I have a 96 Disco and it will not start once it gets hot, if it is hot outside. It will start if I shut it off and start it back up immediately, but if I let it set for 10 minutes or so it will not start until, I open the hood and let the engine cool down. The motor is not running hot, I have replaced the Fuel Temp Sensor, fuel and air filter, all fluids are full and fresh. It starts just fine even with a hot motor if it is below 80 degrees. It is very frustrating Thanks for any help!

 

jason,
I am assuming it's cranking and not starting and not a "no crank" condition. The first thing you must do is isolate if the problem is a "no spark" or "no fuel" or both condition. If it's both, you probably have a bad CKP (crank) sensor. It could be vapor lock, although that's not common with FI vehicles. Determine which it is and we can work from there. ibis1

 

The problem really acts like an old fashion vapor lock situation, but I was not aware that fuel injected motors still did that. I am still getting spark just not fuel and when i do get fuel it sputters for a hundred yards or so until it gets a full dose of fuel and kicks in fine and runs like a champ after that. Any suggestions to try to fix vapor lock in modern times, it's worth a try?? Thanks!

 

jason,
Get a good jumper wire and the next time it acts up, jump (battery voltage) to terminal number 1 of the inertia switch connector. (connector off) This applies full battery voltage to the fuel pump, if it runs fine you have a excessive voltage drop in the fuel pump circuit, which now would be easy to isolate. ibis1

 

Ibis I dont want to sound stupid but where is the inertia switch connector located? I am sure I can find it if you point me in the right direction and I use some web resources. Thanks so much Jason

 

mine is doing the same thing i'm trying to run down the problem

 

jason,

The inertia switch is mounted to the firewall on the passenger side of the vehicle. It's a 3 way connector with 2 white/purple wires. ibis1

 

Whaaattt????

Glow plugs....Mercedes dealer.....

I thought the 96 DI was a gas burner, and if it is then glow plugs are a non-issue...besides, if it is a diesel engine they like to start when warm...it's cold conditions when you would need the glow plugs anyway...just saying???

 

Ozark,

I didn't know what to make of that. I thought he must be joking, we're talking about checking for spark and he's talking glow plugs. They use a lot of diesel's in other markets, he may have flown right past my post. Keep working on the Old Girl. ibis1

 

my 97 disco is doing the same thing, i'm still trying to figure it out myself. although i did find that if you depress the schraeder in the fuel line, it will release the vapor and will start up afterwards. be carefull though, hot vapors and hot engine could be bad...