Land Rover Repair: Blinking overhead light, daytime running lights, marker light

Question
OK,

I am impressed by your answers on all the other questions but here's one for you.   I have 1997 Disco.  Recently the overhead light (the one that lights up when you open the door) started blinking 7 times when I opened drivers door (drivers door only)  It happend at the same time the radio started cutting off everytime the gear selector (automatic) was moved (any position other than 3-1) The radio would cut off momentarily and then come back on.   Thinking it was related to security system, I disconnected the battery for several seconds and reset the radio code.  That cleared up the shifter problem but light still blinks everytime driver door opened.  

Answer this one and I'll try you out on my check engine light question.

Thanks in advance.

Answer
Hi Steve,

I'm always up for a challenge:

Since our Disco's are wired in 'series' I'd say the overhead light is being affected by an electrical short either in your door security button OR somewhere in the security ECU / spider (immobiliser).  You mention your radio was affected so I'd examine that as well.  Inspect the Park/Neutral switch on the gearbox too...you never know exactly where the short is actually located until it fails completely.

For example, somehow the front right side marker light was shorted out - probably corroded terminal inside the connector.  Inside my Disco, I was seeing no overhead light, no radio light and no window panel lights.  For awhile, this was random but within a short time it became permanent.  Dealer charged my ~ $300 to replace a wiring harness and sidemarker socket.  That was 2 months ago and now I am having trouble with my daytime running lights, a must here in N.America.

I'd start inspecting all your wiring connectors for corrosion, you outside lights for any failures (look inside the connector for rust).  The Park/Neutral switch is on the topside of the gearbox and I am sure an expensive inspection repair bill.  If you're familiar with your radio and its wiring, you could remove this and ensure the wiring is not shorted and the solders are good.

Best of luck,

JohnMc

NB:  oh...and bring on that check engine light...