Hey Guys and Girls,

I am having an issue which I will attempt to describe in maximum detail.

About once a month my 95 3.9l V8i LR Discovery will take 3-5 seconds or multiple attempts to turn over. Most recently before this time, I was able to start her by just persistent cranking and finally it turned over. When this happens, I am generally fault-free for weeks.

Today, as I am loading my gear to take to the sports shop, the same thing happens. After several attempts, I come inside for research.

The Radio, lights and internals work fine.

It is not a clicking but rather a lack of full, self-sustaining crank.

I have located the Fuel safety switch and depressed it many times, the top rubber bubble seems loose, and I'm not sure I am hitting the intended button underneath.

My neighbor came over and mentioned he did not smell gas when I was cranking. I concurred.

I put spare gas, unfortunately regular, for our mowers in it and problem persists.

I located the appropriate fuses 6,7 for fuel pump, but I'm not sure how to remove them and don't want to risk breaking (in hopes she'll start tomorrow.)

I do have a tendency to run the tank low, as gas is expensive and I am not always flush.

The most significant time other than this that the failure to turnover happened, the body shop had her sitting for a few days, and when I went to pick it up, it would not start. Had to tow it home, and then it started up.

Please, please, please advise. I am trying to get to an interview tomorrow and any help is massively appreciated.

 

Let us agree on terms. "Turn over" is the act of the starter engaging the engine (not chattering) and making the crankshaft turn over, the serpantine belt will move at same time. Cranking would be considered equal to that. Starting and running or catching would be that fuel and spark meet at just the right time and the engine is turning under its own power after the starter is released from duty.

You should not smell a lot of gas. The fuel pump is only allowed to run for a few seconds if engine not running. There is a fuel pressure test port (like a tire valve) on the passenger side, check for 30 - 34 PSI when pump runs.

If no spark, could be ignition amplifier module.

 

Thank you;

Can you advise on how to check the fuse box under the hood? Do the fuses just pulls straight out / up with plyers?



Thanks

 

Mine do on a 97. There are also fuse links, which are bolted in.

 

Hey thanks for everything Savannah Buzz.

I got it to (for the time being) start up!

I triple-checked my sparkplugs and rotor cap and one of them was unsettled.

I removed and refastened all connectors.

Also, not sure if it matters but my ABS fuse was backwards, (Don't see why it wouldn't have been a problem 'til now.) I flipped that around. Also I pulled and reset my fuel injector and fuel pump fuses and tapped the safety release switch relentlessly.

Cocktail for success? We shall see.

Thanks again Savannah.