Recently bought a 2003 Discovery.The driver door won't lock .the other doors lock and unlock with the dash buttons.The key was chewed up by the previous owner's dog,but I had a local locksmith make another without a circuit board.It's been starting and running fine using the new key. Two days ago it started but ran rough and the service engine light was flashing.After about 30 seconds it stalled and wouldn't restart.It will crank and you can smell fuel,but there is no spark.I switched relays just to check ,but no difference.A friend checked for codes and it shows a problem with the alarm (out of range) but there is no alarm light flashing on the dash. Suggestions for a newbee?

 

Try locking and unlocking at the drivers door and starting if possible.

Check the inertia switch on the passenger firewall and press down on the top to make sure it wasn't triggered.

 

I tried the inertia switch.The driver's side door is unlocked permanently so i can't try that. Up until two days ago,it started and ran fine using a generic key.

 

There is no chip in the key so it doesn't matter if it has the clicker or not. The locking and unlocking of the drivers do will reset the alarm if that is indeed your problem. Usually (I think) the car will honk when you try and start it if that is the case.

Do you by chance have the exact trouble code numbers?

 

I'll try to get the exact code.It referred to the alarm as being out of range.As stated,the driver's door is permanently unlocked.Turning the key does nothing.The ?****? stays in the unlocked position.

 

Okay let's take a step back and start from square one.

1) Spark. How did you check for spark? Did you take a spark plug still in the boot and put it close to the manifold? Try and check in the dark, sometimes the spark can be hard to see in the light. Also, check for spark on cylinders 1&2 make sure one coil pack isn't dead.

2) Fuel- You say you smell fuel, but you need to test the pressure at the schrader valve to make sure the pressure is good.

3) It could be a failed Crank Position Sensor. Very similar symptoms, except it usually dies when the car is hot and you can restart it for a few minutes after it cools, but it will kill the spark like you are getting. It's not a very expensive part (by Rover standards) and might be worth replacing to see if it helps. I hate telling people to throw parts at a problem but I don't have much to go on here.

Info on the crank position sensor.
crankshaft position sensor.pdf

 

Thanks for the suggestions.I'm no mechanic,but A good friend is and he'll check it out next week.I'll keep you posted.PS definitely no spark. What should the fuel pressure read?

 

Have you checked all of you vacuum lines to make sure one isn't disconnected? If you have one totally broke or disconnected is won't allow the engine to start or stay running.

I believe the fuel pressure should read around 3.5 bar (50 lbf.in2). This video will help explain how to test fuel pressure. It is for a different car but it shows you the shrader valve and how to hook you the gauge and test. All you need to do is the first part of the test without starting (since you can't start it)