rjsdavis Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Hi all Yesterday, I had a strange and new experience with the Disco. I parked up and stopped the engine, left the family in the car, as I was only very briefly stopping in a shop. Was away from the car for 4-6 minutes max. The car had had a "proper" drive previously (of some 30+ miles), and was properly warm - with no previous ill effects..... When I came back in started the car, she missed the first time. Took the key back round to start and did it again. She started. Moved her in D, and pulled away. She seemed slow to actually start moving, although I didn't immediately notice this as anything really untoward. When I say this, I mean, that she just seemed slower to react to the throttle than normal. Pulled onto a single carriageway, and then noticed that the green "S" and "M" lights were flashing on the dahsboard. I know that one is "Sport" mode, but didn't know what the other one was. I looked down and the "D" lights on the auto-box itself was also flashing - and I became more than a little concerned! I couldn't safely pull over for about half-a-mile, but she made this ok. I pulled up, shut down the car, removed the car, locked and then re-opened the doors (to simulate a full shut down), and then restarted. She was fine - no repeat of the behaviour at all, and nothing since. No flashing lights, and no further problems. Whilst I don't want to go looking for trouble as it were, I am concerned as to what this might be indicating as a problem, and if this is something that does need addressing, I would like to - it's the family transport and I would rather not have it leave my wife/children abandoned somewhere! If anyone knows what this problem indicates / could lead to, it would be very much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 The flashing lights indicate a gearbox fault. You need to plug it into a diagnostic computer and read off the fault codes to see where to go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin31031961 Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Hi well i've had the same problem, the lights flash and then no power , i also noticed that the sports box does not work from that moment and will not illuminate. I've had the car in twice and although they had it on there computers "nothing" everything a ok, i'm pulling a caravan on my holidays and approached a roundabout only to find very little power and crawled away from the exit. I had an oil leak on my gearbox which is now fixed but the problem is getting worse..............................if it's the geabox fault it should show shouldnt it? someone must know what it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Yes if it is a gearbox fault it should show on the computer although certain fault codes will clear after a number of drive cycles (ignition on, start, run, off) without the fault recurring, so you would need to get to the computer asap after it occurs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJIbex Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 When M&S lights are flashing the auto box will only use 2nd & 3rd (limp home) hence why it feels sluggish to pull away. Does it disappear on cycling the ignition and only come back when a gear is selected? Does it come on every time you drive or intermitantly? Does it come on just after selecting gear or when pulling away, or in the middle of a journey? Do all the positions of the auto box selector feel positive, or is the lever especially tight or slack in places? Try starting in neutral and then going to drive (ie don't use park in an ignition cycle). If this seems to stop it then maybe the gear lever position indicator and gearbox actual position do not match up, and confuses the gearbox ECU. Mositure in the connectors for the gearbox ECU can also cause faults. Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin31031961 Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Hi well i've had the same problem, the lights flash and then no power , i also noticed that the sports box does not work from that moment and will not illuminate. I've had the car in twice and although they had it on there computers "nothing" everything a ok, i'm pulling a caravan on my holidays and approached a roundabout only to find very little power and crawled away from the exit.I had an oil leak on my gearbox which is now fixed but the problem is getting worse..............................if it's the geabox fault it should show shouldnt it? someone must know what it is Hi , thanks for that i think we are getting somewhere, would it make any difference when the gearbox gets warm? also now i cannot get neutral !!! i phoned my local "Landrover" dealer to be told by a sales person "What do you exspect it is 5 yrs old" we are now on disco 3 and the old 2 is just that!!!!! nice. I have been told it does resort to 3rd gear and that explains the power loss, will this do any harm to the car as is? if we don't find the fault before our holidays ? B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin31031961 Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 When M&S lights are flashing the auto box will only use 2nd & 3rd (limp home) hence why it feels sluggish to pull away.Does it disappear on cycling the ignition and only come back when a gear is selected? Does it come on every time you drive or intermitantly? Does it come on just after selecting gear or when pulling away, or in the middle of a journey? Do all the positions of the auto box selector feel positive, or is the lever especially tight or slack in places? Try starting in neutral and then going to drive (ie don't use park in an ignition cycle). If this seems to stop it then maybe the gear lever position indicator and gearbox actual position do not match up, and confuses the gearbox ECU. Mositure in the connectors for the gearbox ECU can also cause faults. Mark. Mark hi, the first time it happened was on a short journey home less than 3 miles, i pulled up at a junction tryed to turn right no power then it happened again while on holiday going to whitby , the roads twist and turn somewhat, both "S" and the "m" flashed then no power the sports box would then not work,but the most seriouse was when i had my caravan 26ft was being pulled i arrived at a very busy island tryed to pull away nothing no power crawled around the island found a layby reset then it was ok all the way home Could it really be that simple and is it a diy job? and thanks for you taking the time with this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 i phoned my local "Landrover" dealer to be told by a sales person "What do you exspect it is 5 yrs old" we are now on disco 3 and the old 2 is just that!!!!! nice.I have been told it does resort to 3rd gear and that explains the power loss, will this do any harm to the car as is? if we don't find the fault before our holidays ? B) Unbelievable. My reply would have been that a 5 y o D2 will have broken down a lot less than a 2 y o D3 in the time since it left the factory! I think the main risk to running in "limp home mode" is that a lot more strain will be put on the torque converter, and possibly because of this the oil temp might become a problem. I certainly wouldn't plan to drive it a long way like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestv8 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 The M&S lights flashing indicate one of three potential problems: 1. Over torque condition, which can happen if you have fitted a "chip" to your ECU to produce more power. 2. Corroded or loose earth terminals going to the auto gearbox - the airconditioning condensate can cause corrosion to the terminals 3. Dying starting battery - the gearbox is sensitive to drop in voltages, and the Discovery II uses lead calcium batteries (14V). So if you have replaced your batter with a lead acid battery (12V) and it is getting a bit flat, this will cause the M&S lights to flash. Load test your battery to find out it's condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ally V8 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 The M&S lights flashing indicate one of three potential problems:1. Over torque condition, which can happen if you have fitted a "chip" to your ECU to produce more power. 2. Corroded or loose earth terminals going to the auto gearbox - the airconditioning condensate can cause corrosion to the terminals 3. Dying starting battery - the gearbox is sensitive to drop in voltages, and the Discovery II uses lead calcium batteries (14V). So if you have replaced your batter with a lead acid battery (12V) and it is getting a bit flat, this will cause the M&S lights to flash. Load test your battery to find out it's condition. Only 3 possibilities ? If only it were that easy......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjsdavis Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 The M&S lights flashing indicate one of three potential problems:1. Over torque condition, which can happen if you have fitted a "chip" to your ECU to produce more power. 2. Corroded or loose earth terminals going to the auto gearbox - the airconditioning condensate can cause corrosion to the terminals 3. Dying starting battery - the gearbox is sensitive to drop in voltages, and the Discovery II uses lead calcium batteries (14V). So if you have replaced your batter with a lead acid battery (12V) and it is getting a bit flat, this will cause the M&S lights to flash. Load test your battery to find out it's condition. Hi tempest It's been suggested several times that the battery becomming old is the first thing to check and attempt to discount... How do you load test the battery in the way you've suggested? Is this something I can do myself, or can this only be done by a mechanic / motor factor with one of those battery voltage tools? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Where are you ? I'm sure there must be a Land Rover specialist in the area who could take a look at it without either charging you a fortune or looking down their nose at your "ancient" 5yo car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjsdavis Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Where are you ? I'm sure there must be a Land Rover specialist in the area who could take a look at it without either charging you a fortune or looking down their nose at your "ancient" 5yo car. Hiya - near Canterbury, Kent. Only real option is main dealer in Canterbury, but they would defo charge me a small fortune. I've always been on the hunt for a former main dealer trained technician that has set up shop on their own to beat dealer prices.... not that's always a good thing! Some main dealer tech's are SH***! Therefore, always looking for tech's that are user recommened and have a great reputation for knowing what they are doing - we really ought to have a dealer / independent review system here on this forum shouldn't we, so that we can all share our experiences? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestv8 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Hi tempestIt's been suggested several times that the battery becomming old is the first thing to check and attempt to discount... How do you load test the battery in the way you've suggested? Is this something I can do myself, or can this only be done by a mechanic / motor factor with one of those battery voltage tools? You need to find a battery specialist who has a battery tester - they will have what looks like a large handheld multimeter with alligator clips for positive and negative, attach your battery to it. The good units even have an input for the CCA and Amp/hr values from your battery label. Hit the test button and it will say pass or fail. Could look something like this: or Simply measuring the voltage isn't good enough for a battery test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin31031961 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Where are you ? I'm sure there must be a Land Rover specialist in the area who could take a look at it without either charging you a fortune or looking down their nose at your "ancient" 5yo car. thanks for all your help, i think i might from your solutions get it sorted but i really do mean thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin31031961 Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Ok at last i think we are getting somewhere,when i have my caravan and also when i travelled to Whitby without caravan i may add, the gearbox was working hard and i should imagine getting hot,would this be the answer if so and the gearbox is getting hot and causing the problem ......................any answers please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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