Land Rover Repair: starting problems, fuel air mixture, starter solenoid

Question
I have a 96 discovery with 86,000 miles.  When I start it for the first time that day, it starts on the first “crank”.  After it has been driven, I have to try to start it several times and almost always starts on the 3rd try.   In addition, when I pull it into my garage after being driven I can often smell gas.  Do you think these problems are related and are they  something I should be concerned about?


Answer
Hi Kevin,

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Kevin, in addition to the info I sent this morning, I forgot to mention you can determine if it is your "spider" immobiliser that is causing this problem.  The spider controls if, when and how the vehicle starts.  If you are having starting problems it could be the beginning of the end of your starter motor too!  SO...if the Disco won't start, remove the lead wire from the starter solenoid and measure the voltage with a multimeter.  If there is 12 volts present on the lead wire then you have a starter problem.  If there is less or none then it could be the 'spider'.

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sounds like it could be flooding or running too rich during normal operations.

When is the last time you changed your spark plugs, wires and performed a general tune-up?  

If it is running too rich (too much fuel in the fuel/air mixture ratio) you could experience this problem along with hesitation and power loss.

IF you have a sparking problem, it could be the spark amplifier module.  The fuel is just not being completely ignited.  Looking at your spark plugs should tell you if this is the case.  They would be black or even wet looking instead of the normal grey - ash grey/brown colour.

What troubles me is that the initial start is problem free.  If its a programming problem with your ECU, you'll have to take it to your local LR dealer and have them reset your ECU.  Sometimes this can clear up any glitches in the ignition system.  

Then there are the many sensors that can fail and trick the ECU into feeding the fuel incorrectly.

So, to answer your question, YES I think the smell of fuel and your starting problem are probably connected.

I wish you luck with this,

JohnMc