Disco 1 that can't be fixed???

[Aremee]

I have a beautiful 97 Disco 1 80K. Always has ran great. Battery kept going dead, trouble shoot-removed battery, used test light pulled out each fuse while light was connected. Discovered Alternator had draw-it was bad. After hooking battery back up truck doesn't start. No spark, no fuel, but turns over. Checked all fuses fine. Replaced Alt, and battery to be safe. Nothing. Replaced ECM stil doesn't start. Brought to Mechanic to troubleshoot tells me he can't fix it, he's been trying for three weeks. Said he has never NOT been able to troubleshoot an electrical problem, and knows Rovers. He's at the end of the line. I am thinking I might just sell the thing for parts. I have never experienced a car that can't be fixed until now. Any ideas? We tried two different ECM thinking the first one was bad, but what is the chance three are bad? Almost ZERO. I have manuals on DISC can't get this thing going. Its a complete mystery. five weeks without my rover, a horror story.

 

[joey]

Did you use the Testbook (LR specific computer) to reprogram the ECM? If not put the original back in and lock/unlock the doors 4 times with the key and it should start.

 

[Aremee]

I really appreciate the advice I tried unlocking and locking the doors/locks 4 times, didn't work. What about the crank sensor? Could this cause the problem? Everyone is at a loss here to figure this out. Even an experiences LR mechanic is frustrated and has given up. ECM, no. Body Control module, no. Alarm spider box no-truck wouldn't crank if it was alarm. Cranks over but no fuel and no spark. Extremely frustrating not to be able to figure this out.

 

[joey]

What does the computer (Testbook) show? Or is this available? Sounds to me like either the alarm is having issues or something shorted out. I would bet on the alarm, they are not the best designed thing on the LR.

 

[Aremee]

What does the computer (Testbook) show? Or is this available? Sounds to me like either the alarm is having issues or something shorted out. I would bet on the alarm, they are not the best designed thing on the LR.

Alarm issues, that is what I initially thought. But the RAVE service manual indicates that if it was the alarm box, the car wouldn't even crank over, and I have power to the starter. No spark and no fuel pressure at the rails. There is also a 2-3 second delay when I turn the key until the starter engages. It probably is something relatively simple since all we did was remove some fuses and the battery to test where an electrical draw was coming from. This is one for the textbooks! I am trying like heck to avoid having thing sent to the dealer-50 miles away.

 

[joey]

You unhooked the battery.... check the wire that goes to the fuse box under the hood to make sure it isn't broken, also I would take that fuse box apart and clean out any corrosion.

Sorry I didn't think of this sooner, but the above is probably the issue. I have seen this a couple of times.

 

[Aremee]

You unhooked the battery.... check the wire that goes to the fuse box under the hood to make sure it isn't broken, also I would take that fuse box apart and clean out any corrosion.

Sorry I didn't think of this sooner, but the above is probably the issue. I have seen this a couple of times.

I didn't try cleaning the corrosion off the fuse box. Sounds reasonable. Why would it have worked fine until the battery was disconnected? That is the mystery here. Truck is perfect, ran fine, no issues at all. Disconnect battery, pull some fuses I have a nightmare! I have the feeling it is something extremely simple. But the tech can't even communicate with the computer/ECm when he hooks up the code reader. I know about cars, and my mechanic knows far more than me, this truck is like a rubic cube right now-no one can figure out the problem! I'll try cleaning the fuse box see what happens. There is some serious corrosion on the lead going into the under hood main fuse box. Lets see what happens. I really appreicate everyones assistance.

 

[Aremee]

Cleaned everything going to the main fuse box, still doesn't start! :{

 

[joey]

Asked a very good knowledgeable LR Tech about this and his response is:

"When you turn the key to II, does the check engine light come on?

 

[Aremee]

5 weeks later turns out it was a bad fuse connection at the number three fuse, no power to the ECm and Alarm ECM. Bizarre situation to make matters even more difficult, the Check engine light bulb was blown out so when the car was being cranked no CEL, dealer tried to charge me for 7 hours at $105, even though I didn't approve any more than 2 hours diagnostic. Paid him for two hours, my Rover is in the garage and runs fine now!