Self-fixing 1999 DSE

So, there I was happily driving down the road in my 1999 DSE Auto on the way to the dentist when with no warning the engine just stopped having covered 5 miles since leaving home.

As I glided gently to the kerb, the message "Gearbox fault" flashed through the display.

Of course it wouldn't start again, just dead cranked so I rang the RAC. He arrived, tried to start it - no joy, so he gave it a sniff of Easy Start to help determine if it was a fuel problem and the bl**dy thing started and ran. Since then it hasn't missed a beat.

I think I may have an intermittant fuel pump, but does anyone else have any good ideas ?

The RCA man then recommended I have the car checked over by Morey's Diesel Service, Bridport and also recommended Country Rovers in Chard as a good LR independent. Anyone here have any experience with these garages ?

Thanks in advance, Brian

Even if the in-tank fuel pump fails the vehicle will still start and run ok. You will just notice a huge difference in power as you try to drive, it is completely flat with no go what so ever.

Did the injector light appear at all when you conked out?? Was there any sort of irregular idling happening also before this happened?? Lastly, do you have a powerchip fitted??

-Wills

wills said:

Did the injector light appear at all when you conked out?? Was there any sort of irregular idling happening also before this happened?? Lastly, do you have a powerchip fitted??
-Wills

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Didn't notice the injector light but that doesn't mean it wasn't on as I stupidly didn't check the lights before trying to restart the engine. I do know it hadn't idled since I left home, so not sure about that one. It does have a powerchip, the type that replaces the prom inside the Bosch ECU, I fitted it myself about 2 or 3 months ago.

You mention about the engine going flat if the in-tank pump fails, when it all appeared to stop happening, I managed to coast about 100 yards or so before finding somewhere to pull over and remember thinking to myself that I'd managed to coast an awful lot further in drive than I'd expected ..... However, as soon as the car stopped rolling, I noticed that the engine had cut out completely before I could get it out of drive.

Thanks for your help, Brian

Went out this morning and exactly the same thing happened ... so onto the RAC again. This time however I made sure I checked everything as it happened and the only dash lights on were the oil-pressure and the ignition light.

The RAC man checked everything again, the EasyStart trick didn't work but he took the diesel pipe off the underbonnet filter and found that no fuel was coming through.

Well, the RR is now at Moreys Diesel Specialists in Bridport and I am expecting a bill for either a new in-tank pump, or for repairs to leaking pipe(s) .... or both ?

I'll know by next week ....... bl**dy P38's .........