Hi guys,

I am a newbie to this forum but really need some advise with a problem that has been re-occuring with my wifes discovery II.
A couple of weeks ago my wife parked the car at a friends house and when she came back to start it, it wouldnt start. She called mobile mechanic service and when he arrived to check it, it started again so he checked battery and alternator and said they were fine so there was nothing he could do to diagnose any further because it was working.
My wife then drove it back home again which was fine.
Next day she starts it again drops the kids off at school, parks the car to do some quick shopping and tries to start it again and nothing.
Mobile mechanic arrives again after 1hr and it starts!!
She drives it again and said it also stalled on her at the traffic lights where she noticed the M & S lights come on in the dash when this occured. Was able to get it started quickly again though, and the lights dissapeared.
Have taken it to a mechanic friend and he also drove it for approx. 30min and car drove fine and after stopping it tried to start it but wouldnt start at the time. He put the machine on it and showed no codes. After approx. 1-2 hrs he tried to start it up again and low and behold its starting.
My mechanic friend is just as baffled as me, he doesnt specialise in Landrovers and is clueless because he didnt get any codes.
P.S Its a discovery II ES V8 model if this makes a difference.
Can any one please offer any suggestions?
Any information offered would be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou

 

The most common cause of this repeating dies- won't restart-cools down- starts normal-no codes is the crank position sensor. This device is mounted on the back of the engine on the driver's side. It is a magnetic pickup that generates pulses as the flywheel rotates, to tell the ECU how fast the engine is turning and when to supply sparks. About a $70 - $90 part. IF DIY, pay attention to spacers when removed and going back together, and plug in sensor before trying to mount the new one. Not a lot of space to work in. Here's some pages from the RAVE manual for you (and your mechanic). Pix is of the slotted ring on the front side of the flywheel that the sensor reads as those gaps fly by about 2 mm away. Flywheel has those gear teeth on the outer edge, the starter engages those. The inner ring with machined gaps is what is driving the crank position sensor. Spacing is critical, and many replacements don't work if spacers are put on kattywhompus.

One way to get out of the disabled vehicle problem is to pour cold water over the sensor, to speed up cooling off. A shade tree test to confirm this is the problem is to have a spare spark plug, when it happens, remove a plug wire, attach plug, lay on manifold, and crank. If no sparks, that confirms it.

BTW don't have SWMBO hold the plug while testing, she's already fired up enough. And hey, now we know what would make a great Valentine's Day present - a repaired Disco!

 

Thanks heaps Savannah Buzz!!Great detailed reponse man!!!!!
Will pass info on to my mechanic.
Cant thankyou enough!!

 

You dont say how many miles are on the truck but if they are over 70,000 replace the crank sensor.

 

Thankyou spike555.
Your input is very much appreciated.

 

Savannah, you're an all-star dude. You're so willing to help everyone

 

Thanks. It's fun to visit with people all around the world who are interested in the same thing (a Rover that moves under its' own power). But Mike & Spike and thousands of others make this forum work for everyone. Most guys on here would help anyone, anytime.