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Old 04-29-2008, 09:16 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Default 95 Disco. Tach/Electrical problem. +Intro

1995 Discovery 3.9L
5-speed manual.
102,000 original miles.

I'm new to Rovers. Just picked this up a couple weeks ago... I'm coming from owning a couple VW's and a BMW for my last couple cars. So this will be somewhat of a learning experience for me.

Today my wife and I drove about 45 mins out to Tacoma, WA to pick up our new kittens. On the way home, about 15 mins into the trip the car began to sort of bog down. It acted like it was trying to die, but wasn't... While doing about 40mph down the road. It did this for a moment, and I came to a stop light. The car idled fine at the stop light, but upon leaving the light it began to do the same thing... Then the tachometer went dead and the battery light above the fuel meter came on.

I pulled off to the side of the road and sat for a second... The car idled fine still. I shut it off for a moment, thinking maybe it would just be a small mechanical gremlin(I came from Volkswagens/BMW's... So I'm used to those). Turned the car back on, and it no longer ran weird, but the tach is still dead, and the battery light is still on.

We managed to get home fine without any problems. Got home, and I had to run to the store to get some groceries... Made it there and back without any problems. After being home for about 30 minutes, we realized I forgot something from the store, and that my daughters new Recaro child seat had been delivered to my father in law's house, so I went out again. Right near the store, there is a lot that no one seems to really claim, so people have created a decent sized mud pit. I headed through it for just one pass, and the car was fine. Parked the car, went into the store, came back out... Car started up normal.

Drove to my father in laws which is about 3 minutes from the store, and went inside to get the seat. Walked back out a couple minutes later, and the Disco wouldn't start. I called my mom's boyfriend, and he came out to try a jump start. It jump started fine, and ran all the way home. We're guessing that the battery may be going bad, so I am going to have it tested tomorrow and probably pick up a new one...

My question is, has anyone had this type of problem before? Possibility it's something other than the battery? Any ideas on what's wrong with the tach?

Here's a picture of what it's looking like right now.


Thanks for any help!

I didn't want to post any pictures of my disco yet, as it's basically stock... for another couple months. But here's a picture or two of my last couple VW's.
1996 VW Passat Wagon vr6.


And my 1989 VW Golf. vr6 swapped. 5-lug. Dash swap. Wilwood brakes. Porsche seats. euro Rallye headlight swap. +oodles and oodles of other rare parts.

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Old 04-30-2008, 05:22 AM   #2 (permalink)
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Your tach is driven from a signal from your alternator, I would start there, thinking your alternator may be failing.
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Old 04-30-2008, 06:23 AM   #3 (permalink)
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x 2 on the alternator.
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Old 04-30-2008, 04:51 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Alright cool... I'm gonna head out in a couple minutes and have the battery tested, as well as the alternator.

At least on Disco's the alternator is easy to get to.

On VW's and BMW's, it's shoved down where you bang the shit out of your knuckles getting them out.
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Old 04-30-2008, 06:33 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Well, I was going to get the alternator tested... But I forgot that my wife had a doctors appointment. So instead I'm watching my daughter. Maybe tomorrow.
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Old 04-30-2008, 09:22 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Ordered a new alternaton from RoversNorth. Hopefully it makes it here soon.
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Old 05-02-2008, 07:18 PM   #7 (permalink)
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You said "...Then the tachometer went dead and the battery light above the fuel meter came on...."

Well, I had this scenario on my 98 Disco LSE once during a freezing winter. It turned out to be the electrical system failure: alternator that was dying, battery was thirsty, and the belt was shining, whistling due to the wear! Basically everything was not getting enough juice to keep the truck power everything (Fuel system, ABS, power steering, Lights, stereo...). This occured in 120k mi.
Action 1:
-Replaced the "couple" alternator - battery: Alt with the high output Magnetti Marelli, charged my battery. The truck was back on road but still the RPM tachometer needle took a nap and did not wake up at all!

Action2:
-Checked connections, browsed the web, asked ASE guys, ... tightened tensioner in vain. I could see the RPM needle just shaking without reaching the regular 720 rpm idle.
Action3:
Guess what! I made an executive decision to go get a new serpentine belt, snaped it in, turned the ignition key, "Et Voila" the RPM tachometer needle up and swinging again! Everything was back to life!

I understand your alternator is ordered but do not forget to service the serpentine and shiny pulleys!
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Old 05-03-2008, 10:56 AM   #8 (permalink)
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I'll take another look right now, but last I checked the belts looked good. I'm really hoping its just the alternator/battery. But I will check the serp belt again.
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