Hi! I recently bought this car (1997 Discovery SD manual transmission ~138k miles) and it's doing this thing on the highway where it will suddenly lose acceleration for maybe five seconds, then it will pick up, and then it repeats. If I press on the gas, nothing changes. It doesn't happen right away on the highway, but usually starts after it has been driven for maybe 15 miles above 60mph. The other day it started doing it then the engine died while driving on the highway. I was able to pull over and restart it, then drive on side streets to get home. The gas light had just come on, and I was still on the first tank of gas from the dealer. I filled it with premium but haven't driven it over 60 mph since because it was pretty scary. The Land Rover dealers here won't diagnose a car older than 2006. I had another place look at it and he suspected maybe the speed sensor or computer, but doesn't have a way to diagnose or check the codes. The check engine light came on and a friend pulled the codes D 0300, 0305, and 1316 but when I look at the list of possibilities I'm not sure where to start. The antilock brake sensor light is on. Ideas?

 

Hi and welcome to the Forum. Nice looking truck! If it's behaving like that, it would not pass smog in CA. Looks like you're in OR, is there the equivalent? If so, maybe ask the dealer for some help. Here it would be their problem.

But if you get nothing on that front... try putting a "P" in front of those codes and searching here. So P0300, P0305, and P1316. Based on what I saw, I'd throw in new wires and plugs--never a bad idea with these rigs. Clean the MAF and research how to troubleshoot coils. These are misfire codes and could be generated by multiple, but finite issues. Take your time and be methodical and you'll get there. Good luck! Post what you do and the results and you're likely to get more help.

 

random misfire faults on #5. Check spark plug wire, or the plug itself to see if it's fouled.

 

1. get an OBD reader. best way here.... https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...02/#post581013
2. download the manuals from the google drive in my signature.
3. Look for the trouble codes in the "gems_obd.pdf" document.

My first action would be to examine spark plugs and wires as Best4x4 suggests.

 

Dont waste your money on an obd reader - half dont work other half dont have the necessary software don't let these posters fool you with their success of obd reading or reseting

first it sounded like a problem with the vss with suden hesitation but not the engine dying - let me research and get back to you - bad fuel can cause this

 

IDK ....my snap-on scanner reads a lot of L/R data, does bi-directional stuff, and of course code resets. And it works for most other cars out there too. I would look at Launch scanners and ask to what extent Land Rover's are covered. You should get an answer. The further you go up the price-chain, the more capable scanner you typically get. Launch scanners are pretty capable. Somewhere in that $400-$550 price range should get you something with a lot of capability. Nobody wants to spend money on a good scanner, but a really good one can save you a ton of time and money. If you save one repair bill it would be a worthwhile investment.

The one thing mine can't do ..that I wish it could, is program fobs. It'll program fobs for many other vehicles, but not the Disco. I don't know if the better Launch scanners can program Fobs either (??).

 

Respectfully, my experience has been very good with a simple $25 dongle and a $5 app on my phone. Will it solve the problem, of course not. Will it help rule out potential causes, absolutely.

I've seen your dissent regarding OBD readers before this thread and believe it to be out of consensus. Used properly and supported by the gems_obd documentation, they can be a great help. And for $25 you don't have much to lose.