I love this forum and it has been a great help to me during the ownership of my 2001 Land Rover Discovery II. Your insight and shared frustrations/joys of ownership are much appreciated.

Problems:

1) Hard starts in the morning and in the evening after ending a 10 hour work day. It sounds as if it's breathing for air and stutters until it "catches its breath" and revs up to about 2K RMP then back down to about 1K.

2) No acceleration: The pedal can be touching the floorboard and I'm going 20 mph if even. Can't go up a hill past 30 and struggles to shift out of third gear until I hit 50 mph. I can't pass, can't rev, can't speed up or the engine will act as if it's shutting down, the Service Engine Light flashes and I can't speed up until it goes off.

What I've done so far:

1. Replaced all O2 sensors
2. Replaced wires and plugs
3. Replaced crankshaft sensor
4. Replaced fuel pump
5. Cleaned out MAF sensor
6. New Battery (purchased yesterday)
7. Tranny flush/new fluid

This is not my V8 Rover. I just love the truck and want it to drive like it used to. PLEASE HELP!!!!

 

If you have access to a scanner that reads live data, look at the throttle position sensor %. As you press on the pedal, it should change from a minimum around 9 and go up. It is a potentiometer (like a volume control), and can be "noisy" or just bad. That makes truck use a default. If the TPS is bad, the computer has no idea you a pressing down on the gas pedal.

In the old days, a mechanical linkage did it all.

 

First you need to read your codes and post these.

The rev up to 2K on start sounds like what I had happen when I had a massive vacuum leak. I did the smoke test using a cigar to blow smoke into the intake and was very surprised to see I indeed did have a leak at my injector O-ring. It's worth a try and if you like Cigars its an excuse to go out and smoke one.

I didn't have the power issue as you do but did have the flashing check engine.

 

The flashing light makes no sense to me but I know a clogged cat will cause all the other symptoms.

 

Flashing light normally associated with CAT damage level misfires.

 

Thanks for all of the responses. I ran the codes last night, and multiple misfires came up. The last code signified that my ignition coil pack needs to be replaced. I'll try that and keep you guys updated.

 

you might want to try dropping the exhaust

 

Before you replace the the coils, post the codes. Also take a peek tonight when it is very dark under the hood, and look for little arcs of light from coils, boots, wires, plugs.

 

Sounds almost exactly like my problem last year. Got great advice from people on the site about fixing it.

For me it was the coils. Bought some replacements from AB (not genuine parts) and truck ran great for a week then same problems, same codes. Ended up having to take it to the dealer who determined after almost two weeks of "working on it" the new coils were bad. Put new genuine rover coils in and haven't had a problem. Not shilling for genuine parts, just saying...

 

Just to recap before I jump in:

What I've done so far:

1. Replaced all O2 sensors
2. Replaced wires and plugs
3. Replaced crankshaft sensor
4. Replaced fuel pump
5. Cleaned out MAF sensor
6. New Battery (purchased yesterday)
7. Tranny flush/new fluid

I had new ignition coils installed this week. Same problem, so I ran the codes again. Now I am getting back misfires on all 8 cylinders. Any suggestions?!!??