Stevekennah

Stevekennah

Active Member
Hi all.....

I have a intermittent start issue with my disco 300tdi auto, none ecu model

Sometimes when I go to start it up it won't even turn over, other times it starts on the first turn of the key

I've checked the battery and all the wiring, all good ..... Has this problem happened to anyone else?
 
Sounds like a spider unit problem, would have though all of these were long gone now!
The spider unit, if still fitted resides below the radio, most likely you will just have a bypass plug there now, you may also find its the ignition switch itself, the starter relay or the starter solenoid, the best time to diagnose is when its not starting, this can be difficult as it will never do it when you want, only when your late for work or stuck on double yellows with a traffic warden approaching!
 
Thanks for the quick reply, it seems to be sensitive to heat I think...... from memory every time it hasn't started the inside has been hot from the sun, once cooled down it seems to work..... would this still be the spider? And is it accessible if I take the radio out?
 
Seems very likely to be the spider unit, ours would never start when hot, i.e after stopping for petrol, a bypass plug is available amr4956,
However you can cut solder the wires, or repair the spider unit, If you take the radio out + its cage, you can just about disconnect the plug with some pain! the spider is just fixed to the top of the heater unit. The radio/heater control surround removed makes it much easier.

Having said all of this, most disco's have had their spiders bypassed long ago, however you have a classic symptom so would definitely be worth checking, best of luck
 
Some confused info is given above :confused:

Not all 300 series have "spiders" 1995MY doesn't, which would be yours if its still factory spec and therefore non EDC.
EDC arrived with 1996MY and so as it was EDC not fitted with the spider.
So look at the usual suspects, battery, ignition switch and starter motor connections first.
 
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I've had this problem it was the starter motor earth that straps to the chassis, give it a clean with wire brush :) solved the problem for me!
 
discool said:
Some confused info is given above :confused:

Not all 300 series have "spiders" 1995MY doesn't, which would be yours if its still factory spec and therefore non EDC.
EDC arrived with 1996MY and so as it was EDC not fitted with the spider.
So look at the usual suspects, battery, ignition switch and starter motor connections first.
Click to expand...

Sorry, assumed all 300 series disco's without EDC had spiders, If I've given you the runaround OP, apologies!
 
somersetsparks said:
Sorry, assumed all 300 series disco's without EDC had spiders, If I've given you the runaround OP, apologies!
Click to expand...

That's okay, I've been interested in the 300 series since 1995 when I took my first test drive but didn't think much of discos then, but then went out and bought mine in 1997 :D

The first of the 300 series (1995MY) diesel or petrol had the single button fob security system and was not fitted with the so called "spider" immobiliser.
The 1996MY diesel and petrol now had the updated two button fob security system plus the spider immobiliser, although not the diesel autos as they now had EDC which had another means of engine immobilising.
 
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Right, I'm really confused now..... it's a two button fob 97 "r reg" 300tdi with the bosh fuel pump..... not fly by wire..... I've checked battery, starter etc and they all seem ok ....... I will look for the spider and report back

Thanks all
 
discool said:
That's okay, I've been interested in the 300 series since 1995 when I took my first test drive but didn't think much of discos then, but then went out and bought mine in 1997 :D

The first of the 300 series (1995MY) diesel or petrol had the single button fob security system and was not fitted with the so called "spider" immobiliser.
The 1996MY diesel and petrol now had the updated two button fob security system plus the spider immobiliser, although not the diesel autos as they now had EDC which had another means of engine immobilising.
Click to expand...

Ahh.. makes sense, I have seen those single button fobs, my mates N reg disco has 2 button fobs, I always assumed it was 95 but I suppose its probably a 96N plate.
Personally my disco has 2 button fobs with a 'Eureka' Spider unit and extra fobs you have to swipe over dash, The spider unit is more of a cylinder and has an LR part number on it?? Mine is a bit strange model though being 'manufactured' allegedly in may 1999, its a 3.9 Auto, 2 door, XS Trim, with plenty of extras but no air con, seems to be a bit of Land Rover Parts Bin Special designed to get rid of stock perhaps, regardless its still my favourite ever car despite its niggles :)

Anyway back to OP, if yours is a 97 Diesel auto, it should have EDC as far as I know? perhaps you could get engine number to confirm its original fitment, see here for engine prefixes 300tdi engine number - Defender Forum - LR4x4 - The Land Rover Forum, perhaps somebodies retrofitted an older engine or manual pump to it? Engine number is stamped on OSF of block just on its top face by the head.
 
That's a strange spec you have then i'm guessing? was the spider plugged in? If so I would bypass it with a plug or just cut and solder wiring, I would never trust a spider unit that's failed to work for much longer after a repair, I remember as a kid our 96 Disco had several spider issues, it was repaired a couple of times then finally bypassed late one evening in safeways car park by the AA man!
 
IMG20140925113334.jpg


IMG20140925113344.jpg

So .... The spider unit is now out and the wiring for it has been moved to a more accessible location ...... But looking at the spider it seems in a good condition...

Should I A) fix the spider by resoldering all the joints or
B) buy a bypass?
 
If the spider turns out to be ok, it might be the DDS unit. My 97 disco had a problem last August which seemed to be heat related. It would start 1st time every morning, then would play up later in the day, sometimes it would take an hour of trying (no engine turnover) before starting. Mine did not have a spider but had a black box fitted over the diesel stop solenoid. I removed this (cannot say how due to security of other peoples cars!). never had the problem again.I had tried everything else first including new key fob and looked for a spider unit in the dash. It had been getting worse and worse for months before I got to the stage of DDS removal.
 
Thanks for all the help and advice, I've now soldered the old unit and tested as a stop gap.( works perfectly) I have also ordered a bypass plug

Fingers crossed that the issue is sorted now
 
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