QuestionHi John,
I have a 95 discovery 120,000 and very well maintained. recently, the front passenger side door will not un-lock all the way. It appears as if the knob is not being pushed up high enough. Also, the rear windows only function once in a great while. Could this be a bad MAS window sensor or does my discovery have mad cow disease? The last item in need of repair is the power steering fluid canister has a leak, can I buy just a new can or must I buy the whole pump?
Thank you for your help. Joel
AnswerHello Joel,
I had a similar problem with the front doors on my '95 Disco. It happened one cold winter morning and eventually I had to remove the door panels and adjust the lock by carefully bending the appropriate piece. You'll have to study the LR locks by repeatedly locking and unlocking it with the panel off. This is the best way to see where you problem lies. The design is simple but your problem may not be exactly like mine. Watch how the rods are pushed and pulled as you lock/unlock your door. Make slight adjustments and be careful when you are bending those metal rods. I suspect over time the lock actuator begins to wear out. Just adjust rods to compensate for this.
As for you rear windows, I have a similar problem, especially on humid days - the rear windows are hard to operate from the main console. I can only speculate that the contacts within the switch have corroded and that contact may be hampered by dust/grime buildup. My windows work fine from the switches on the door. I guess I'll have to dismantle the switches and give them a good cleaning. Q-tips and alcohol are good. Compressed air is good too.
I have a '95 Disco with over 146,000 miles. I have a small leak around my power steering reservoir but my pump seems ok (knock on wood). I suspect my leak is with the hose that is attached. Last summer, I tightened the hose at the base of the reservoir. It seemed to work...for awhile. I have talked to other Disco owners and all agree that a new hose is usually required. Its hard to imagine the reservoir forming a leak. Consider the attaching hose first before buying a new reservoir. For my Disco, this is just another summer project waiting for me to address. I can control the leak but it eventually returns.
I don't think your have to change your pump. If you change the reservoir, you should also flush the entire power steering fluid. The reservoir is separate from the pump and should be easy to replace - if the problem is with the reservoir. Give the area an very good cleaning. Buy some engine cleaner and spray all around the area. Using a garden hose, carefully spray off the cleaner/gunk == BUT JUST AROUND OR BELOW THE RESERVOIR. You don't want pressurized water spraying all over you engine, especially near your alternator or spark amplifier module. Both are known to fail if they get wet and they are $$$ to replace!
Once the area is clean and dry, run you Disco to determine were the leak may lie. You could tape a sheet of paper towel around the base of your reservoir to see if it has a leak. A second sheet of paper towel could be wrapped around the connecting hose and taped securely. This will allow you to see quickly where the leak is coming from.
Best of luck,
JohnMC
