driverbus70
Member Since: 23 Apr 2014
Location: Fife
Posts: 77
  
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| Engine performance Query Disco 3 Diesil |
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Engine performance query?
Not sure about this at all but here go's. Just before Christmas I replaced both headlamp bulbs with 'super bright bulbs from Halfords. Now this is the bit My Disco 3, year 2008 70,200 miles on the clock. Now seems to run much better! The engine is smoother with more power and a better pick up! All round better pulling through the gears, it seems strange but it is a much more improved car!
How can this be ! Still the same fuel in it from our local supermarket & no other changes apart from my reverse parking sensors are not working ( which they have been off & on for the last couple of months). So can anyone shed any light (pardon the pun) on this? mystified, Thanks John 
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 2nd Jan 2015 3:56 pm |
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doz
Member Since: 15 Jun 2014
Location: Southampton
Posts: 436
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Could it be running better because the weathers colder? I've had turbo cars before which loved it when the air is denser. Or maybe when you tried the lights you were blinded and have in fact got into someone elses car 
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| 2nd Jan 2015 4:19 pm |
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adam
Member Since: 20 Sep 2005
Location: Home and Happy
Posts: 6917
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Maybe it's just seen the light?
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| 2nd Jan 2015 4:20 pm |
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driverbus70
Member Since: 23 Apr 2014
Location: Fife
Posts: 77
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Ha Ha yep I find it funny too but I am enjoying my disco more than ever now Whatever the reason is! Its running better! I have had turbo cars before too so don't think its the cold weather that's doing it, but whatever! I just hope it continues ! Cheers !
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| 2nd Jan 2015 4:36 pm |
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driverbus70
Member Since: 23 Apr 2014
Location: Fife
Posts: 77
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No to re fueling, had the car 18 months done 22,000 miles & a bit. A lot of that towing my caravan. Fill the tank up normally when it gets down to the quarter full mark. Serviced regularly, Not due a service till May when it will get it's 'big one'. Brakes etc all ok Not binding or any thing , before this quite noticeable improvement in the running. Happy I am but stumped as to WHY? Cheers Ps fuel just the normal at our local Sainsburys supermarket nothing fancy like Shell formula or out.
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| 2nd Jan 2015 6:53 pm |
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driverbus70
Member Since: 23 Apr 2014
Location: Fife
Posts: 77
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No to re fuelling, had the car 18 months done 22,000 miles & a bit. A lot of that towing my caravan. Fill the tank up normally when it gets down to the quarter full mark. Serviced regularly, Not due a service till May when it will get it's 'big one'. Brakes etc all ok Not binding or any thing , before this quite noticeable improvement in the running. Happy I am but stumped as to WHY? Cheers Ps fuel just the normal at our local Sainsburys supermarket nothing fancy like Shell formula or out.
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| 2nd Jan 2015 6:54 pm |
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Disgoeshere
Member Since: 06 Dec 2014
Location: North East
Posts: 278
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Hi
Our car a different vehicle altogether operates strange,prior to towing our car drives nice, during towing
no problem, but heavier right foot needed and slightly more effort needed to drive the car.(towing)
After the caravan is off the car and roughly 4 to 5 days later all of a sudden the car bursts back into life it's like a new car.
I was talking to a guy about this one day on site and he mentioned something about EMS,and ECU systems adjusting the vehicle engine for towing have no idea if it's correct so please no flaming.
However I did come across this info below maybe the lights are coincidence?
I think the limp mode bit for me means more right foot needed."info from the caravan club"
This info may not be fact but only trying to help .
In recent years motor vehicles have become very sophisticated electronically and vehicle ECU's control just about everything within a modern vehicle, these vehicle ECU's are now so sensitive that any slight difference to any standard programed tolerance can course the vehicle to go into limp-mode. When connecting a heavy trailer such as a caravan to a modern vehicle, the vehicle, like vehicles manufactured in years gone by will require more fuel, more air and more power will be demanded from the vehicle engine as it is pulling more weight than it would be solo. In past years this has not been a problem as cars were not ECU controlled or ECU controlled cars built a few years ago, the ECU's were not as sensitive as they are today. We now have a problem with some modern cars and over the next few years I believe this problem is going to become worse unless the vehicles ECU knows when you connect your caravan to your tow-car so it can make engine management changes ETC to allow for the towing of a heavy trailer preventing the vehicle switching into limp-mode. So in these modern times, how can the vehicles ECU detect when a trailer is connected to a tow-car? Some modern vehicles can detect a coupled trailer automatically by sensing additional bulbs and extra weight on the rear suspension ETC when a trailer is first connected to the vehicle, there should be no limp-mode problems with vehicles with this type of detection. We now get down to the route of the problem with the said vehicles that are repeatedly going into limp-mode when a caravan is connected. The ECU's on many modern vehicles built within the past few years are programed to detect a connected trailer through pin 12 within the euro plug, this is causing problems as some tow-bar fitters are not connecting relevant wire from the vehicles ECU to this pin. This maybe due to them fitting universal seven-way bypass relays to power the trailers road lighting or fitting none franchise tow-electric kits that are not compatible to use with the pin 12 detection function. It may mean that you may have to pay twice and have your current tow-electrics replaced by a genuine franchise tow-electrical kit that is solely manufactured for your vehicle alone, this maybe the only way of curring the limp-mode problem. To this end, if your vehicles ECU needs to know that you are towing by detecting through pin 12, you must address this in order to solve the problem.
Good luck
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| 2nd Jan 2015 9:56 pm |
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driverbus70
Member Since: 23 Apr 2014
Location: Fife
Posts: 77
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Hi thanks car has always run well never in limp home mode. Its just now running better! Never doubted it was going just fine but now as I say its better more crisp & responsive smoother & pulling better! Its great but I don't know why! John
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| 2nd Jan 2015 10:54 pm |
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Alan B
Member Since: 12 Feb 2013
Location: Fife
Posts: 6528
 
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If it's all going great I'd not complain
 D3 57 xs Stornaway grey
D2 02 commercial silver gone but a great servant and won't be forgotten
Iid Bluetooth
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| 2nd Jan 2015 11:06 pm |
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JMack
Member Since: 02 Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 1517
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Dare you to take the bulbs out and 'test' it again.
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| 2nd Jan 2015 11:31 pm |
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STARK
Member Since: 16 Dec 2014
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 97
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Yep^ swap the bulbs back and see what happens... I am not in danger - I am the danger - I am the one who knocks
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| 2nd Jan 2015 11:51 pm |
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