'97 R Reg Disco - Fly by wire or not?

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dj_wymo

New Member
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4
Hi all, first post from a newbie!

looking at getting my first landy for off roading. Ive decided on a disco 200/300 or an old school rangie I think.

Ive been told I need to steer clear from the later "fly by wire" discos as there are too much electronics on them. I have seen a 97 R reg Disco for sale. It has got a manual speedo as opposed to digital one. How can I tell whether or not it is fly by wire when I go and see it?

Someone has also told me that even if I get a fly by wire one, I can change the diesel pump/throttle assembly to that of an earlier mechanically operated disco. Is this the case, or would that still leave several electrical gremlins If I waded too deep in water etc.

Any help much appreciated

cheers :)
 
I think the only disco's that have ECU's are from '99 when it changed to the TD5. I could be wrong so take it with a pinch of salt...


Stu
 
Nice if disco's did fly. From 1996 MY the automatic (maybe manual) 300's had Electronic Diesel Control EDC and a so called 'drive by wire' accelerator control system therefore no mechanical link between the accelerator pedal and the fuel injector pump.
So look for an engine with or without an acelerator cable.
 
On my '96 Auto, I believe it's 'fly by wire' throttle through the EDC - but I don't think that counts as the 'one to avoid' as it doesn't have those dodgy sensors, and I don't think the manual version even have this.

300TDi same to be rated as good by most.
 
Tim.C said:
On my '96 Auto, I believe it's 'fly by wire' throttle through the EDC - but I don't think that counts as the 'one to avoid' as it doesn't have those dodgy sensors, and I don't think the manual version even have this.

300TDi same to be rated as good by most.
Click to expand...

OK mate thanks...

What are these "dodgy sensors" you speak of?

The 97 disco Im looking at is manual.
 
My Disco has an accelerator cable ... '96/'97 MY 3 door .. ;)
 
my manual 98 300tdi has a throttle cable too ;) as long as you dont get the edc model you'll be fine.
 
dj_wymo said:
OK mate thanks...

What are these "dodgy sensors" you speak of?

The 97 disco Im looking at is manual.
Click to expand...

The engine sensors that the ECU uses - I believe they are often a problem. If the sensor brakes the car wont run!!

AUTO is fine - personally I wold take auto over manual every time.

But I wouldn't turn down a good manual just for that.
 
So to be specific it could be:

Injection timing sensor
Airflow sensor
Engine speed sensor
Vehicle speed sensor
Throttle position sensor
Turbo boost pressure sensor
Coolent temperature sensor
Air temperature sensor
Fuel temperature sensor
EGR control solenoid
Brake and clutch pedal switches
 
Tim.C said:
The engine sensors that the ECU uses - I believe they are often a problem. If the sensor brakes the car wont run!!

AUTO is fine - personally I wold take auto over manual every time.

But I wouldn't turn down a good manual just for that.
Click to expand...

We specifically bought manual for offroading .. gives a bit more control, especially downhill.

.. and I didn't like Auto's .. ;)

Since driven a couple of Jags with auto and could be swayed, but only for on-road I think. ;)
 
"Fly by wire" or more correctly called EDC-equipped TDi 300's only applies to auto-box versions from '96 to '98

They are more powerful 122bhp as opposed to 111bhp and work perfectly - in my experience.

I had one for about a year, did 16,000mls, a trip to the Sahara and averaged 33mpg over the whole period.

There is nothing inherently wrong with them and if De-Catted and De-EGR'd they go well enough = for a 2200kilo vehicle with only 122bhp ;):D:D:D

THEY CAN BE TUNED BY A CHIP CHANGE - if you're that way inclined.
 
Paul D said:
We specifically bought manual for offroading .. gives a bit more control, especially downhill.

.. and I didn't like Auto's .. ;)

Since driven a couple of Jags with auto and could be swayed, but only for on-road I think. ;)
Click to expand...



Off-road is the main reason for getting an auto - they are absolutely brilliant offroad. Loads more control and flexibility. Imo.
 
Paul D said:
We specifically bought manual for offroading .. gives a bit more control, especially downhill.
Click to expand...

thebiglad said:
Off-road is the main reason for getting an auto - they are absolutely brilliant offroad. Loads more control and flexibility. Imo.
Click to expand...

But which is better? FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We could have a proper thread about the pros and cons of autos off road - but I don't think LandyZone is capable of a proper discussion ;)

I can't compare as I've only ever driven auto off road - but I've had no complaints.

And contrary to most opinions, there is a lot of engine braking. Haven't had any problems on green lanes.

Just to prove a point I drove 10 miles to work without touching the brake at all (apart from red traffic lights) when we had the bad snow. A bit sad, I know, but I wanted to prove a point to myself and practice :)
 
Mate bought an auto disco & we was in Dolwyddelan on a very steep rock slope/steps. So I got out to guide him down and the fooker nearly ran me over. I told the fooker not to give it any throttle and it'd crawl down on it's own and he did it a 2nd time. So went to see what the fook was up and he had it in drive, with no difflock engaged :doh: fooking numpty.
 
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