Thread: Discovery 1 issue

A D1 doesn't have a crank position sensor. The ECU gets a rotation signal from the negative side of the ignition coil (white wire/black stripe). No spark=no injection. Timing is controlled by a regular mechanical and vacuum advance distributor, basically 80's technology. The two most likely failures on a D1 are 1. Lucas ignition module, and 2. fuel pump.

Lucas ignition modules can be replaced with Bosch BIM024 modules, much more common and lots cheaper and more reliable.

Lucas ignition amplifier replacement by Bosch 024

Fuel pumps can be replaced with VN-on Commodore pump kits but you must obtain the correct submersible hose for connecting the pump to the housing top if the original can't be salvaged.

Thanks bee utey, would the ignition module shut down the car while driving? guess I better get searching on the mystery plug that floating around but good it eliminates the sensor and the immobiliser so will try the ignition this weekend. Fuel pump sounds like its kicking on perfectly in the back so will try the ignition as a start.

Your problem could be as simple as a loose connector on the coil. A loose terminal will heat up with passing current, expand and disconnect. On cooling it reconnects. Take off any connector that is loose, squash gently with pliers and make sure it is pushed on firmly. the positive feed wire can be worth replacing with a new fully insulated crimp or a soldered crimp. But yes, ignition modules can fail when hot and work OK when cool.

Awesome thanks again champ I will give it all a crack at the weekend - only problem is that it can go a month without doing it so should be interesting testing it out! Haha. Thanks for the ignition instructions too

One other question will the Bosch unit work with dual fuel? Has a gas kit in it. Cheers

Originally Posted by Heath1983

One other question will the Bosch unit work with dual fuel? Has a gas kit in it. Cheers

Hi read all my latest posts on the discovery 1 site and learn heaps like I did:-). ..Gary

Well, I , like you thank the previous replies to your problem, but from my vast experience with the same problem,
I suggest you go directly to the plug on the fuel pump
My bet is that the connector is having a connection problem and will display itself as a dirty connection,
In my experience this poor connection gets hot and open circuits , only to regain a circuit when it cools
This problem will continue for ages before it really causes it to never start, but the by product of this is the possible fire and loss of your vehicle
I only found mine when it had melted the plug and wire
Just rip up the carpet in the back, undo the panel to look at the fuel pump connector
Good luck

I developed the Bosch conversion because of the large failure rate of the Lucas module after converting a significant number of D1's to LPG. I was getting around 50% failure rate. Bosch failure rate has been far less, around 5%. The spark is better too, with a compatible coil (see the conversion thread). It runs LPG very well.