Crank Shaft Position Sensor installed - STARTS GOOD
I installed the new crankshaft position sensor, and I believe my problem is solved.
I'm certainly no mechanic or expert, but below is some info on my experience. Also, here is a link to a short you tube video I found on replacing the crankshaft position sensor (CPS) on a Discovery 2; unfortunately this video does not address unplugging and plugging the connector back which is the most difficult part in my opinion (note: this is not my video, but I did find it helpful):
YouTube- D2 CPS install
I put the Discovery up on ramps to have better access to the crankshaft sensor (opposite the starter). I did not drop the exhaust as some others have suggested.
From underneath laying on a creeper, I removed the two bolts holding the cover using a 7mm socket, and then I removed the two sensor nuts using 8mm socket, and there was a spacer that slid off each bolt as well. Then I simply wiggled the old sensor out. All of this was pretty easy with no real problems.
Removing the connector was a different story. It took me a while to even figure out a way to get to this. Note, I have medium/average size hands (if my hands were any bigger, I'm not sure I could have done this at all), The connector is attached to a small bracket that is open on one side (I could see the bracket from underneath the truck). From the top of the car (standing on a small stool) under the hood, I could feel the connector with my hand slid down the fire wall just behind the manifold. By feel, I slid the connector out of the bracket (it is hard to see from the top), and then struggled with one hand to "pinch" the release on the plastic connector, and the other hand to pull the sensor wire connector out. After several unsuccessful attempts and much frustration, I was successful. To connect the new sensor, I continued from the top (the sensor was not yet installed, I wanted to get the connectors plugged in first before installing the sensor to give me some extra play while trying to plug the connectors in). I have seen other suggestions of putting the new crankshaft sensor connector plug into the bracket, and then plugging the harness plug into the sensor connector (using the bracket to hold the sensor connector) - I could not accomplish this, but maybe this is the easier method. I held the harness connector against something on the engine with one finger (couldn't really see what it was against), and used my other fingers and other had to push the sensor connector into the harness connector and somehow I got lucky and they snapped together. It took another ten minutes to get the connected connectors back into the bracket that holds them (apparently the bracket slides in between a groove where the two connectors meet (if this makes any sense)).
Once the new sensor was connected, I got back underneath the truck which was on ramps (plastic ramps are great and sure beat the old metal ones), and wiggled the new sensor in place, slid on the spacers and installed the nuts, and then the cover with bolts. Again, installing this sensor and cover was pretty easy, it was the connector that was the problem.
Total job was about an hour and a half. Most of this was due to the connector, and that it was very cold and my hands simply got numb (its hard to feel around an engine when you can't feel your fingertips).
I have started it about 10 times since in various situations (cold, warm, and hot) with no problems, and I assume all is good and that my problems was a failing sensor.
Thanks to everyone who helped!
Lee
00 D2 (that starts consistently now)