Questions and Answers

Land Rover Dies, Won't Start Q. Vincent, I have read through as many answers you provided as possible to determine what might be the problem on my car, 1994 Land Rover Discovery, 75,000 miles, automatic transmission, ABS, A/C and Cruise Control. My problem is this. My car idles really low, almost dying out sometimes. The other day while going about 70 mph, the engine shut off, but in a few seconds, before I had a chance to completely pull over, it kicked back on.

A few times during the day, I'll go to start it and it will not turn for several times, then it will start and die out a few times but then it will start and run fine. I want to make sure before I do this, that this is right. You say it is either fuel pump or ignition module on other answers, how do I check the spark plug?

I have checked to see how much it would cost to check what is wrong and Land Rover charges $85.00 per hour on labor for repair (I got this car used for a pretty good deal, so I'm not someone with money). I had the battery and the alternator checked by Autozone and they insist it's not one or the other, but people keep telling me it is, any help with this would be appreciated.

CC Rios

A. I'm not real clear on what the problem is here, outside of the fact that you bought something made by Rolls Royce. And the statement "The other day while going about 70 mph, the engine shut off, but in a few seconds, before I had a chance to completely pull over, it kicked back on." makes no sense. If it died, you would need to restart the engine. It would not restart itself.

Land Rover had a problem with the Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor coming loose. There is new bolts and a new heat shield to correct this problem.

If it is a crank, no start, we have to determine what's missing when it dies, fuel or spark. What you can do spray some carburetor cleaner into the intake while someone tries to start it. If it runs then you know you have a fuel problem. Probably a fuel pump.

If it doesn't fire, take an old spark plug and plug one of the ignition wires into it and lay it on a metal part of the engine. Crank it over and if there is no spark, you have an ignition problem. Maybe a bad ignition coil or ignition module.

In the event it is a no crank we need to see if there is power getting to the starter. With a test light check for power at the small terminal on the starter. The test light should light when the key is in the START position. If not then you probably have a bad Neutral Safety Switch or ignition switch.