glen at Brother's Off Road? I have still to make the trip up there at some point to have a chat about what else he can do. Unfortunately only have my OME springs so a replacement of some kind is necessary first off. I have heard good things about LRA springs and was considering Bilstein shocks - any thoughts?

Aye, Mick

[Outlaw]

Nope, no thoughts, just an eclectic mix of electrical signals bouncing back and forth with no apparent sign of a destination style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif kinda like my driving 8O

Don't really know too much about suspension other than the maximum lift i can do before stuffing everything else up :? but yeah, give Glen at Brothers a buzz to confirm other options.

[MickG]

Originally posted by Outlaw
Nope, no thoughts, just an eclectic mix of electrical signals bouncing back and forth with no apparent sign of a destination style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif kinda like my driving 8O

Know the feeling well style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif
Will be giving Glen a call soon hopefully and will try and get up there soon.
2" is as high I can go I think before having to extend abs lines etc, not sure about the D1's though.

Aye

[Disco300Tdi]

Hi Mick
What about the henway?
Did you check it?

[MickG]

Originally posted by 84RR
Hi Mick
What about the henway?
Did you check it?

Excuse my ignorance but the what?

[Steinzy]

Oh - I know what the HenWay is - it is the female Chicken the gets in the way style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[Disco300Tdi]

Originally posted by MickG+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MickG)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-84RR
Hi Mick
What about the henway?
Did you check it?

Excuse my ignorance but the what?[/b][/quote]

Approx 1.5 kilograms

[MickG]

Alright, now I am totally lost 8O
All this talk of chickens and hens.......so what you are saying is, if I check the chicken pen for any hens weighing around 1.5 kg i should be good :?: 8O

[Steinzy]

I'm pretty sure that's what the RAVE manual said! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[WADE]

G'day Mick

Do you still have the problem ?

[MickG]

Originally posted by WADE
G'day Mick

Do you still have the problem ?

Yep, still not driving like it used to Wade!!

[Steinzy]

Hey Mick,

Have you had any luck sorting out the issue????

[MickG]

Originally posted by Steinzy
Hey Mick,

Have you had any luck sorting out the issue????

Hey Steinzy

Thanks again for taking time out to confirm what I thought about the car. Called Southside but the woman was a bit hesitant when I explained all the mods and in the end gave me a standard quote of $1050 for it's major 8O 8O Decided to go back to Rick's that afternoon and chat with him again about the prob. Anyway, it's booked in again with Rick who has said this time he is going to go over the car with a fine tooth comb - kind of wish he had done it 6 months ago - so hopefully, fingers crossed, if the moons alighn, and if conditions are fair to good, my beloved toy will be spending Christmas wallowing in a mud pool somewhere, purring like the beast that it is!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

Will keep you posted and it should have been worked on by the time the next GCLRO meeting comes around so I will have some results! Next is supension to consider.......oh the joys of having 4x4 modification as a hobby, although my wife still can't come to terms with how much time and money I send on it....she'll come round one day I'm sure :wink:

Aye, Mick

[Steinzy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>my wife still can't come to terms with how much time and money I send on it....she'll come round one day I'm sure [/b][/quote]


what else are you going to spend the money on.....Shoes! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[MickG]

Originally posted by Steinzy
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>my wife still can't come to terms with how much time and money I send on it....she'll come round one day I'm sure


what else are you going to spend the money on.....Shoes! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/b][/quote]

Maybe you could talk to her!!!!!!!

[MickG]

UPDATE
Speaking with Bruce Davis this morning about my ECU which may be faulty and Bruce has suggested that something else within the car may be interfering with the ECU and making it turn to mud :?: As most of you know, I have been having trouble since it was fitted in Feb and it has been re-mapped once since originally fitted and everything ran superbly https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ ................. until a week later :cry:

What can affect or interfere with, in anyway, the continuous, smooth, efficient running of the ECU?

Sending my ECU back to Bruce again really is my last option as my mechanic has tried everything he can to fix the issues, but to no avail. Hopefully someone can shed even a flicker of light on this conundrum so I can find the missing piece to the puzzle and get back to enjoying driving my Disco 8O

Loosing heart fast, Mick

[duff]

Hey mick,
Has Rick actually removed the questionable ECU and put in a known good one, What was the result. it would rule in or out the ecu as the problem and doesnt take that long,,,,, compared to going thru the car with a fine tooth comb.

P.S, I had an upgraded ECU fitted recently, I must admit I didn't notice a huge differance in the vehicle on the trip back along the freeway to Brisbane, apart from she kept accelerating/pulling hard way past the legal speed limit 8) ,,,,,, Didnt notice much of a differance until the rain started falling that night and suddenly my TC light is coming on at all the Corners and traffic lights,,,, HEHEHEHEHEhehehe https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ Just cant grow up,,, they should have a pill or something. :roll: :oops:

My wife hates this Bruce Davis fella 8O https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[MickG]

Originally posted by duff
Hey mick,
Has Rick actually removed the questionable ECU and put in a known good one, What was the result.

Hi duff

Yes Rick has put a standard ECU in my car before and it ran great - without the power of course. Bruce Also put the first ECU in question in a car when he got it and ended up giving me another as he said there was a serious fault with it. Almost certain the ECU is resonsible for my problems, but the thing is, it has happened again sine the new ECU was put in, so the question is whether something else in my car is causing the ECU to break or not function correctly.

I wish I knew more about car engines and electrics :cry:

Aye, Mick