Fault on D3

[ctgiles84]

I recently bought a 2005 D3. Every now and then it comes up with transmission fault, HDC fault limited gears available and then suspensions drops completely. When you turn it off and start it again they go away. The guy i bought it off said it does it when there is a drop in voltage when the car is off. I disconnected the second battery thinking it was the second battery was killing the main but still doing it. I think the main battery may be dying. Does anyone have any thoughts?

[~Rich~]

Check:
Battery condition - including when under load.
Alternator - correct output.
Brake light switch.
Brake light bulbs.

Hopefully it's a simple fix.

[ctgiles84]

Thanks will check them and see how i go. The alternator is brand new. Battery supposed to be only 12 months old. Your D3 is not much different to mine.

[sniegy]

Check transfer case ECU for water ingress from being washed!

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

[rb30gtr]

Did you end up getting to the bottom of this issue, Interested to see how what you tracked it down to?

[TerryO]

Right now my D3 is in with a long standing Automatic Fault warning. It turns out that the cable that runs from the Auto to the gearbox ECU has a seal at the auto end that has perished and has leaked tranny fluid in to the cable stuffing it.

Apparently as these cars get older this will happen to all of them in time. Having said that you can buy the seal on its own and have it replaced before it stuffs the Cable. ...:(

So folks a good idea is if your getting your auto serviced, get them to change the seal at the same time.

[rb30gtr]

Right now my D3 is in with a long standing Automatic Fault warning. It turns out that the cable that runs from the Auto to the gearbox ECU has a seal at the auto end that has perished and has leaked tranny fluid in to the cable stuffing it.

Apparently as these cars get older this will happen to all of them in time. Having said that you can buy the seal on its own and have it replaced before it stuffs the Cable. ...:(

So folks a good idea is if your getting your auto serviced, get them to change the seal at the same time.

Good advice, doing my gearbox at 188000kms and will also do the seal mentioned.
Thanks
Ben

[Rich84]

You're talking about the seal for the cable sleeve to the mechatronic unit right?

Might replace that next service.

[ctgiles84]

I am thinking it is the air suspension continuosly leveling and the battery is dying. Will test a few more things.

[Tinman]

I would properbly would say with confidence that it is the compressor. I had all the said things happen to my D3. Once I overhauled the compressor I havnt had a single fault in the last 4 months and 7000klms. All it cost me was $20 and a couple of hours of my time. It seems that if the compressor doesn't get the air up quick enough it starts throwing faults. Since I overhaul the compressor it works like it did when I purchased the D3
Cheers

[Graeme]

I am thinking it is the air suspension continuosly leveling and the battery is dying. Will test a few more things.
If the suspension is continually settling whilst parked then there's a leak somewhere but levelling downwards does not consume much power, only enough to open the corner air valves occasionally. Maintaining height with the engine running uses the compressor but if the voltage is too low then no height increases will be allowed, not the lowered safe mode which is triggered by a fault generated by the ABS ecu, eg the HDC fault. HDC requires some other systems (eg gbox and TC as Sniegy suggested) to be fully functional so any fault in those will disable HDC.

You need to see what fault codes are being stored. It may indeed be caused by a failing battery but not due to the suspension levelling.

[NavyDiver]

Check:
Battery condition - including when under load.
Alternator - correct output.
Brake light switch.
Brake light bulbs.

Hopefully it's a simple fix.

X 2
Replace the brake, trail lights and blinkers with LED to avoid future problems See http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/145750-d3-led-rear-lights-brake-tail-blinker.html

[Ashes]

There are so many things this could be and it will be last fix that corrects it:D
I had similar problems that increased over time but didnt have the suspension drop. For me it was a failing starter motor.

[ctgiles84]

So i have got to the bottom of why i was getting faults on the D3. My second battery is dead so when it was connected it was draining the main battery causing a voltage drop. so time to buy a new second battery. thinking optima. Any suggestions?