I just bought a 1999 Disco II to go with my '97 and when you start the car no lights are on other than "Service Engine", however when you put it into gear the "M and S" lights flash and the "D" flashes on the shifter itself. It seems to have trouble pulling out as if its not pulling out in 1st and doesn't seem to go over 3rd on highway. It appears to go into limp mode. Any insight on this situation?

Thanks

 

And of course you want some answers, even though you haven't had your codes read or read the 1100's of posts regarding the M/S flashing.
Get involved with this problem on YOUR truck, get the four digit fauly codes read, mabye do a search or too and get back to us.

 

Wow, ok....

First off the code was P1601 - EEPROM Fault "Checksum Fault" which WAS checked on MY vehicle after I got home. I did do a search and I found the solution....

"Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms."

So I'll get right on that. I also searched the forum for "M/S", "M/S Light", "M/S Light Flashing", etc. This indeed yielded "1100's of posts", however, I'm not concerned with radio issues, cruise control, windshield wipers, brake pads or any of the other rediculous "solutions" that the wonderful search function returned to me, which is why I made the post in the first place.

"And of course you want some answers"....uh, well yes. Isn't that one of the many functions of this forum. I figured this was an outlet to talk generally about our Disco's.

Maybe I took your post the wrong way but if me asking questions to obtain better knowledge of "MY" truck annoys you then simply don't post in "MY" thread. At the time that I responded there were about 9 other views who simply didn't know or didn't want to answer the question.

 

Marvel-you have low battery voltage, your transmission computer is the first one to loose power, your lights and engine are next.
Yes your transmission is in "limp" mode, only third gear, no 1st, no 2nd, no 4th, only third.
You either have a bad battery, bad alternator, bad/loose drive belt or a bad belt tensioner.
Start by having your battery and alternator tested.
You can check the belt tightenss yourself, open the hood, with the engine off try put a finger on the belt and push it down, if it moves more than a 1-2 inches then you have a bad belt tensioner or a worn belt.

 

Thanks Spike so much for your help. I'm going to go check that out right now. I'll get back with the results of what I find.

 

Spike,

I checked all that you told me. Battery, alternator, belt and tensioner all were ok. One thing I noticed was the main ground where it first bolts to the body off of the negative terminal of the battery was slightly loose but thought it was still tight enough for a ground. I tightened it anyway and cleared the codes but they came back on.

It doesn't necessarily come on immediately when cleared. I clear them while driving and I've had it last up to a couple miles before it comes back on. Everything seems to work perfect in this short time period. As I was leaving the auto store to have the battery, etc checked I decided to floor it with it cleared. It had the proper power and shifted normally but then the "three amigos" came on. A key turn off and on cleared them but shortly after the M/S lights came back on. My little knowledge sounds like it might be a ground issue but I'm not sure where to start. Any further ideas?

Thanks

 

I dont have any clues when it comes to finding the grounds on a DII.
If your battery and alt tested good then it must be a ground issue.
As for the check engine code i do not know what that one means, sorry.
The "3 amigos" are a seperate issue, the M&S lights flashing are your first priority.

 

The flashing M&S lights will keep coming back until the battery is charged. It sounds like you checked stuff but didn't charge the battery. Once you get the battery charged you need to find why is got run down in the first place, and a loose ground could be the problem.

 

Also get check to see if your switch gear position XYZ (yeah, that's really what's it called...i thought the same thing) has gotten wet. I experienced the same problem with my DII, replaced that part and don't have the problem anymore. Apparently the A/C tube is located over the part and leaks onto it.

 

Spike and AK Rover, thanks so much for your help. I went back and checked the battery and made sure it was fully charged. Come to find out it seems the positive cable wasn't fully seeded down on the terminal due to one of those anti-corrosion discs. I cleaned it and tapped it as far down as I could with a rubber mallet. It seems to be fixed now. Before I couldn't go but 3 miles before lights but I made it about 15 before I parked it with no sign of lights at all.

Bangkuaidiscovery04, thanks for the input. I'll keep that in mind if it happens to reappear.

AK Rover, we were discussing Aux switches last week. Well now that I have a DII I'll take a look at the switches and see if they transfer over to my DI and I'll let you know. Maybe it will save you some time and a trip the the salvage yards.

Thanks all.