several electrical gremlins

I admit it...I am stumped! I am having some problems with my 1995
disco which may or may not be related. Upon starting the vehicle
(sometimes) there is an audible "waterfall" sound behind the dash.
Thought perhaps it was a coolant leak from the heater core, but after
changing the thermostat for regular maintenance, the leak seems to be
gone...but the water sound is still present. Just as one problem was
solved, the cigarette lighter and seat switches have stopped working.
However, If the weather is just right and you turn the ignition to the
accessory setting, the drivers' side seat will activate, but the
passengers side does not. I have tested the switches, but they are not
the problem.
I could really use some help on this, and I would rather not take it in
to a dealer or mechanic since they do not seem to want to fix it as it
has been a lucrative source of income for them.
Thanks for your suggestions!

"Mimii <[email protected]>" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I admit it...I am stumped! I am having some problems with my 1995
> disco which may or may not be related. Upon starting the vehicle
> (sometimes) there is an audible "waterfall" sound behind the dash.
> Thought perhaps it was a coolant leak from the heater core, but after
> changing the thermostat for regular maintenance, the leak seems to be
> gone...but the water sound is still present. Just as one problem was
> solved, the cigarette lighter and seat switches have stopped working.
> However, If the weather is just right and you turn the ignition to the
> accessory setting, the drivers' side seat will activate, but the
> passengers side does not. I have tested the switches, but they are not
> the problem.
> I could really use some help on this, and I would rather not take it in
> to a dealer or mechanic since they do not seem to want to fix it as it
> has been a lucrative source of income for them.
> Thanks for your suggestions!

Ooher. It is one of the few genuine Solihull Limited Edition Haunted
Discoveries.

I'd guess maybe you have a airlock in a hose or heater matrix which produces
the water sound.

If the switches are fine it could be a loose connection of some sort, maybe
even a fuse in its holder not making full contact. Or an earth problem. Can
you test the motors under the seat?

Ooh, a thought just hit me - it sounds like a duff ignition switch which is
quite a common problem I gather.
TonyB
>

On Mon, 10 Jul 2006 00:00:05 -0700, Mimii <[email protected]> wrote:

> I admit it...I am stumped! I am having some problems with my 1995 disco
> which may or may not be related. Upon starting the vehicle (sometimes)
> there is an audible "waterfall" sound behind the dash. Thought perhaps it
> was a coolant leak from the heater core, but after changing the thermostat
> for regular maintenance, the leak seems to be gone...but the water sound
> is still present. Just as one problem was solved, the cigarette lighter
> and seat switches have stopped working. However, If the weather is just
> right and you turn the ignition to the accessory setting, the drivers'
> side seat will activate, but the passengers side does not. I have tested
> the switches, but they are not the problem.
> I could really use some help on this, and I would rather not take it in to
> a dealer or mechanic since they do not seem to want to fix it as it has
> been a lucrative source of income for them. Thanks for your suggestions!

Have you got air con by any chance?
--
If you don't know who's watching the watchmen.
The watchmen are raiding the warehouse!

TonyB wrote:
> "Mimii <[email protected]>" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I admit it...I am stumped! I am having some problems with my 1995
> > disco which may or may not be related. Upon starting the vehicle
> > (sometimes) there is an audible "waterfall" sound behind the dash.
> > Thought perhaps it was a coolant leak from the heater core, but after
> > changing the thermostat for regular maintenance, the leak seems to be
> > gone...but the water sound is still present. Just as one problem was
> > solved, the cigarette lighter and seat switches have stopped working.
> > However, If the weather is just right and you turn the ignition to the
> > accessory setting, the drivers' side seat will activate, but the
> > passengers side does not. I have tested the switches, but they are not
> > the problem.
> > I could really use some help on this, and I would rather not take it in
> > to a dealer or mechanic since they do not seem to want to fix it as it
> > has been a lucrative source of income for them.
> > Thanks for your suggestions!
>
> Ooher. It is one of the few genuine Solihull Limited Edition Haunted
> Discoveries.
>
> I'd guess maybe you have a airlock in a hose or heater matrix which produces
> the water sound.
>
> If the switches are fine it could be a loose connection of some sort, maybe
> even a fuse in its holder not making full contact. Or an earth problem. Can
> you test the motors under the seat?
>
> Ooh, a thought just hit me - it sounds like a duff ignition switch which is
> quite a common problem I gather.
> TonyB
> >

Thanks for the reply. I have some new information about this problem.
After extremely thorough examination, I have found that the drivers
seat will move, but only if the drivers side door is open. It does not
matter whether the accessory setting only is on, or if the engine is
running, but the door must be open. The passenger seat still does not
function, nor does the lighter.

I should also note that the fuses are all fine, as are the wires. So,
should I replace the ignition switch, and if so, is it something that I
can do myself, or should it be taken in to my oh so reliable (*cough*)
mechanic?

I was recently emailed some info by a friend that says this sort of
thing can happen if you disconnect the battery for any length of
time...something about the computer being out of whack and needing to
be reset. Of course, there were no instructions on how to do this and
I haven't been able to locate any reference to resetting the computer
in a disco.
Is this just a bunch of **** or does anyone out there know something
about this?
Sorry for all of the questions, but I am just learning to love (and
repair) all of the quirks that come with owning a disco.