QuestionHello John:
I have a 97 Discovery 4.0 L V-8 with 110,000 miles. Recently, it has developed some sort of electrical shorting problem which is intermittent, occuring about 50% of the time the engine is running. When it happens, it seems that nearly any new electrical load introduced by using a turn signal, pushing a window button, tapping the brake, etc. causes a short which dims everything, momentarily shutting off the radio which then resets.
Other recent symptoms possibly unrelated: the whining noise over the radio which tracks rpm increase/decrease discussed in this forum and suggested to possibly be the electrical body control unit. Also, just recently the intermittant rpm drop dicussed in this forum. The 4 or 5 times this occured in the past 90 days or so it usually just drops and passes. However, one time the engine would continually die with very low indicated rpm during idling and could only be driven home when manual application of more gas with sumultaneous braking could sustain the running at traffic stops.
Thanks for all of your help and expert advice!
Best Regards,
Gary
I
AnswerHi Gary,
you'll have to check all the grounding points on your Disco to make sure the contact is clean and sold. Corrosion of terminals and contacts are also common with our Disco's as they age.
I'd start with the alternator and work my way around the battery afterwards. One other area to check is both footwells inside the Disco. The passenger footwell is prone to corrosion due to the many water leaks that invade the area. Some owners have posted photos of badly corroded relay supports in those areas.
I believe the BCM is in behind the glove box.
The idle problem could be MAF related or perhaps the throttle position sensor. Coilpacks are also a possible cause to this type of problem. After checking the grounding points and relay areas, then you can start looking at the components mentioned.
Best of luck,
JohnMc
