Disco 2 turns over, but doesn't start

HI there. New to your forum and need help.
2000 Discovery 2 ran perfect last night. This morning, wife went to start, hazard lights came on, car turned over fine with plenty of energy, but has not started in 15-20 attempts. Can not turn hazards off, kind of strange.
Please share cure for starting car if known. THANKS!!!

Try reseting the switch that is located on the pass side fire wall, it may have tripped itself and needs to be reset. If that doesn't work, get back to me.
Mike

Thanks. I apologize for my lack of knowledge, but could you be more specific on the location of this switch and how I reset it. Thanks for your speedy reply.

I pulled the fuse for my hazards to save the battery. Presed the button that sits alone under the hood on pass firewall, just opposite the glove campartment. Still won't start, but has plenty of energy to turn over. Fuel guage still correct.

The security system sometimes flakes out. Try locking and then unlocking the vehicle with the remote first. Then try to start it. If no-go, then from the outside try locking and then unlocking the vehicle with the key. And then try to start it.

Regards,
Geoman
www.eurotekapg.com

quote:

ORIGINAL: geoman

The security system sometimes flakes out. Try locking and then unlocking the vehicle with the remote first. Then try to start it. If no-go, then from the outside try locking and then unlocking the vehicle with the key. And then try to start it.

Regards,
Geoman
www.eurotekapg.com

Do the lock and unlock 3 times slowly with either the key or the remotem then try starting the engine.
Mike

Thanks Mike and Geoman!!
Unfortunately the lock thing did not work out.
However, re-tracing my steps the last 24 hours, I did fill the tank yesterday morning.
I was able to put 22.5 gallons in it with a capacity of 25 gallons. Normally, I can only put 18-20 gallons in it.
Perhaps letting it get that low allowed sediment to clog filter or injectors?
Does this sound reasonable? If so, what is my next step?
Thanks so much!!
Kevin

Well, your Disco II does not have a external fuel filter-- only a "sock" filter on the fuel pump which is immersed in the fuel tank.

You are saying that the engine cranks over just fine, but does not even make any attempt at starting? Have the wife turn the key to the on position (not all the way to the start position) while you listen at the fuel tank in back. You should hear a "whine" from the electric pump for a few seconds---until it builds pressure. If no noise--- then possibly you lost the fuel pump.

regards,
Geoman

Thanks. I'll try that asap. What about spark plugs?
Thanks again, Kevin

Do you have a check engine light on?
Mike

Almost ALWAYS!! It was on before this issue came up.
Thanks

Kevin,

I didn't know you had a CEL illuminated. This changes things. If possible, you should borrow a OBDII scanner and plug it in to retrieve the stored codes. Your no-start condition could be a bad camshaft sensor. It's possible that it threw the error code as it was failing (as you said the light has been on for some time), and now failed completely ---which will prevent the engine from starting. This sensor is known for failing.

regards,
Geoman

Yes. Sorry I did not mention the light, as I have grown accustomed to it being on most all of the time.
I will see if I can borrow the scanner.
One guy at Land Rover Frisco said it was fuel or fire, meaning if I have sparks from the plugs, it is a fuel issue. And, if no sparks, that's the problem. Does this sound likely to you guys?
Thanks,
Kevin

Yep!--- ya need three things to generate internal combustion --- air,fuel, and spark.

Unfortunately ---these days it is somewhat more difficult to verify the presence of the last two.

Try this:

Listen for the "whine" as I stated earlier from the fuel pump--for that first couple of seconds after turning the key only to the "on" position.

Then pull one spark plug-- re-attach the spark plug wire, and lay the plug on the exhaust manifold (threaded section of the plug contacting the manifold). Then with someone cranking the engine over --look at the spark plug tip for evidence of a spark. This won't work in sunlight, so hopefully your vehicle is in the garage.

Let us know what you find.

regards,
Geoman

Thanks. Will try both. I will have to wait til dark in Texas, but will reply tonight.
Thanks again!! Kevin

We tried to do the suggestion of listening for the "whine" If it is really faint, I think I have a "whine", however, there is alot of noise around our house right now, construction, etc...
Will try that again this evening along with the spark plug bit.
Thanks, Kevin

quote:

ORIGINAL: geoman

Well, your Disco II does not have a external fuel filter-- only a "sock" filter on the fuel pump which is immersed in the fuel tank.

You are saying that the engine cranks over just fine, but does not even make any attempt at starting? Have the wife turn the key to the on position (not all the way to the start position) while you listen at the fuel tank in back. You should hear a "whine" from the electric pump for a few seconds---until it builds pressure. If no noise--- then possibly you lost the fuel pump.

regards,
Geoman

Would it do me any good to put fuel injector cleaner in if the vehicle does not start?
Thanks

No ---the injection cleaner works only when being circulated. Did you check for spark last night?

regards,
Geoman

Will check spark tonight. Timing has not been good to test it (needing 2 people). Will let you know tonight or tomorrow.
Thanks

quote:

ORIGINAL: geoman

No ---the injection cleaner works only when being circulated. Did you check for spark last night?

regards,
Geoman

Is it possible to "blow" through the injectors in case they are clogged with sediment from my low tank?
Thanks!!

quote:

ORIGINAL: golfman

Thanks Mike and Geoman!!
Unfortunately the lock thing did not work out.
However, re-tracing my steps the last 24 hours, I did fill the tank yesterday morning.
I was able to put 22.5 gallons in it with a capacity of 25 gallons. Normally, I can only put 18-20 gallons in it.
Perhaps letting it get that low allowed sediment to clog filter or injectors?
Does this sound reasonable? If so, what is my next step?
Thanks so much!!
Kevin

First of all-- there is very little chance that your injectors are clogged, and causing the no-start condition. On rare ocassions, there will be one injector that is "sticking" and causing a rough running condition. This can often be cleared up by running a strong injection cleaner through the system. "Blowing through" the system is not possible as the injectors are opened by a electrical pulse to un-seat the pintle. Pressure alone will not open the injectors. If you suspect lack of fuel pressure being the cause of your no-start, the best approach is to fit a pressure gage to the system, turn the key to the on position, and see what the gage says.

My suspicion is that you have either a bad fuel pump, or a failed camshaft sensor.

regards,
Geoman

Thanks.
Still trying to figure it out.
Do you have any thoughts of the irony of the last time I drove it, I filled a really low gas tank?
Normally, I can get 19-20 gallons in it, but this time, 22.5.
The next morning it would not start.
Could this just be a coincedence?
Thanks,
Kevin

Kevin,

Never saw a response from you about checking for ignition spark. To answer your question about coincidence ---there is a possibility that you had crud on the bottom of the tank, and then this deposited itself on the sock filter in the tank. That is why I told you to perform a fuel injection pressure test with a gage.

regards,
Geoman

Thanks again.
Finally, today, got a spark plug out. Will check after dark and let you know status.
No guage and hoping not to tow.
Thanks, Kevin

OK. We have spark, for sure.
The Rover has sat for one week now, so the battery died. However, while using cables, we cranked to at least see spark. Then, I put my ear against the underside of the fuel tank and had the wife turn it to on position. No "whirring" sound, unless it is so faint I can't make it out. Your advice is appreciated. Thanks,
Kevin