I'm 99% sure D1's don't have a check engine light as they have very few sensors or diagnostics. Really need some photos ... Have you got a set of jump leads? I would also clean the battery terminals and the earth strap coming off the starter motor.
Partner going to have a look over weekend and we going to charge battery but it definitely had a check engine light
 
Marmaduke, funnily enough ours sits 2" higher as well as I had heavy duty springs fitted at the rear and the rears put on the front as I knew I was going to be having a huge amount of towing long distance to do. (All the stuff to fit out our new house in SW France, towed in a massive trailer) No snorkel though. But Gaz shockers which stop the roll and a performance exhaust which kills the turbo lag. Are yours all D1s? We have 1 D2 and 2 D1s. Three seems to be a key number, after that Wifey's get a bit bothered though it looks as if you have tons more room to keep them in than we do! (Front of house, won't fit in garage!) Nice Satnav thingy by the way!

Tbag, re the parts problems, an auto D1 has an EDC and thus is a tiny bit like a D2, which has ECU, BCU, SLABS and other electronics all over the place. So be sure to tell the supplier the vehicle is Auto. At least you CAN get a diagnostics to tell you what the problem is, maybe.
Re it not starting, D1s have a "spider" which is notorious for causing problems, check this out https://forums.lr4x4.com/topic/86-the-definitive-alarm-spider-post/ it may help. But Sierrafery is on board and he is hugely knowledgeable. Best of luck.
Don't worry I don't take it personally that an expert has finally turned up :rolleyes: Just for future reference not all D1's have a spider immobiliser, mine hasn't
 
Don't worry I don't take it personally that an expert has finally turned up :rolleyes: Just for future reference not all D1's have a spider immobiliser, mine hasn't
I REALLY must try harder to be more precise.
"A common failure on Discovery Series 1 vehicles (both Tdi & V8) with the two-button alarm system (i.e. all vehicles from 1996 model year to 1998 model year) is a component called the "spider". (Quote from the site I copied in for PO's benefit. This covers both my Anniversary and, therefore I would have thought yours. Mine definitely has a two button fob.
PS who is the expert that has turned up? Sierrafery? Or are you being sarcastic and you don't think he is an expert?
 
I REALLY must try harder to be more precise.
"A common failure on Discovery Series 1 vehicles (both Tdi & V8) with the two-button alarm system (i.e. all vehicles from 1996 model year to 1998 model year) is a component called the "spider". (Quote from the site I copied in for PO's benefit. This covers both my Anniversary and, therefore I would have thought yours. Mine definitely has a two button fob.
PS who is the expert that has turned up? Sierrafery? Or are you being sarcastic and you don't think he is an expert?
The 'spider' immobiliser is not a feature of all 300tdi discoverys. My '98 has a green box in the passenger side footwell which is different to a spider immobiliser
 
(Marmaduke, my quote says quite clearly that not all Disco 1s have a spider but it does say that all from 1996 to 1998 DO have one. It is buried under and behind the radio mounting position, nothing to do with a green box in the passenger side footwell.)

So Tbag, as yours is an autobox it will have an EDC and therefore, as you said appeared, it is likely to have a check engine light, or something that looks like it. My research seems to indicate that it is inside the rev counter at the bottom centre, but this is only from research on the internet. The Diagnostic plug, which is NOT OBD11 compliant, is to be found top left in the driver's footwell. You will need Nanocom, Hawkeye or Scantool, or you need to get this truck to a proper Land Rover garage or a Land Rover specialist. I know it is a pain, but before I got a Scantool I once had to get my D2 to a garage and it involved my other Land Rover, a mate with a trailer, another mate with a winch, just for 15 minutes simple work with a diagnostic tool. Since then the Land Rover has worked fine. Anything to do with ECUs is a pain unless you have the proper kit and know what you are doing. I have the scars to prove it. BUT a decent diagnostic at least points you in the right direction and stops you spending money on bits in the hope one of them will sort the problem out. In the end it is cheaper than a new battery for instance.

If your dad never used the fob, it must mean he never locked the car, so maybe the battery in the fob is flat. There is such a thing as an EKA, emergency key access, and the number was given to the first owner of the vehicle. If you don't have it, a main dealer will give it to you provided you can prove you really do own the vehicle. I had to show V5 and another form of ID to get this for another vehicle. Once you have it you can get into the vehicle without setting the alarm off as soon as you try to turn the key. But it is termporary and will go back to needing the fob eventually, e.g. if you disconnect the battery. I do hope you manage to make some progress with this and if you are still stuck keep on posting, we will keep trying to help you.
 
(Marmaduke, my quote says quite clearly that not all Disco 1s have a spider but it does say that all from 1996 to 1998 DO have one. It is buried under and behind the radio mounting position, nothing to do with a green box in the passenger side footwell.)

So Tbag, as yours is an autobox it will have an EDC and therefore, as you said appeared, it is likely to have a check engine light, or something that looks like it. My research seems to indicate that it is inside the rev counter at the bottom centre, but this is only from research on the internet. The Diagnostic plug, which is NOT OBD11 compliant, is to be found top left in the driver's footwell. You will need Nanocom, Hawkeye or Scantool, or you need to get this truck to a proper Land Rover garage or a Land Rover specialist. I know it is a pain, but before I got a Scantool I once had to get my D2 to a garage and it involved my other Land Rover, a mate with a trailer, another mate with a winch, just for 15 minutes simple work with a diagnostic tool. Since then the Land Rover has worked fine. Anything to do with ECUs is a pain unless you have the proper kit and know what you are doing. I have the scars to prove it. BUT a decent diagnostic at least points you in the right direction and stops you spending money on bits in the hope one of them will sort the problem out. In the end it is cheaper than a new battery for instance.

If your dad never used the fob, it must mean he never locked the car, so maybe the battery in the fob is flat. There is such a thing as an EKA, emergency key access, and the number was given to the first owner of the vehicle. If you don't have it, a main dealer will give it to you provided you can prove you really do own the vehicle. I had to show V5 and another form of ID to get this for another vehicle. Once you have it you can get into the vehicle without setting the alarm off as soon as you try to turn the key. But it is termporary and will go back to needing the fob eventually, e.g. if you disconnect the battery. I do hope you manage to make some progress with this and if you are still stuck keep on posting, we will keep trying to help you.
Yes and my 1998 discovery DOES NOT HAVE A SPIDER IMMOBILISER. It has what I believe is called a DDS immobiliser which has a black box on the back of the injector pump with three wires coming from it and works in conjunction with the box in the footwell. The is no spider wiring behind the dash at all. Last year I spent several hours stripping the dash out after the immobiliser packed up and the car wouldn't start and someone told me to buy a spider bypass wiring loom only to find there was nowhere to plug it into.
 
(Marmaduke, my quote says quite clearly that not all Disco 1s have a spider but it does say that all from 1996 to 1998 DO have one. It is buried under and behind the radio mounting position, nothing to do with a green box in the passenger side footwell.)

So Tbag, as yours is an autobox it will have an EDC and therefore, as you said appeared, it is likely to have a check engine light, or something that looks like it. My research seems to indicate that it is inside the rev counter at the bottom centre, but this is only from research on the internet. The Diagnostic plug, which is NOT OBD11 compliant, is to be found top left in the driver's footwell. You will need Nanocom, Hawkeye or Scantool, or you need to get this truck to a proper Land Rover garage or a Land Rover specialist. I know it is a pain, but before I got a Scantool I once had to get my D2 to a garage and it involved my other Land Rover, a mate with a trailer, another mate with a winch, just for 15 minutes simple work with a diagnostic tool. Since then the Land Rover has worked fine. Anything to do with ECUs is a pain unless you have the proper kit and know what you are doing. I have the scars to prove it. BUT a decent diagnostic at least points you in the right direction and stops you spending money on bits in the hope one of them will sort the problem out. In the end it is cheaper than a new battery for instance.

If your dad never used the fob, it must mean he never locked the car, so maybe the battery in the fob is flat. There is such a thing as an EKA, emergency key access, and the number was given to the first owner of the vehicle. If you don't have it, a main dealer will give it to you provided you can prove you really do own the vehicle. I had to show V5 and another form of ID to get this for another vehicle. Once you have it you can get into the vehicle without setting the alarm off as soon as you try to turn the key. But it is termporary and will go back to needing the fob eventually, e.g. if you disconnect the battery. I do hope you manage to make some progress with this and if you are still stuck keep on posting, we will keep trying to help you.
Screenshot_20190405-231101.png

I'm sorry but I'm only reading your posts :rolleyes:
 
OK, Marmaduke, this is a case of Chinese whispers. Yours does not have a spider, but yours is not an auto therefore not an EDC. But even you thought it might have a spider and you spent ages looking for it. So there is still a very good chance that Tbag may have a spider. So lets not argue about it.She either has a DDS or a spider, agreed? Anyway..
Tbag here is another thing you could look at https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/300tdi-edc-1997-without-a-spider-security.322126/ which covers what Marmaduke is talking about.
I'm only trying to help a new member sort her problem out. As always, with electronic systems, the solution is not obvious, all I am trying to do is give Tbag directions to look in. I am not into point scoring, I make mistakes all the time, as does everyone, but there is an old saying "People who never make mistakes, never make anything.." So thanks for pointing out my failings, I can grow through that. Let's all just try and point Tbag in a direction or two that may help her.
 
OK, Marmaduke, this is a case of Chinese whispers. Yours does not have a spider, but yours is not an auto therefore not an EDC. But even you thought it might have a spider and you spent ages looking for it. So there is still a very good chance that Tbag may have a spider. So lets not argue about it.She either has a DDS or a spider, agreed? Anyway..
Tbag here is another thing you could look at https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/300tdi-edc-1997-without-a-spider-security.322126/ which covers what Marmaduke is talking about.
I'm only trying to help a new member sort her problem out. As always, with electronic systems, the solution is not obvious, all I am trying to do is give Tbag directions to look in. I am not into point scoring, I make mistakes all the time, as does everyone, but there is an old saying "People who never make mistakes, never make anything.." So thanks for pointing out my failings, I can grow through that. Let's all just try and point Tbag in a direction or two that may help her.
My discovery 2 td5 definitely has a spider.
 
Do I dare?
TBag,
Reasons why a 300tdi Automatic might not start (From Haynes manual)

Engine fails to rotate:

Loose or corroded battery terminals
Flat or dodgy battery
Broken, loose or disconnected wiring in starting circuit
Gear Lever not in P or N
Defective starter solenoid or switch
Defective starter
Defective starter pinion or ring gear
Engine earth strap bust, loose or disconnected

Engine rotates but will not start:

Fuel tank empty
Battery discharged (rotates slowly)
Immobiliser fault
Preheating system faulty
Fuel cut-off (stop) solenoid faulty
Air in fuel system
Major mechanical failure e.g. camshaft drive

And little of this requires a diagnostic tool. (Now you'll tell me you've got a Haynes Manual!

Best of luck!
 
Tbag, also found this really interesting thread on the same/similar problem.
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/300tdi-edc-1997-without-a-spider-security.322126/
Interestingly it looks as if Auto Discos like yours do not have either a Spider or a DDS. So I was wrong in my post to Marmaduke. Both I and others I have quoted have got it wrong. You are obviously not the first to have this problem. But hopefully this long thread will have the answer, unless it is something more basic, hopefully covered in the Haynes checklist.
 
Mine made a web from the rear view mirror to the dash. Got stuck all over my face when i leant over to the glove box :confused:

I took mine on a holiday to Wales for a week, every day he came down on his web , had a shufti round then went back to his hidey hole.

I am still waiting for a letter of thanks, even a web saying " thanks neilly for the holibibs" would be OK.

Cheers
 
I took mine on a holiday to Wales for a week, every day he came down on his web , had a shufti round then went back to his hidey hole.

I am still waiting for a letter of thanks, even a web saying " thanks neilly for the holibibs" would be OK.

Cheers
He's waiting to give you a kiss the next time you go outside :p
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Hi all I don't suppose any of you can show me or point me in the right direction of what the inhibator switch looks like can you think we have located it and all the wiring is cracked but when I look on line I seem to get lots for discovery 2 but nothing for discovery 1 and the picture looks completely different to what we looking at thank you
 
Hi all I don't suppose any of you can show me or point me in the right direction of what the inhibator switch looks like can you think we have located it and all the wiring is cracked but when I look on line I seem to get lots for discovery 2 but nothing for discovery 1 and the picture looks completely different to what we looking at thank you
Found this on Google just don't ask me where it fits cos I only do manuals :oops:....
Screenshot_20190407-140906.png

Screenshot_20190407-140936.png

I have in the past bought a complete discovery with 11 months mot for less than one of those cost:eek:
 

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