After searching for many months, I finally found and purchased a 2001 Disco SE w/47,300 miles! I bought an extended warranty to hedge my purchase because I knew something at some point will break loose. Well, on my way home, I noticed the following and would like some advice:

1) The A/C and heater face plate does not light up unless it is actually on (it was light when I purchased and by the time I was driving home it was dark and when I turned on the headlights, the face plate inside did not illuminate unless I actually had the the A/C or heater on).

2) The "SRS" light (I assume it is the airbag) flickers on and off. It was off when I purchased and suddenly when I was 30 miles into my drive home, it turned on. When I stopped for gas and turned the vehicle off and restarted after I filled up, it was off. Then a couple of miles down the road, it flickered back on. I'm pretty sure the airbags have never been deployed because according to Carfax it has never been in an accident of any type.

3) The compass on the rear view mirror was working when I bought it, but halfway on my drive home, it suddenly displayed "100". But, when Istopped for gas and restarted the engine, it was working again.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, it did not come with an owners manual. Does anyone know where I can get one?

I'm looking forward to the ski and hunting season here in Washington state with my new disco so I can really test her out!

Thanks in advance

 

only put 91+ octane gas in. change oil every 3k miles. you have some sort of electrical short.

 

I am pretty sure that the HVAC display only lights up when on, the buttons should light when the lights are on, but the LCD display on when on.
The SRS does mean airbag, suplemental restraint system. It could also be a seatbelt pretensioner.
As for the compass, I dont know.
It is now time to see how good that extended warrenty is.
Let us know how it works out.

 

There are replaceable bulbs on the back of the hvac control unit, use thin putty knives on either side of the unit to depress the tabs and pull out. The SRS light coming on, going off, most likely indicates an intermittent fault somewhere in the SRS system. If you would like to try something to see if it helps with this issue, then, with the key out of the ignition and left out for about 10 minutes, disconnect the yellow connector at the back of each front seat under the cushion, put a little dielectric grease in the connector, reconnect and wipe clean. The pins can spread out over time causing an intermittent connect/disconnect condition, the grease will help keep this connection sound and free of dirt and contamination. Drive for a while and see if it stops. As far as the compass goes, it might be losing calibration, and might need to be replaced, but I would go to the dealer on this issue.

 

Thanks tacomatech...I will see if it helps and report back.

By the way, are you located in Tacoma, Washington as your name might imply? Just curious because I'm looking for a good independent Land Rover mechanic in the Seattle/Tacoma area and wanted to know if you knew anyone.

Thanks!

 

Yes, I am in Tacoma, but no, I don't know any independent mechanics...sorry.

 

Have you heard anything about Dan Knowles Foreign Auto Clinic in Tacoma?

Best!

 

No, I haven't heard of them....you could try European Motors on Steilacoom BLVD. now that I think of it though.