Hello all!

I have a 99D2 with 98K. Within the past 500 miles I replaced the headgaskets, had a valve job and also replace the transmission temp sensor as the light had come on the binacle.

So far I've driven it with no problems.

Today, I we pack up the disco and head to the adirondacks pulling my popup camper (2300 lbs) and had kayaks on the SD rack. I'm about 60 miles from home and make my way up a long incline on the interstate. The truck does slow down pulling the weight, but that's not unusal. On the way down everything is fine, until I pull off on our exit. About 1/2 down the exit the engine shuts down, I get a check engine light and the (S) and (M) transmission lights are flashing. I try to restart the truck and it won't start. The engine did not overheat. I pulled the + side of the battery hoping to reset the codes to no avail. But after about 30 mins, the truck cranks up with the CEL still on and I'm able to drive it about 2-3 miles. I stop at a Ford Dealer and try to see if they would let me borrow their OBDII scanner, but they won't. Again the truck won't start. After awhile it does start again. I try and drive to a local shop who says they will let me borrow their scanner. I make it 2-3 miles again and it shuts down. Fortunately, I'm close enough and the let me borrow their OBDII Scanner. At this point I notice the (S) and (M) lights are no longer on. The Scanner gives me the Code P1884. I've searched and that code seems to be some sort of generic code. Arrrg!

I get AAA to haul the Rover, camper and family home. Bummer, the kayak and camping trip to the Adirdondacks is ruined! I'm really bummin'

Once home I start the truck up and it's running fine. I did have the guy clear the code. Any ideas on what might have happened?

 

OK I did some searching and it appears that the M / S lights can be caused by low battery. I have a fairly new optima red top. Also the tension is fine on the belt. I replaced it when I did the head gasket job. I'll double check the connections on the alt. Still doesn't make sense to me why the truck to shut down like that. Also I didn't notice that the truck was only in 3rd. I'll double check that. But now that I've disconnected and reconnected the battery the M / S lights are gone. But only the OBD2 reader would shut off the CEL. I dunno. I'm still bummin' I lost my weekend trip!

 

You need to first get your battery/alternator voltage checked, should be 13.6 to 14.4 volts.
Your are driving in 3rd, because ECU has put you in limp mode.
Go borrow/rent a scanner, read the codes and get back to us with the 4 digit fault code numbers.

 

Whenever you are towing a trailer and have the extra wind resistence of the kyaks on the roof you will want to run it in third gear to keep the transmisison from shifting to much and overheating.
Like Mike said it was in third and only thrid because it was in "limp" mode.
Make sure that you double check your belt routing, it is pretty easy to get it wrong.
http://www.roverparts.com/TechTips/s...routing_D2.cfm

 

Thanks Guys,

I haven't had a chance to check the battery voltage. Pretty much I've left it sitting as I'm a bit disgusted with it at the moment! But I do need to get it figured out. We have a trip to Maine planned for labor day, so I need to get wrenchin' or cancel my trip.

Like I said the battery is pretty new. I did move the alternator around a bit when I replaced the head gaskets so I'll double check the connections and routing of the serp belt.

I do remember the engine "hunting" when I went up that long incline before the shut down, so that's good advice to use third, on hills while pulling.

It still doesn't make sense to me though that the engine should shut down. I've heard a crank positioning sensor can fail like that when they are on the way out. I dunno. I'm still stratching my head.

 

Brand new batteries can fail, so can alternators, so when you decide to get off your Duff, go get it checked, you never want to assume anything with a Disco.

 

If the battery voltage gets low enough the fuel pump will shut down thus killing the engine.
When a crank sensor fails the engine will shut down, then once it cools it will start again.