Auto box and electrical gremlins..any suggestions?

Hi Guys...seems that it never rains but it pours.

Went to start the D2 V8 beastie Sunday morning after not having driven it on Saturday and the battery was flat. It showed 11.5 v and wouldnt turn the V8 over. I got a jump start so I could take it down to the guy I bought the battery off 7 weeks ago ready to give him a talking to, I checked the voltage at the terminals with the engine running and its 13.4 v is that correct?

When I went to move off I spotted the flashing M & S lights on the dashboard. The owners manual says it is an electrical fault with the gearbox and to turn the vehicle off and restart. If it continues, seek help urgently! This seems to have put the car into limp home mode as I only get D and R on the dash, with the D flashing. Driving the vehicle shows me that I am stuck in third gear. It wont drop into top gear and wont start off in 1st. I did a search on this forum for M&S light faults and came up with a couple of simple easy to do suggestions that I will try, but no definitive answer. As the nearest dealer is now 900 klms away, I wondered if anyone thinks they may be linked, or can suggest something a little more probable than clunking back and forth between R and D a few times or scraping the paint of the earth strap bolt.

when this happens to mine it is usually on starting the car i find if you turn the ignition off get out the car lock it and set the alarm turn around in the road with your left leg in the air and shout barstard and then open the car it seems fine this happens once or twice a year or else my language might be worse.

ott said:

when this happens to mine it is usually on starting the car i find if you turn the ignition off get out the car lock it and set the alarm turn around in the road with your left leg in the air and shout barstard and then open the car it seems fine this happens once or twice a year or else my language might be worse.

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Excellant ott

You might also like to try beating the bonnet "John Clease style" with a bush

Have or when did you do a last gearbox oil & filter change? Stick your head under & in to check all electrical conections,for broken cables,try and find what drained yeh battery, other than that see above

Thanks guys...it seems I may be my own worst enemy

I waved goodbye to my baby the other night as it was winched up onto a flat bed for its 1000 klm journey to the dealer in the city. This was the first time I had looked at it in the dark...and the two rear compartment lights were stuck on.!!!!!

I think this flattened the battery (apologies to the battery man I suppose). The RAC man who has had a bit to do with Discoverys/Rangies etc, seems to think that when I jump started the car I may have spiked the ECU or some sensor somewhere. I shudder to think what it might cost. I think the water pump seal might be leaking as well. Anyone got any idea what a V8 water pump is worth?

So.. I am having post partum depression with my beastie all alone at the dealer a 1000 klms away. Depression made worse by the crappy Toyota Troop Carrier that I am driving at the moment. It has a tape deck and the airconditioner is an add on!

It beats walking but I miss my electric windows and mirrors...and the comfy seat...oh and the ride too... and I miss the compass in the rear view mirror... and the silence.

Funny though... the Missus has never driven a Manual before..hahaha... this will be fun teaching her to drive it

OutbackJack said:

Thanks guys...it seems I may be my own worst enemy

I waved goodbye to my baby the other night as it was winched up onto a flat bed for its 1000 klm journey to the dealer in the city. This was the first time I had looked at it in the dark...and the two rear compartment lights were stuck on.!!!!!

I think this flattened the battery (apologies to the battery man I suppose). The RAC man who has had a bit to do with Discoverys/Rangies etc, seems to think that when I jump started the car I may have spiked the ECU or some sensor somewhere. I shudder to think what it might cost. I think the water pump seal might be leaking as well. Anyone got any idea what a V8 water pump is worth?

So.. I am having post partum depression with my beastie all alone at the dealer a 1000 klms away. Depression made worse by the crappy Toyota Troop Carrier that I am driving at the moment. It has a tape deck and the airconditioner is an add on!

It beats walking but I miss my electric windows and mirrors...and the comfy seat...oh and the ride too... and I miss the compass in the rear view mirror... and the silence.

Funny though... the Missus has never driven a Manual before..hahaha... this will be fun teaching her to drive it

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Deepest Condolences

V8 waterpump here for £37+vat but one I got only lasted 7k I would highly recomend paying the £20 extra and getting the genuine part,especialy where you are.

- Cooling

Stiff upper lip!

Jason

Thanks Jason.

OK..here is the wash-up of the situation.

The electronic test showed the problem caused by A FAULTY BATTERY!!!

The M & S lights on the dash is limp home mode and the computer in the car detected a reduced voltage and put the vehicle into emergency mode, dropping off a lot of systems to ensure the low voltage was used where it was most needed. I rang the Battery dealer in the City and they went and replaced the battery I bought 6 weeks ago up here (Free of charge) and .... that was it! They turned it back on, the computer saw it had full voltage and put all the systems back on line!!!

I got them to do a service while it was there and replace the drive belt...oh...and the leaking water was from a loose hose clamp off the water reservoir

So... adding all the costs together it was about $4500 spent, all for the want of a decent battery that the cock-head here at the garage should have put in a while back...and I suppose, the little-un leaving the back cabin lights on.

Of the $4500 spent, the Royal Auto Club paid the $3000 to get it to Perth, I knew some people flying the 1000 klms to Perth and I hitched a ride with them, so all it actually cost ME was a nights accommodation in Perth, the service and parts of course, and $200 of petrol to drive the 10 hours home.

They washed it and blacked the tyres and even used ...what was it called?... oh yes.. a vacuum cleaner inside so despite the the ten hours behind the wheel yesterday, it was a very pleasant environment, and so smooth and lovely after the #$%^ tojo troopcarrier.