Thread: Traction control noise

You are hearing the ABS pump which is needed for traction control operation. Its absolutely normal, just very noticible. Its not doing a self-check, just working.

Yer sounds very normal

Relax.. Traction control does make a kind of buzzing/grinding noise when it's active. Mine is older than yours.. but I have aftermarket diff lock actuation....

Whether the CDL is locked or not TC will buzz when actually working (not just turned on)....you should see however if the CDL is locked TC will cut in less often.... unless you have a very big right foot..

Mark

Originally Posted by Discotd5fan

Hello all!

We have a 2003 Landrover Discovery TD5. Just a quick question, our model is the one where the centre diff lock has be re-introduced(dont know if that makes a difference or not). When the traction control cuts in (i.e. spinning wheels) there is a "growling" noise that is made. I called landrover and asked them about this and they said it was normal for the system to make a noise and that it was just the system doing a 'self check.' However, I would hate to go serious 4x4ing on some steep slippery rocks/dirt or on the beach where the wheels are constantly spinning and the traction control kept coming on cause the noise it makes is un-settling. Can anyone shed some light on this issue? It is going in for a service this coming monday so i would like to pose the question to Landrover.
Any ideas why this would be happening or whether or not it is normal would be great.
P.S. it doesnt matter if the centre diff lock is in or not it still makes the noise

Sounds horrible but quite normal it`s the noise of the shuttle valve doing its job.
In the past if the unit packed up it was a complete replacement of the Modulator unit$$$$$$ but a shuttle valve overhaul kit is now available for lots less$.

Trev,

Cheers for that. About the modulator, fortunatly for us, landrover replaced this unit under warrenty cause the traction control light and a few other kept coming on while driving so that is good. thank god we didnt have to pay to replace that

Jeff

all normal....

However...

If your brake bleed or fluid is not top notch you will notice the pump working more and i will be noiser than standard. (shoot the mechanic who let it out with a bad bleed)

it will also be more prominant if you put your foot on the brake before switch on.

you will come to love it as your indicator that you are using the Disco for what its meant for. I have towed a 2.2 tonn dual axle van through soft beach sand with mine chattering away...you know its there because it sounds like sledge hammers going off under the hood....put your vehicle in neutral and use HDC in low range occasionally down a drive way for example and you will cycle the valves and fluid and keep the sludge from building up and keep the ABS modulator unit in good nick..then get the fluid changed very 30,000-50,000 and also when your using it, using plenty of right foot and keep the gas on - when you back off it momentarily stops working. You will find that to get the best from it you need to practice with it and its another traction aid. You will find that taking off in soft sand, its not as good as CDL and that in the soft sand - very deep - it wanders a bit more than a centre diff locked vehicle, but apart from that its magic and when other vehicles without lockers front or rear or traction control get axle twisted and stop...you will keep going with plenty of right foot.

Cheers

Ozscott is spot on regarding the need to constantly "exercise" the HDC/ETC functionality. It's a case of "use it or lose it".

Cheers,

Lawrance Lee
'99 DII V8 auto