Rough Idle while in Gear? 95' RRC - Land Rovers Only

husaberg450 · 02-20-2007, 08:02 PM

Recently purchased a 95 RRC with an ABS light on and rough idle while in gear. I took it to a local european repair shop in which the mechanic was a master mechanic for Land Rover in the nineties and was highly recommended. A complete tune up was completed including fixing the issues with the brakes. My only issue with the vehicle is that it has a rough idle while in gear, however when it's in Park, it idles smoothly. Actually the RRC idles smoothly but every 5 seconds give or take, the idle drops down from 800 or so rpms down to 500 and then it jumps back up to 900 or so and then mellows back out at 800. Sometimes it doesn't happen as often as 5 seconds but it comes and goes fairly frequently. The mechanic did all of the adjustments/cleaning he recommended and it did minimize the severity of rpm range however it didn't fix the issue. Basically the service manager is saying that 95's were quirky and their isn't much more they can do, it's most likely the fuel ECM that has more smog restrictions than previous models. Another mechanic there as a 95 LWB (mine is a SWB) with the same problem. He switched the fuel ECM (?) out with a 93' unit and supposedly his problem is fixed, but they couldn't really recommend that to me as it's experimental, however they will install one if I can find one on ebay. Does anyone have any input why my RRC would have the idle issue listed above while sitting idle in gear but not when it's in park? Thanks for your replies.

boxer · 02-20-2007, 08:17 PM

Does the idle change if you have the heater on or air on? One of mine did this but when the air was on it idled fine. If this is so I will call my mechanic and ask what he did but he fixed it by just doing some adjustments.

husaberg450 · 02-26-2007, 07:38 PM

Thanks for the reply boxer and offer to help, I checked and my problem is not related to the air/heat being on or off. I spoke to another RR shop today and the first thing the service manager stated was it was either the alternator or the stepper motor. Most likely it was my alternator. She stated that most people buy re-manufactured alternators to save money however the power output is either higher or lower than a new oem alternator and this difference in power output causes the surges I've experienced. When I first start the RR, I don't have the problem for at least 4 or 5 minutes, she stated the problem usually kicks in once the alternator gets fully charged, which makes sense. After our conversation, I lifted the hood to my RR and there was a re-manufactured sticker on my alternator and it looked newer than the other connected parts. It sounds like this is my issue but I'll know for sure next week and reply to this post.

sabas · 03-07-2007, 11:25 AM

Hello!

How is it going with your idle problem? Did you replace the alternator? Is your problem solved?

Keep us updated!

Thanks

Sabas.

husaberg450 · 03-11-2007, 07:44 PM

Took it to the new mechanic, the idle was too low. He adjusted the idle and my problem disappeared. It's been a good week of daily driving and the problem has not reappeared. I'm shocked that the original shop, which was highly recommended and well known, didn't adjust my idle to fix my problem. I'm taking the RR back to the new mechanic this week for a transmission service and to replace the coolant expansion tank. The factory expansion tank is black and has a top and bottom piece glued together. Where the tank is glued together is a weak spot for older rovers and will seperate at some point and leave you stranded. They're going to install a new one piece expansion tank, clear in color, to prevent a future issue.

02-20-2007, 08:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
husaberg450 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3 Gallery: 0	Rough Idle while in Gear? 95' RRC Recently purchased a 95 RRC with an ABS light on and rough idle while in gear. I took it to a local european repair shop in which the mechanic was a master mechanic for Land Rover in the nineties and was highly recommended. A complete tune up was completed including fixing the issues with the brakes. My only issue with the vehicle is that it has a rough idle while in gear, however when it's in Park, it idles smoothly. Actually the RRC idles smoothly but every 5 seconds give or take, the idle drops down from 800 or so rpms down to 500 and then it jumps back up to 900 or so and then mellows back out at 800. Sometimes it doesn't happen as often as 5 seconds but it comes and goes fairly frequently. The mechanic did all of the adjustments/cleaning he recommended and it did minimize the severity of rpm range however it didn't fix the issue. Basically the service manager is saying that 95's were quirky and their isn't much more they can do, it's most likely the fuel ECM that has more smog restrictions than previous models. Another mechanic there as a 95 LWB (mine is a SWB) with the same problem. He switched the fuel ECM (?) out with a 93' unit and supposedly his problem is fixed, but they couldn't really recommend that to me as it's experimental, however they will install one if I can find one on ebay. Does anyone have any input why my RRC would have the idle issue listed above while sitting idle in gear but not when it's in park? Thanks for your replies.

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02-20-2007, 08:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
boxer Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lexington Kentucky Posts: 25 Gallery: 0	Does the idle change if you have the heater on or air on? One of mine did this but when the air was on it idled fine. If this is so I will call my mechanic and ask what he did but he fixed it by just doing some adjustments.

02-26-2007, 07:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
husaberg450 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3 Gallery: 0	Thanks for the reply boxer and offer to help, I checked and my problem is not related to the air/heat being on or off. I spoke to another RR shop today and the first thing the service manager stated was it was either the alternator or the stepper motor. Most likely it was my alternator. She stated that most people buy re-manufactured alternators to save money however the power output is either higher or lower than a new oem alternator and this difference in power output causes the surges I've experienced. When I first start the RR, I don't have the problem for at least 4 or 5 minutes, she stated the problem usually kicks in once the alternator gets fully charged, which makes sense. After our conversation, I lifted the hood to my RR and there was a re-manufactured sticker on my alternator and it looked newer than the other connected parts. It sounds like this is my issue but I'll know for sure next week and reply to this post.

03-07-2007, 11:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
sabas Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Venezuela Posts: 2 Gallery: 0	Hello! How is it going with your idle problem? Did you replace the alternator? Is your problem solved? Keep us updated! Thanks Sabas.

03-11-2007, 07:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
husaberg450 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3 Gallery: 0	Took it to the new mechanic, the idle was too low. He adjusted the idle and my problem disappeared. It's been a good week of daily driving and the problem has not reappeared. I'm shocked that the original shop, which was highly recommended and well known, didn't adjust my idle to fix my problem. I'm taking the RR back to the new mechanic this week for a transmission service and to replace the coolant expansion tank. The factory expansion tank is black and has a top and bottom piece glued together. Where the tank is glued together is a weak spot for older rovers and will seperate at some point and leave you stranded. They're going to install a new one piece expansion tank, clear in color, to prevent a future issue.

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