Discovery 2 ,2000.
Hello all - new guy here. I couldn't find another forum or thread where this has come up, so hopefully some one has some insight to this issue. I have a 2000 Disco 2, Gasoline engine. I noticed that there is a set of lights that come on for about 30 seconds then power off on their own. They keep doing this non-stop throughout the day/night until the battery is drained. These lights come on as soon as I connect the battery. NO KEY IN THE IGNITION.

1. Day time running lights.
2. Corner lights
3. Tail lights.
4. All dashboard lights.
5. Gear shift lights.
6. Glove compartment light.

I have removed all fuses and relays meticulously that I feel are relevant in the cabin and under the hood. I have removed the BCU, ECU, stereo, light switch, ignition switch, instrument panel - and nothing. With these items removed. all of these lights illuminate once battery is connected. Not sure what is still feeding this system any power. I have hit the wall on this one.
Anyone have any ideas or recommendations ?

 

The obvious common denominator that comes to mind is the fuse box.
I had to replace mine for other reasons, but found a used one on Ebay for less than $50.

 

So far , the fuse box is one of the few items that I have not yet removed or replaced. At this point I am willing to give it a shot. I'll let you know how that went.

Thanks !!

 

Piece of advice - its NOT going to come out without first unplugging everything from the back.
(meaning, you cant even get it out of the hole)
So.......Twist it to your left to get the plugs undone then work it out.

 

Tiny poof of smoke came out of here.... ( the smoking gun )

Bingo !! Found the issue after months of headaches.



OK - new update. I replaced the fuse box. I found a used one on E-bay. The process was not easy - but I got it done. I plugged it in - and issue remained. Lights still turned on I knew there was a short somewhere as I could smell something burning - just couldn't pin-point the location. I finally determined it may be coming from behind the blower motor - so I removed it ( again ).
I finally saw a tiny poof of smoke coming out of an opening on the tightly wound bundle of wires. The green header connector was fried. It turns out that I had a small coolant leak and it was trickling down the wire harness bundle and shorting out the headers. The wrap holding this bundle together was creating a pool of coolant. These headers house anywhere from 3 to 6 separate circuits thus creating shorts of all kinds. I ordered some new connectors from a supplier in the UK.

I should be able to have these replaced in about a week. Fingers crossed !!!!

 

After replacing the fuse box - the Disco continued with the same issues. After relentlessly trying to track down the short, I finally discovered it was coming from a bundle of wires behind the blower motor. There was a tiny leak of coolant in the hose leading into the heater core that was dripping into this wire bundle and pooling, It eventually settled in the header connectors to short everything out.
I replaced them - and just like tht the problem went away!!!


A tiny plume of smoke came out of here....

The connectors were obviously fried.