V8 Disco 1 not starting...

[sam_d]

I know I've not posted anything here for a while but realise this is a good thing - it means that nothing has broken. Until now...

A couple of weeks ago my Disco refused to start. I had no idea why: the engine was turning over but would fire up. I had a fiddle with all the leads I could find under the bonnet to check nothing was lose. Nothing was obviously wrong but I tried the engine again and hey presto - it started.

Then last week it died in traffic. A similar amount of fiddling to make sure there was nothing lose and I was away again in a few minutes.

Now, in my car park at my unit my Disco sits still. The engine won't start. It turns over fine when starting but just won't fire up.

Any ideas? I'm guessing it could be the coil or the fuel pump? Can these things just suddenly die on you or do they fade slowly giving you weeks of grief beforehand?

Additional info: I have an LPG conversion and the lights in the petrol/LPG switch are not lighting up but I am told that even if the LPG system has died the engine will automatically revert to using petrol.

Thanks in advance! :)

[mudmouse]

Hmmmm, maybe the disease is spreading..?

My Disco ('91 V8 263k's) did this not long ago - the first time it's let me down - It just carked it in traffic. Then wouldn't fire up. The threat of a firey death didn't change things and it got towed home. I gave him a couple of days to think about it and then tried the key. First shot, brmm brmmmmm.

A day or so later no start. Same as you, turning over but no noise. It came down to power to the coil. In the end I by-passed the ignition with a relay and toggle switch from the battery directly to the coil. Now no problems.

It looks dodgey and is temporary - the whole lot is coming out soon. It may have been worn insulation and maybe a short but as its temporary I'm not going to be bothered to diagnose it completely..... and I'm waaaaay to much of a tight-wad to get it looked at.

So, check there's power to the coil and then a decent spark. It's damn frustrating this electrickery:mad:

[muddymech]

hi
i had something similar with my v8, try see if you have a spark, mine turned out to be the gap under the dizzy head had closed as it was lose.
sorry the correct terminology has just left my brain for another planet.
ian

[muddymech]

another thought is teh immboliser or has that been removed. not sure that would let it run at all.
ian

[101RRS]

When a V8 D1 has these problems, the first thing to look at is the ignition module - either on the side of the distributor or near the coil.

Garry

[sam_d]

When a V8 D1 has these problems, the first thing to look at is the ignition module - either on the side of the distributor or near the coil.

Garry

Thanks!

But, in simple to understand terms, what should I be looking for on the ignition module? What might be wrong? How can I tell if it is okay or dead?

[ladas]

Pull a plug first see if it's getting wet with fuel - check if it has a spark

If it's not getting wet then there is a likelyhood its a fuel thing;)

If there is no spark its likely to be electrical ;)

If you dont have fuel or a spark - then I would think this would point you towards the imobiliser.

When you have sorted out which is which - just keep going backwards from the plug or fuel system till you find the fault.

[101RRS]

Thanks!

But, in simple to understand terms, what should I be looking for on the ignition module? What might be wrong? How can I tell if it is okay or dead?

I think there is a test but I no longer have my workshop manual to check - no spark would be symptom. They cost about $90 if you look around carefully.

Garry

[RonMcGr]

I had that happen to my D1, once.
The lead in the coil was not seated properly.
Pushing it down and away she went :D

I might also add that it is rare for a D1 to break down, they are the most reliable one made, and I'm biased. :)

[sam_d]

I had that happen to my D1, once.
The lead in the coil was not seated properly.
Pushing it down and away she went :D

I might also add that it is rare for a D1 to break down, they are the most reliable one made, and I'm biased. :)

This is exactly what I have just found out for myself - one of the cables going to the coil looked like it was all good but closer inspection found it wasn't quite connected properly.

A bit of contact cleaner and a squeeze with the pliers and it's now all good. I disconnected the cable to recreate the problem I'd had and it looks like the problem is now solved.

Hurrah! Something nice and simple like I was hoping! :)

[Tombie]

Crash switch!!!

PassSide Firewall..

Fail often.... Cuts spark & Fuel Pump...

[sam_d]

Crash switch!!!

PassSide Firewall..

Fail often.... Cuts spark & Fuel Pump...

Ta for that! :)

I'll remember this one for future reference too.

[matbor]

fuel pump or iginition module !

[rovercare]

fuel pump or iginition module !

Best to read all the posts before replying:p