1997 Discovery 1
Hey Everyone,
Let me start out by saying thank you for all the wonderful and helpful information on here. I have spent the last four days reading about seven years of posts. I recently purchased my first Land Rover, a 97 Discovery SD for $800. When I purchased the Disco it would fire right up and idle steadily. In park or neutral it will rev up just fine, although it does have a slight hesitation when you hit the gas. When it is in drive though, it will not rev out and is very sluggish. If you can get her up to 40mph you are lucky.
My first thought was the cats being clogged, so I pulled the y pipe from the manifolds. This produced a stronger response from the motor, but the hesitation is still present and I have not had time to drive down the road yet to see if it will run correctly. ( My guess is it doesn't, will try tonight).
I am going to go ahead and remove the cats since I have the pipe out. I also ordered spark plugs, wires, air and fuel filters, and stuff for oil change. Should be here Monday.
When I first purchased it the codes read
P0118 - ECS out of range
P0125 - ECS warm up
P0116 - ECS falling temp
P0181- Fuel Temp Sensor signal error
P0150 - O2 sensor cycle fault
I cleared them after reading and have not tripped anything on my start up tests or drive around the field.
I still have a pile of dealership and mechanic receipts to look at and get an idea what has been done. I am worried about the VSS for sure. Still have the Rear window motors to deal with (need to stop at radio shack), the drivers side window regulator is messed up, and the headliners sagging low. I am hoping to finish removing the Y pipe tonight, clean the MAF, and throttle body tonight.
Let me start out by saying thank you for all the wonderful and helpful information on here. I have spent the last four days reading about seven years of posts. I recently purchased my first Land Rover, a 97 Discovery SD for $800. When I purchased the Disco it would fire right up and idle steadily. In park or neutral it will rev up just fine, although it does have a slight hesitation when you hit the gas. When it is in drive though, it will not rev out and is very sluggish. If you can get her up to 40mph you are lucky.
My first thought was the cats being clogged, so I pulled the y pipe from the manifolds. This produced a stronger response from the motor, but the hesitation is still present and I have not had time to drive down the road yet to see if it will run correctly. ( My guess is it doesn't, will try tonight).
I am going to go ahead and remove the cats since I have the pipe out. I also ordered spark plugs, wires, air and fuel filters, and stuff for oil change. Should be here Monday.
When I first purchased it the codes read
P0118 - ECS out of range
P0125 - ECS warm up
P0116 - ECS falling temp
P0181- Fuel Temp Sensor signal error
P0150 - O2 sensor cycle fault
I cleared them after reading and have not tripped anything on my start up tests or drive around the field.
I still have a pile of dealership and mechanic receipts to look at and get an idea what has been done. I am worried about the VSS for sure. Still have the Rear window motors to deal with (need to stop at radio shack), the drivers side window regulator is messed up, and the headliners sagging low. I am hoping to finish removing the Y pipe tonight, clean the MAF, and throttle body tonight.
Last edited by Fisher0889; Nov 4, 2015 at 02:16 PM.
I'd call to confirm, but pretty sure this is what you're looking for....
SENSOR COOLANT EFI DEFENDER, DISCO I, P38A, PLM134, ETC8496 - Rovers North - Classic Land Rover Parts
SENSOR COOLANT EFI DEFENDER, DISCO I, P38A, PLM134, ETC8496 - Rovers North - Classic Land Rover Parts
Update* After tinkering today I realize that the Disco runs perfectly at a stop in park or neutral. This leads me to believe that the VSS is a culprit.
On a side note, how long does it usually take the Disco to get to normal operating temp? I had mine running for about 5 minutes and the gauge had not started to move.
On a side note, how long does it usually take the Disco to get to normal operating temp? I had mine running for about 5 minutes and the gauge had not started to move.
Update* After tinkering today I realize that the Disco runs perfectly at a stop in park or neutral. This leads me to believe that the VSS is a culprit.
On a side note, how long does it usually take the Disco to get to normal operating temp? I had mine running for about 5 minutes and the gauge had not started to move.
On a side note, how long does it usually take the Disco to get to normal operating temp? I had mine running for about 5 minutes and the gauge had not started to move.
from the GEMS-OBD manual....
The ECU is comparing what the Fuel Tank Temp sensor is sending vs what the Engine Coolant Temp sensor is sending. AKA a 'Rationality Test'.
For $15 it is worth it to replace, IMO. And although I'm not as cheap as fishEH, I am close.
Fuel Tank Temperature Sensor Rationality Check P0181
Rationality Check
The test on the fuel tank temperature sensor comprises of comparing the output from the sensor with a tolerance band based around the value of
engine coolant temperature.
A fuel tank temperature test will check that the sensor does not have an altered resistance characteristic or the sensor has not fallen off.
3. Primary Detection Parameter
Fuel Tank Temperature - measured as thermistor voltage.
4. Fault Criteria Limits
Fuel Tank Temperature – Low voltage (out of range) < 0.0585 V (i.e. > 145 0C)
Fuel Tank Temperature – High voltage (out of range) > 4.895 V (i.e. < -45 0C)
Error between fuel tank temperature and engine coolant temperature > 20 0C or < -120 0C
5. Monitoring Conditions
The range check will take place whenever there is power to the ECM.
The rationality check will take place once the engine has been running for a time > 40 seconds.
6. Monitoring Time Length / Frequency of Checks
The frequency of the fuel tank temperature diagnostic is 2Hz.
7. Criteria for Storing a Diagnostic Trouble Code
Two successive trips where the fuel tank temperature diagnostic indicates a failed fuel tank temperature sensor.
8. Criteria for Illuminating MIL
Two successive trips where the fuel tank temperature diagnostic indicates a failed fuel tank temperature sensor.
9. Criteria for Determining Out of Range Input Signals
The fuel tank temperature thermistor is subject to range testing as above.
Rationality Check
The test on the fuel tank temperature sensor comprises of comparing the output from the sensor with a tolerance band based around the value of
engine coolant temperature.
A fuel tank temperature test will check that the sensor does not have an altered resistance characteristic or the sensor has not fallen off.
3. Primary Detection Parameter
Fuel Tank Temperature - measured as thermistor voltage.
4. Fault Criteria Limits
Fuel Tank Temperature – Low voltage (out of range) < 0.0585 V (i.e. > 145 0C)
Fuel Tank Temperature – High voltage (out of range) > 4.895 V (i.e. < -45 0C)
Error between fuel tank temperature and engine coolant temperature > 20 0C or < -120 0C
5. Monitoring Conditions
The range check will take place whenever there is power to the ECM.
The rationality check will take place once the engine has been running for a time > 40 seconds.
6. Monitoring Time Length / Frequency of Checks
The frequency of the fuel tank temperature diagnostic is 2Hz.
7. Criteria for Storing a Diagnostic Trouble Code
Two successive trips where the fuel tank temperature diagnostic indicates a failed fuel tank temperature sensor.
8. Criteria for Illuminating MIL
Two successive trips where the fuel tank temperature diagnostic indicates a failed fuel tank temperature sensor.
9. Criteria for Determining Out of Range Input Signals
The fuel tank temperature thermistor is subject to range testing as above.
For $15 it is worth it to replace, IMO. And although I'm not as cheap as fishEH, I am close.
But yes, I'm a cheap a**!!


