Hey gang -

97 disco has developed an odd starting issue over the past couple weeks that I’m at a bit of loss with. Here’s what’s happened 3 separate times in the last 2 weeks driving around town.

- Truck starts and drive perfectly fine. (Actually driving the best it has in the 8 years I’ve owned it.)
- will have several stops - truck starts fine each time.
- suddenly truck will not start. Nothing. Have all lights and power.
- the first case I had the truck jumped and it started. I then replaced the battery thinking problem solved.
- the next 2 cases the truck again refused to start after having been driving around- then, out of the blue, it suddenly starts again. The first incident after 10 min of sitting, the second after sitting for 40 min. I did nothing different. It just decided to turn over. It then runs perfectly fine.

In these 2 weeks I’ve gone out several other times and had no problems so it’s a very random issue. Needless to say my confidence driving it is now at a low. Why does it start and drive perfectly then out of nowhere refuse to start - sit for awhile - then start as if nothing happened?

I’m beginning to suspect the factory immobilizer as when I’m having the problem it acts the same as when I turn the key with the immobilizer on. All power ‘ lights but nothing on the turn of the key.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated before I head down the rabbit hole - again...

Cheers,

 

First guess is the Crank Position sensor. It is on the driver's side of the engine bell housing (opposite the starter). It is supposed to have a heat shield because it is close to the exhaust. they get overheated and maybe even have some charred wiring.

You can get a little closer to testing the theory by pouring some cold water on it when it acts up in order to cool it. That said, if the wiring is toasted, the cool water may not work.


https://www.roverparts.com/engine/sensors/ERR6119/



This video demonstrates the location/installation on a DII. It is virtually the same for a D1 though the part number is different.

 

Do you hear the fuel pump start when turning the ignition switch? Fuel pump, it's connector at the fuel pump or the next one up from that would be Walt's second guess......

 

Thanks Walt / Ihscouts for the feedback.

Yes, I hear the fuel pump when the ignition is turned on... everything seems normal except nothing on the turn. Walt’s suggestion makes sense as all issues crop up after a bit of driving and seems toncorrect itself after sitting idle. I’ll have a tinker and get back with the results.

cheers,

 

you have to take off the exhaust manifold to replace the Crankshaft PS ? Holy crap LR - can you say Forest Gump - when I had the transfer case changed I should have replaced the VSS and CrankshaftPS

 

Exhaust manifold does not need to come off. They did so in the video so that it was easier to see.

VSS can be done fairly easy from under the truck.

 

thanks Walt

 

I had a similar issue. Turned out to be the neutral safety switch on the transmission. When it's not starting, I would try to jump the terminals on your starter. If it cranks and starts, then it would seem to be something that's keeping power from the starter solenoid, which could definitely be immobilizer or neutral safety switch.

 

Thanks for your thoughts Defender. I have a CP sensor being delivered and will install when it arrives. In the meantime I’ve still been driving it around with no issues - but I have not been doing multi-stop errands which is when it seems to act up (after getting hot). If it does fail on me before I swap the CP sensor I’ll give your suggestion a try. After reading other posts buried in this forum it’s sounds a lot like the CP sensor issue. We’ll see...

Cheers,

 

Conclusion to this issue for those that find themselves with a similar issue -

Turns out it was not a faulty crank position sensor or neutral safety switch but a failing starter motor. Starter motor would fail when it got hot and refuse to engage again until it cooled off. Swapped it out - all good.