Engine system fault

[CraigH]

I borrowed my folks D4 and caravan for a trip north to surfers. About 59 km south of Taree I had a warning appear "system engine fault" along with the red triangle. I also believe there was a drop in power before I pulled over in a rest stop and called LR assist.
They advised me to do a reset by locking/ unlocking the doors 3 times but the fault warning still persisted. They asked me to drive to see of power was restored and all seemed to be normal except for the warning light.
A brief glance of the forums and it seems this happens a lot when people are towing.
Ill continue on to the Gold Coast and contact the dealer up there for further investigation.
Does anyone know is this a software problem?

The vehicle has only travelled 28000km so far and is a 2010 model.
Cheers
Craig

[Tombie]

How many services has it had?
Including mid time?
It may have missed an update...

[CraigH]

Last one was service "A" at 15000km March 2012

[Tombie]

It's well due (over) for a service...

[CraigH]

We were going to get the "b" service done when we get back. Might as well get that done when they look at the fault warning.

[Tombie]

Dad has a D3... MY2008 with 27,000 on it..

It's had 6 oil changes, and 4 full services from new!

These are not vehicles to neglect servicing - especially one that's towing!!!!
That oil is now 28,000km old...

Look after it or it will cost you a lot more!

Safe and enjoyable journey to you all.

[Graeme]

There has been a couple of ecm updates since March.

[Barryp]

LR have been making these vehicles to basically the same design since 2005!
Software update issues should not be causing vehicles to fail after 8 years of development.
This is ridiculous.
By the way, mine have never had these issues, maybe I have been lucky.
Regards
Barryp

[Graeme]

The software updates are for the 3.0 engine. Its software has a lot of plausibility cross-checks, perhaps because of having 2 turbos and 2 MAFs but perhaps also due to more stringent EU5 emission requirements, and some of the resultant rules have required adjustment to cater for more extreme but acceptable use.

[CSBrisie]

Common issue - esp if using cruise control while towing - mine was fixed by dealer with software update and has been fine since (2010 model); was not hapy at the time though....

[Barryp]

Graeme,

I had a 2.7 LR3 and now a 3 Litre RR Sport. My comment still stands, these constant software updates should be sorted during development and not years after the vehicles go into production. The 3 litre twin turbo has been around for a few years now!
Regards
Barryp

[gghaggis]

I think Graeme's point is that as legislation changes around the world, so too must the characteristics of an engine that is targeted for that market. A vehicle that can have its performance characteristics varied via software updates is obviously the more economical option for the manufacturer.

This then leads to the option of being able to update an existing vehicle as different performance characteristics are explored by the design engineers. Take as an example after-market tuners. Their maps are continually improved, and the ability to flash them into the ECM is what makes this financially feasible for them. So there will always be software updates.

In terms of rectifying actual faults, software can never be 100% foolproof. On the one hand there is generally less faulting of software systems in comparison with purely mechanical systems (which need constant adjusting). On the other though, software faults can propagate through to quite unrelated systems, something that rarely happens with mechanical systems. In the software system, it is impossible to test every combination and permutation of signal paths and environment. But given that this is the reality, I'd prefer the ability to have them fixed via free software updates. I think most people would.

Cheers,

Gordon

[Graeme]

The 3 litre twin turbo has been around for a few years now!I agree that LR have been tardy with fixing their s/w bugs but hope that performance, or rather non-performance s/w issues should be history now. However they still haven't properly sorted the cruise control button use. I'm not referring to the inadequate checking of current speed and failure to timely adjust fueling to prevent excessive over or under speed, rather that if resume is pressed whilst overspeed then speed increase is pressed within 1 or 2 seconds, setspeed is changed to the current speed. Once CC is enabled, the increase and decrease buttons should only increase and decrease speed, never setting the setspeed to the current speed. LR s/w seems to often be sloppy.

[CraigH]

Had the D4 into Bruce Lynton to get the fault checked and a 2year service too. Turns out it was as expected a software update that was required.

I also mentioned to them a dashboard creaking noise that comes from the R/h side of the dash when travelling on a patchy or rough road. Turns out they had had several of them with the same problem. The reason is the dashboard locating pins rubbing on the gromits that sit in the firewall/ body of the vehicle, so the dash has to come out. It's a all day job for another day.

Has anyone else experanced this dashboard creaking noise?

Cheers
Craig

[scarry]

Turns out it was as expected a software update that was required.



Has anyone else experanced this dashboard creaking noise?

Cheers
Craig

I wonder how much those software updates are going to cost once the vehicle is out of warranty?They do seem a common issue.

The dash in mine seems to sort of buzz on the drivers side on certain road surfaces.

Only slightly annoying,so have been putting up with it so far.

[CraigH]

This is a clear, short "creak" noise that sounds when the road is uneven or patchy, so I guess when the body is flexing. The noise fits in with what the dealer was describing.

[But 'n' Ben]

Hi Craig, no dash squeak from my D4 3.0L, but back to your original post.
On 10th Jan, was returning home from a day on Rainbow Beach, heading South to Sunshine Coast, when I experienced the 'Dreaded' Red triangle, and associated Degraded power warning, and the car had gone into limp mode.
My son contacted LR assist, while I continued along the motorway. They suggested we pull over, and reset the Computer by the doors shutting method.
Just before pulling over, I got the Amber Engine fault Logo come on. Resetting actions did not clear faults, so continued home in low power Limp mode.
Flatbedded to LR Dealership early next morning.
Dealership could not do anything till 14th, due prior workload. Various checks carried out, and on 15th, were going to change Turbo Actuator, as the operating rod was suspect. Checked progress this morning, 17th, and was told that LR Australia are requesting a whole host of further checks, wiring looms amongst them.I didn't ask if Actuator had achieved anything, but looks like these other checks are a prelude to a Turbo change, involving body off procedure.
Further time car is in garage, and as I have a Club Camping week planned for 21-25th, I have had to De-Mothball my trusty 100 Series LC.
My D4 is a MY11 with 19,000 Kms. It had an oil change at 8600kms, and again at 14600 when having it's Annual/26,000 service.
Limp home mode is a great option to have if you are getting home from the shops, or have Highway all the way home, but any thing other than that, upsets alot of fellow motorists, and one has to be 'Thick Skinned' to ignore their reactions.
Will keep this thread updated with the outcome.
Don.

[scarry]

I think Graeme's point is that as legislation changes around the world, so too must the characteristics of an engine that is targeted for that market. A vehicle that can have its performance characteristics varied via software updates is obviously the more economical option for the manufacturer.

This then leads to the option of being able to update an existing vehicle as different performance characteristics are explored by the design engineers. Take as an example after-market tuners. Their maps are continually improved, and the ability to flash them into the ECM is what makes this financially feasible for them. So there will always be software updates.

In terms of rectifying actual faults, software can never be 100% foolproof. On the one hand there is generally less faulting of software systems in comparison with purely mechanical systems (which need constant adjusting). On the other though, software faults can propagate through to quite unrelated systems, something that rarely happens with mechanical systems. In the software system, it is impossible to test every combination and permutation of signal paths and environment. But given that this is the reality, I'd prefer the ability to have them fixed via free software updates. I think most people would.

Cheers,

Gordon

Once the vehicle is out of warranty,i wonder how 'free' these will be,particularly if the vehicle is not serviced at a dealer

[jonesy63]

Has anyone else experanced this dashboard creaking noise?

Craig - yes. The dealer attempted to fix it with some special expanding foam stuff they have ($85 a bottle). They say it is not a dash out repair.

After the corrugations from my Broome trip, the fix didn't work. I had 48,000km service last week and they were out of stock of the foam - so will get it done when they say it is in.

Cheers,
Rob

[trif]

I too was stuck by the "Engine System Fault" red triangle warning lamp just last Saturday. A bit miffed as l was in the high country north of Newcastle and limp mode is not fun. Thankfully the downhill run home made it a bit easier. I found the car regained power (for variable lengths of time) by turning of the ignition, waiting for computer shut down, and then heading off again.

I must say the Newcastle dealership were excellent. I took the car straight to them. The workshop was technically closed but mechanics were on site clearing a backlog of work. A quick ECU interrogation revealed a 'diesel injector fault' and 30 minutes later after a software update l was off and running again. I'm happy it was a quick fix. Unhappy that it ruined my day in the high country. Just lucky l wasn't in more remote country.

[BenD4]

I must say the Newcastle dealership were excellent. I took the car straight to them. The workshop was technically closed but mechanics were on site clearing a backlog of work. A quick ECU interrogation revealed a 'diesel injector fault' and 30 minutes later after a software update l was off and running again. I'm happy it was a quick fix. Unhappy that it ruined my day in the high country. Just lucky l wasn't in more remote country.

That's good to hear as this is where I will be getting mine serviced, if it ever comes.