So, been reading thread after thread and think I am getting closer to where to look next but wanted to run it by the experts first. Back story is I just bought someone else's problem vehicle, which I know, you should never do...


2004 DII, 4.6
Previous owner put a new motor in it, some lift springs, shocks, etc, lots of good parts. Was driving it one day and it stopped. Just died. He had it towed, thought it might be fuel pump. Replaced fuel pump, no joy. Replaced fuel pump relay, no joy. Replaced starter (not sure why if it was cranking), no joy. Reset the inertia switch, no joy. Even jumpered the wires on the inertia, no joy. Changed crank pos sensor, no joy.


Current situation; still won't start. Cleaned and tightened battery contacts, checked grounds, checked all wiring, checked fuses, swapped relays, still won't start. Battery has plenty of voltage, and I even put the charger on it while cranking, no change.


So, I am thinking:
1. he bought a cheap CPS that is no good, Napa has a new one tomorrow I will try, but hate spending $100 on a new sensor when there is a new one already there....
2. xyz switch needs adjusted or rebuilt
3. key fob is held together by electrical tape and the buttons are not there anymore. Hell, the inside is barely there... (another thread search, I want 2 new keys) any chance this is the issue?
4. Has spark, smells like it is getting fuel, doesn't care if you give it a little hit of ether starting fluid.


Am I in the right area with CPS and XYZ?


Thanks in advance!


This is my sons first vehicle at 15, so we are excited to get it on the road!

 

Only thing "out of place" is these two wires on the drivers side of the trans, but I do not see anything down there where they might belong. Any ideas?

 

Supposedly a quick indicator of the xyz switch/ linkage is turn wipers on, put it in reverse. If rear wipers come on in reverse automatically the switch is good.

mine came on.

Every fuse is good.

CPS?

 

It may be that there are problems with both the crankshaft position sensor and the XYZ.

If it is getting either spark or fuel it is not a crankshaft position sensor problem. If the ECM is not getting a signal from the CKPS the ECM cuts off fuel and spark. By what method did you determine it's getting spark? The fact that it died while the previous owner was driving it indicates the CKPS. A lot of threads on this forum speak to being careful to install the CKPS correctly. I forget the order but if the spacers are not installed correctly the CKPS won't work. Crawl under the truck and double check the CKPS installation. You'll need 7mm and 8mm wrenches, I recall.

The fact that the M&S lights are flashing may indicate a problem with the XYZ switch regardless of the rear wiper test. But I don't think an XYZ problem is keeping your truck from starting. One of several symptoms of a bad XYZ is that the starter won't spin because the ECM doesn't know the trans is in Park (or Neutral). If your truck cranks when you turn the key (i.e. the starter spins the crankshaft) it's not the XYZ keeping it from starting.

Unfortunately, there are a dozen or so faults that can trigger the M&S lights to flash. To be certain it is a problem with the XYZ switch the codes need to be read. That said, another test of the XYZ is to move the shifter through its range and watch to see if the red LEDs on the shifter surround illuminate as they should and whether or not the PRND321 indicator in the instrument cluster next to the odometer illuminates as it should as the shifter is moved.

It is sad to read about all that the previous owner had done to this truck that probably didn't need to be done. A Rover specialist or this forum are invaluable if you own a Discovery.

 

I did not believe a bad cps will cause engine to die, but maybe it will. When my cps failed and left me stranded (engine off, short "heat soak") the M and S lights flashed all the way home after cooling and allowing a start.

 

I used an inline light up spark checker and even pulled a plug, stuck it back in the wire with it grounded and watched it spark.

Sensor is installed correctly. Sensor-spacers-nuts. There was a new sensor in it, and two used ones in the cargo area. I just picked up a better name brand one today and am probably going to try it.

But, you say if it has fuel and spark it can't be CPS?

When I turn the key forward and move the shifter, it illuminates correctly at the shifter as well as on the dash for P, R, N then when it goes into D it flashes. Is that an indicator of bad switch? It doesn't read 3,2,1...

Even if the xyz switch was bad it should still start, just be in limp mode, correct?

 

Between the several posts, you mention, "it smells like gas, doesn't care if you give it a little shot of ether, and has spark," to para-phrase. A long time ago, an old mechanic taught me you need three things to start an engine: fuel, spark and compression.

 

after reading your post (to myself) I was like "well no sh$&".

Checked compression just for s&g's... No bueno. Zero compression on the two I tried. Removed the oil fill neck and even though it's mostly covered I think I see the top of one rocker arm. Had te wife crank it, no movement.

Sounds like timing chain to me. (Pretty sure she has chain not gears...) Going to check a few more things but looks like the front cover is coming off soon.

 

Call me crazy, but this may have something to do with it.

 

What are the chances of kissed/bent valves now? Less than 2k on a new Cannibal motor supposedly. Super clean inside, crosshatch lines still look fresh.