td5 instrument gremlins...

[5teve]

Hi Guys

A quick question....

i have noticed recently that my 2002 TD5 disco keeps on dropping power to the instrument pack for a second or 2.. then all the lights come on and it goes through its normal ignition on routine.. the other day it died completely for a minute or so.. then came back after the ignition was turned off and on again..

any known issues with this? running of the car is not effected in the slightest..

Thanks

Steve

[LandyAndy]

Well thats a newie Steve.
Check your battery terminals,they are poxy bloody setups.Cant get mine as tight as they should be!!!!!!!
Andrew

[Blknight.aus]

I have a fix for the poxy battery setup.. Soon as we get a bushie in for servicing I'll get some pics for you all.

[5teve]

thanks both... but would that cause it under engine / alternator power? i know its a new one and it scares the brown stuff out of me when i see it happen... i miss the lights going out but then when they all come back on... :eek:

i'll check the terminals tho... im sure they are tight.. but maybe not enough... like i said too.. the motor doesnt miss a beat..

anyone else had a visit from these gremlins?

thanks

steve

[battenberg]

Greetings Steve from the UK.

This is my first post on your forum, I have been searching for the answer to this problem for few months now...

My 1999 TD5 Disco has exacly the same fault. It started as an intermittent fault but now it is full time...

It started with the Fuel guage reading being erratic, I have changed both the fuel Pump/Sender unit as i thought it was that, then I bought a new intrument pack and transferred the fuel guage from it so as not to disrupt the ODO reading. but i still have the problem.

For me the instruments light up, then I start the engine and it all dies, Occationally the instruments jump into action for a few seconds then die, but the fuel guage is always dead.

Have you found an answer to the problem??

I'd love to know how to fix this one... I really dont want to take it to the Main Stealer just yet!

[Panya]

Check to see if any oil in the loom at the ECU? By most accounts does lots of wierd things with the electrics. Mine was starting but not revving every now and then - cleaned it up and so far so good... sounds like if it was a dodgy connection or poor earth it would also be more likely to happen when driving - bumps & so on. Thats doesnt sound like it in your case so if you haven't checked the harness do so.

[dmdigital]

Check the earth points from the BCU as well as the battery terminal. The instrument pack is mostly controlled through the BCU.

[Bundalene]

Hi, I have come across the same thing a few years ago. All the alarm indicators lights on the dash would illuminate at once while the driving - no loss of revs or engine performance.

The problem finished up being some corroded terminals on the plug to the under dash fuse box caused by water leaking past the windscreen seal and running down the wires. Some of the terminals on the plug were really green with the copper corrosion. From memory, The fuse block also has the power drivers for the dash indicators.

To check this - isolate the battery, undo the screw holding the fuse block, lift the fuse block upwards to free it from it's locator and the wires should be long enough to turn it around. Then unplug the connectors to check. If you are not confident with this though, have your Land Rover man look at it.

If the problem is not here, the BCU is the next port of call.

Erich.

[battenberg]

some good advice there, thanks guys...

I'm aware of the oil in the loom problem, ive never replaced it but every now and then clean it out with WD40 and an airline...

From what I have managed to research on this problem:

The Instrument Pack talks directly to the IDM (Intelligent Drivers Module) and the IDM talks to the BCU via a serial data connection. The IDM is an integrated part of the Fuse box.

I like the suggestion that corroded terminals on the fuse box may be the answer, as this ties in with the IDM relationship with the instrument pack.

Thanks for the pointer, I will have a look at it...

[LandyAndy]

Somebody posted a possible cause in another similar thread,could have been JC or Scouse.
The main fuse box under the bonnet can develop a dry joint.
Worth trying another from a wreck.
Andrew

[Graeme]

It seems like a power problem rather than a data/signal problem. Rave (which I assume you have) Electrical Reference manual has the details on the instrument panel's power supply.

[battenberg]

It seems like a power problem rather than a data/signal problem. Rave (which I assume you have) Electrical Reference manual has the details on the instrument panel's power supply.

I think you are bang on there, when the dials spring into life they read ok. Apart from the fuel guage which runs a little erratic... but from reading Rave, the fuel guage does not use the data connection rather taking a reading of resistance, which makes sense if the power supply to the instruments is under question...

[LandyAndy]

Has your D2 done alot of Off-Road work???
The fault caused in my post was attributed to our rough Aussie dirt roads and off-roading.
Andrew