SLS & Off road lights on dash and not starting

Well what happened was.

Filled Discovery TD5 Auto up with fresh Diesel. Paid then got into the landy and went to start the engine caught then immediately stalled. So off with the ignition and on again. This time it just wouldn't start. The starter motor is turning nicely but its just not starting. A few times I would get a chime and the SLS and Off Road Amber lights would flash.

So opened bonnet rattled a few wires etc. Then got in and it started.

It went 24hrs before doing it again.

I don't have a fault reader so I can't get any codes.

I occasionally get 3 amigos when driving. I have also been driving through quite a few puddles recently. Nothing more than a few inches at 50mph.

If the weather is ok this weekend I am tempted to try and remove the wheels to check the ABS sensors and to maybe look at remove & clean the rear SLS sensors.

IMO the starting/missfire issue is not connected with the warnings u get. There is an earth rail near the ECM(left side as u face the car) with 3 earth connnections ...first of all check these to make good contact, especially the middle one....so u do with the battery clamps.... by the way:
1.how old is your battery?
2.when did u replace the fuel filter?
3.what about the oil in red plug issue?

sierrafery said:

IMO the starting/missfire issue is not connected with the warnings u get. There is an earth rail near the ECM(left side as u face the car) with 3 earth connections ...first of all check these to make good contact, especially the middle one....so u do with the battery clamps.... by the way:
1.how old is your battery?
2.when did u replace the fuel filter?
3.what about the oil in red plug issue?

Click to expand...

Thanks for the response sierrafery.

Well the warning only come on with a 5 second burst of the starter.

1. Battery looks old. It has a looking glass but I can see no colours other than silver.
2. Replaced it in July/Aug
3. Not looked at that. I don't have radio codes so reluctant to disconnect battery.

I did try doing a earth strap from engine to battery. But ran out of wire. Got more wire just not finished yet. Maybe that would fix it.

Earthing strap completed. I thought I better do it while its not raining.

I did a check on the 3 bolts and all were ok. But I did undo them a little and copper bushed them.

That earth point i mentioned has the earth for the ECU, it's time to a new fuel filter aswell... an old battery could have a bad impact on starting especially when it's an automatic...get hold of the radio code ASAP(from the dealer or online for a certain fee) and check the red plug....that's important. And listen to the pump when u first start it in the morning... does it sound healthy?