ChrisB

How old is the battery - ISTR the calcium batts have a 4 year warranty? Chris

If you put 12v across the solenoid now, does it click or work properly?

If you get 10.5v bulbholder --> battery, what do you get across the battery terminals? It sounds much like Tetsu0san says, that contacts in a connector are corroded giving high resistance connections. Just a thought - visually inspect the wiring around the bulb holder. The previous owner of my disco had installed high-wattage bulbs and with the poor contacts (which get reeeely hot) melted the wiring and plastic bits in the loom.

I'd leave it to charge and see what it measures when you disconnect the charger. Make sure you don't cook the battery - top it up with distilled water if required before charging. I suspect that your charger tries to auto-sense whether it is a bike or car battery and sets charging parameters accordingly. By connecting it to another 12v battery it selects the 12v settings and begins to charge. Don't leave the second battery connected for longer than necessary, and make sure you charge it again (separately) afterwards.

What happens if you disconnect the battery from vehicle and measure? And then try charging (using your jump lead method if necessary). I've seen alternator failure which results in a load being placed on the battery.

Likely the 11.8v is a high resistance path to earth. Have you checked with meter between bulb supply & battery negative terminal?

Definitely take it to Uni if you can possibly find somewhere to park. Insurance-wise, how a bout a 4x4 specialist limited mileage policy - Excellent for letting you drive when you need to, but keeping the cost down if it's only a few miles every so often. I have a 5k mile policy on my Disco to keep the cost down (I've got 3 claims in 5 years, and it's modified as most old Discos are) It knocked my premium down by 40%. I use it as my daily driver, but I work 4 days a week and it's a 10 mile round-trip. That leaves plenty for trips to the dump, B&Q and getting everyone about in the snow. then there's the extra 500 miles from the 10% odometer under-read as a by product of the 235/85s! Chris

I would strongly suggest avoiding Berkshire Land Rover if at all possible. PM if more details are required. Chris

Costco - 20litre containers for £18 at the moment.

Jason, did you get your recent HIDs from the bay, dealextreme or somewhere else? Any chance of a linky please? Thanks Chris

Unlikely to be lift pump - mine ran on diesel without a functioning one with no problems. Has it ever been run on veg? Strongly recommend fresh diesel can rigged to FIP to check for problems with existing fuel supply. Also check connection to stop solenoid is sound - worth using 12v directly to it to eliminate any problems. Mine kept working loose / dirty connection, took me ages of mucking around with fuel etc, fixed in 30s with a new crimp terminal. Chris

Picking up the point about any other work to do at the same time, If your axle seals are leaking, check that the axle case breather isn't blocked. Disconnect it from the axle case and then blow down the tube, ideally with compressed air, but check it's clear anyhow.

I haven't had any fan cooling on my 300tdi auto discovery for about 3 years. Never had a problem with overheating, although it's rarely used for anything more strenuous than taking me to work (5 miles) nowdays. I did check the thermostat worked ok before removing the fan, probably worth changing yours first too. (Changing is worthwhile as they're so cheap.) Chris

Another vote for Challenger 4x4. Chris

I too went to Halfords today, bought Hammerite special metals primer - 30% ish off, and a tub of copper ease - 50% off with trade card. However they don't stock small ID vacuum tubing in any sensible length. I need 10ft or so to replace all the perished pipe for the cruise control on the disco.

Is it an EDC model? If it is, sounds like throttle position sensor problem.

If by Flag you mean the ones where you can piggyback another terminal onto the back of it, then CPC have them in their special offers at the moment. Just bought a bag as they were very cheap. Watch out for postage though - might be more than the terminals!

I used Toolstation black hammer finish paint yesterday to cover up my nasty welding rustproof some MOT repairs. It was definately black in the tin, black on the brush and black on the disco. It's still black this morning! TS do a silver paint of the same type though - mislabelled tin perhaps? Chris.

I currently have 3 cars on one policy with the NFU. I'm able to specify the main driver for each one in order to accrue no-claims years appropriately. As always, not all NFU branches are the same! I use Chippenham. Chris

Can anyone enlighten me at all as to the fittings on a disco auto box cooler of the flat rectangular type please? Thanks Chris

And if that doesn't work, try someone else's local office until it does! I got far more out of the Chippenham office, despite living in Reading. My local office was good if you only spoke Polish, but not for much else. Chris

It doesn't install natively. Id didn't easily work with WINE for me , although I'm no expert at all and didn't spend time trying to fix it. I run a Windows XP VM for stuff like microcat and the work SSL VPN (which only works with internet explorer). Sorry I can't be of any more help. Chris

A few simple checks (assuming you have a volt/multimeter!): What is the battery voltage before starting after being off overnight? What is the battery voltage immediately after starting (within 30s)? Immediately after starting, what is the voltage with positive lead on alternator casing, and negative lead on negative battery terminal? Post up some voltages and we can help further :-) Chris

This happened to me frequently last year. Remove the plastic cowling, and gently tap the lock with a hammer & screwdriver. you could try inserting the key and gently tapping the end of it. Eventually the lock will not release anymore, and will need replacement. My '98 Disco is on its 3rd lock already. Removal of the lock is fairly easy with something sharp (drill bit?) to bite into the headless bolts as you tap them undone. Chris

Not sure which I'd prefer loosing the bonnet, or doing 70 in an old 90! Chris