Discovery Problems :(

[z00100]

Greetings,

This is my first post here, so please go easy on me.

I have a 2004 LR Discovery 7 Seater. Ever since i've owned the car, I haven't really had any major problems, but I've had "issues". Some of the issues I can deal with, some, I don't know.

For example, since about 1 year now, I can "hear" some sort of vibration in the car once the car is idling at a red light and the AC is turned on. If I turn off the AC then it goes away. I have figured out that this vibration is caused by the engine idling a bit higher and under load once the AC is on. The vibration sounds like 2 thick metal or plastic plates resonating against each other with the frequency of vibration of the engine. If I rev higher it goes away, only under idling does it appear.

Secondly I am facing some squeaking sounds from my front and rear suspension. Example: When I start the car in the morning (15C ambient temp), and drive away, I have to go over a speed **** near my house. If I drive fast enough so that the suspension has to compress and decompress a lot, I hear a grating sound. Sort of like as if 2 joints are not greased properly. This only happens in colder weather and dissapears if the suspension gets "warmed up" by driving a lot.

Thirdly, and this seems to be a major problem, is that my transmission jerks from first to second gear (I have an auto tranny). Shifts from 2 to 3 and 3 to 4 are smooth, but 1 to 2 jerks. I thought this could be because of a cold transmission, but it happens most when the transmission is cold, but happens also intermittently after driving for a while.

I hope you guys can help me out, because I really like my Disco and want to keep it.

Also just out of curiosity is getting 380-420 per full tank normal for my Disco?

And another thing. I had to change my battery and the Radio is locked out and asking for a code. I tried putting in the code that came with the small tab with my Keys, but it doesn't work. I have already inputted it 7 times (wrongly) and I have read that the 12th time is the last time and that not even the manufacturer can "restore" it back to working condition.

Regards,

 

[whiskeynipple]

first things first:
how many miles?
any modifications?
off-road alot?
how long have you owned the car/maintainence history?

item 1 - I have known some cars to develope this vibration when idling in drive with the AC on (after several years - 2 seems a little young)- of course if your hearing a sound possible a bracket is loose - (hence above questions)

item 2 - what type of suspension - (did the 04's have the air suspension?) - again something could be loose if you are hearing a clack when you approache the speed bump fast

item 3 - tranny - ug - you may want to have it looked at before it gets too bad - however I am certainly not the most knowledgeble on this forum - (what for more replies)

the radio thing - try contacting LR through customer support online with your vin - they seem to be pretty helpfull to me for recall items

 

[Eekie]

I also have an '04 Disco S (51K) and have the same exact things you have.

1.) Exhaust vibration might be loose cat guts or a heat shield. Start the truck, let it idle, chock the wheels and apply the ebrake (a rolling truck with you under it would F-up your day) and crawl uner the truck. Using a long screwdriver, push down on the heat shields and hold it against the cat. If its a sheild your pressure should stop it from vibrating and if it's the cat, you'll feel the screw driver vibrating in sync with the vibration noise in the cat. a spot weld or wire works wonders if it's a sheild

2.)The suspension creak might be shocks needing replaced. (see a recent thread that I posted a few days ago about the same thing) Mine does it over heavy bumbs in the road (ie speed bumps in parking lots).

3.) the tranny **** is more than likely because it's cold. When it's colder than 40 or 50 degrees in the morning I take it easy on the truck for the first 2 or 3 minutes on the road and let the tranny warm up a bit. After that It should shift fine from 1st to 2nd. Any vehicle that I had with a heavy duty drive train like the rover's were always hard shifters for a minute or two of driving until the tranny warmed up a bit. If it still jerks hard after a couple of minutes of driving or when the tranny is hot, get it checked....

Hope this helped a little.

 

[backpain]

How many miles are you getting per tank? If I touch 270 before the light comes on I'm happy. I recently sold my LR3 and am now driving the 2004 Disco SE7 all the time (what a difference - can you say sloooooooow steering?).

It's got the Trail 2 package, running boards and the BAB - Big Ass Bumper - up front. Rarely push over 3k on the tach and am generally under 70 in mixed driving.

 

[Eekie]

I can actually push about 300 out of a tank in my Disco but that is about the maximum. I try not to let her run below an 1/8 of a tank because you then run a chance of sucking dirt from the tank into the fuel system thus clogging up your fuel filter or worse yet getting a clogged injecter(s).