QuestionWe purchased a 1996 V8i ES Discovery August 2003 and have since suffered severe idling problems after approx 15/20 minutes of driving. Have had vehicle tuned, air-flow metre replaced (which made no difference) and finally a replacement ECU (not new) which rectified problem for 8 weeks and now it is happening again. Car will drop its idle when stationary then surge and drop until it stalls.
Any thoughts?
Regards Paul
AnswerHello Paul,
Very nice Disco but I'm sorry to read about your engine troubles. My '95 Disco had a similar problem. Like you, the dealer did not address the problem directly. They tried swapping in part after part. They even went so far as to say that the ECU had to be changed. That's when I started looking around to other mechanics for 2nd estimates. One Euro-mechanic (Volvo specialist) suggested that it might be the TPS (throttle position sensor). He could not perform the work but advised me to take my Disco to the dealer and have them repair it. By that time I had already spent over $2000 trying to solve the problem. Armed with this info, I went back to my dealer and insisted that they never SOLVED my problem. I insisted that the dealer's attempts had replaced parts that were not broken. I then told them about the TPS suggestion. Instead of re-imbursing me for over $2000 in futile work, the dealer replaced the TPS for free. Lo and behold...the irradic idle was solved.
If I were you, I'd be back to the dealer in a RAGING MOOD! I'm sure you must have paid at least $1000 for the 'used' ECU and still the problem was not resolved. I truly believe that these dealers enjoy racking up the price of servicing our Disco's. Insist that they either refund your ECU money OR SOLVE THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. You paid for a 'used' ECU when your old one was just fine. This is an example of 'swap and miss' auto repair and should not be allowed. If your dealer is unwilling to help you out, go to Land Rover North America and ask for help. Then approach your state consumer protection agency.
I learned my lesson and will not tolerate a service manager telling me what 'might' solve the problem. What they should have done was "temporarily install" parts to see if it solves the problem. If not, you count on the repair warranty to bring the Disco back for correct repair work.
I've helped other Disco owner's with the same type of racing idle problems. Its usually the TPS that is the source of the trouble. Cost is usually about $500 (labour and tax included).
Lastly, I've been told that instead of replacing the ECU, some dealers are able to 'reprogram' the original ECU...AFTER the TPS has been replaced. Go back to your dealer and ask them to investigate this for you - you've probably paid for it ----several times by now.
JohnMc
