Discovery 3 Suspension faults - needs help with troubleshooting

[mendi1978]

Hello everyone,

I purchased a used 2006 2.7 SE TDV6 - Discovery 3 earlier this year from a non-LR dealor (also a generic service/repair centre) in east of melbourne. Havent had any issues until two weeks back when I first saw an amber light for a suspension fault. This fault generally comes after 10 or so minutes of driving. Once this error comes, the height settings do not work any more (e.g. changing from normal height to four wheel height). If I continue to drive the car with the error ON and go above 65-70kmph at a stretch - the AMBER error turns into a RED light, the vehicle lowers down to the access suspension height and ride becomes very very bumpy. Doing a restart of car after a wait of 5-10 minutes removes the error for driving the next 10 minutes again.

Also not sure if it is Ok to continue driving when the suspension is at the lowest height - as the car dash gives warning - max speed of 30 miles/hr.

http://imageshack.us/a/img11/4473/kjdx.jpg

Took it to the dealor yesterday where I bought this car from, he did some initial diagnostics and found these errors (that he said he sent to land rover tech team to seek assistance from).

ALL TERRAIN CONTROL MODULE
U0402-94 invalid data received from transmission control module
U0421-94 invalid data received from control module

TRANSMISSION CONRTOL MODULE
Lost communication with instrument cluster control module
VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL MODULE
U0421-68 invalid data received from ride level control module
U0132-87 lost communication with ride level control module
RIDE LEVEL CONTROL MODULE
C1a75-1c rear right height sensor mechanism
U01131-92 air supply performance incorrect
C1a06-1c rear right height sensor
C1a07-62 cross articulation
C1a20-64 pressure increase to slow when filling reservoir
C112f-72 air spring valve
C1130-66 air spring air supply
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
U0132-87 lost communication with ride level control module
U0184-87 lost communication with audio unit
BODY CONTROL MODULE
B1b02-28 low frequency coil
B1c57-14 unused relay drive
B1d12-15 volumetric alarm power circuit

Car doesn’t have a sunroof so no leaks around the dashboard aera have left vehicle up over night and doesn’t go down
The reading are as follows
Ride Heights
Front left 11 front right 7 rear left-9 rear right -47
Front left volt 2.43 front right volt 2.38 r/l volt 2.01
r/r volt 1.33
pressure supply 101 gallery pressure 1433 press supply volt4.91

what he also noticed that c112f-72 air spring supply (actuator stuck open)..

Landrover Tech team have come back this morning suggesting - replacing with a brand new compressor. Cost to me has been quoted to be around $1500 for parts and $300 for labour and the mechanic still not sure if all faults will go away.

I do have a 3 year extended warranty through NWC but I am told this isnt covered under that.

I am not at all skillful when it comes to car repairs (although a mechanical engineer myself).. :(...

Any suggestions or help?

http://imageshack.us/a/img545/6208/4dq6.jpg

[BigJon]

Almost certainly going to be a compressor issue. Even with basic skills it is a pretty simple home replacement exercise.

I would push hard for reasons why the warranty doesn't cover it.

[Marmoset]

Your rear ride height sensor also looks as though it's faulty or needs recalibrating. This could be the connector/wires corroded or the height sensor itself.

Why does the warranty company think they don't cover it? It's a pretty integral part of the car and quite a major component - I'd challenge them more about not paying out.

[101RRS]

Costs also seem a bit high.

[Graeme]

Almost certainly going to be a compressor issue.X2, with the amber light being due to the reservoir pressure
not rising quickly enough after the vehicle has attained the target height then the red light due to not being able to raise the vehicle quickly enough to attain the current target height.

[mendi1978]

Almost certainly going to be a compressor issue. Even with basic skills it is a pretty simple home replacement exercise.

I would push hard for reasons why the warranty doesn't cover it.

Thanks BigJon..

I checked with the warranty company and they advised that its not an item thats mentioned on the product cover letter and so isnt covered./...

Disappointing...:mad:

Cheers

[101RRS]

So the cover does individually mention the other 5000 odd components in the car - I think not. I think you are being told porkies.

[RANDLOVER]

If the compressor is making air but not enough or slowly it could be due to a blocked intake. I believe they have a moisture absorbing dessicant on the inlet side. I prefer refrigerated driers myself but that is for larger plant/equip.

[mendi1978]

Your rear ride height sensor also looks as though it's faulty or needs recalibrating. This could be the connector/wires corroded or the height sensor itself.


Why do you think so about the rear height sensor - looking at the pic, is it?

[mendi1978]

X2, with the amber light being due to the reservoir pressure
not rising quickly enough after the vehicle has attained the target height then the red light due to not being able to raise the vehicle quickly enough to attain the current target height.

Thanks Greame - this is what I have been informed by my local mechanic too.

[mendi1978]

So the cover does individually mention the other 5000 odd components in the car - I think not. I think you are being told porkies.

No, It is an extended warranty from the national warranty company. It covers whats mentioned in this booklet that I have from them... unfortunately suspension and compressor are not..:(

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Marmoset]

Why do you think so about the rear height sensor - looking at the pic, is it?


The ride height reading for the rear right sensor is a whole lot different to the left rear. It could always be a new one on there that hasn't been calibrated.

[Trngia]

I had exactly the same problem with my D3 and had to get the compressor replaced. Also my extended warranty wouldn't cover it either. The new compressor is supposed to be a lot more reliable.

[BigJon]

No, It is an extended warranty from the national warranty company. It covers whats mentioned in this booklet that I have from them... unfortunately suspension and compressor are not..:(

http://imageshack.us/a/img809/7563/npfb.jpg


Which plan are you? The reason I ask is the electrical system is covered from $350 to $1400 depending on your level of cover. The compressor is electrical....

[101RRS]

No, It is an extended warranty from the national warranty company. It covers whats mentioned in this booklet that I have from them... unfortunately suspension and compressor are not..:(



Hmmm - I bought my car from the same place as you got yours - was offered the extended warranty but declined. I am glad I did on the basis of your experience.

For those that have it, does the Allianz (not Alliance) extended warranty cover this sort of thing?

Garry

[timdo1]

I'm feeling your pain brother.

Where did you get that price from. Thats better than my $2200 from Doncaster.

[Rostbiff]

Hi Guys.
For what its worth Im just going through the same stuff with replacement compressor ( not the warranty part). Just got a price for new comp $990 plus aprox $350 to fit. Mechanic will check for other problems before fitting new.:(

[BigJon]

$350 seems like a lot to fit. Should only take about an hour, including checking / clearing fault codes.

[ctgiles84]

I replaced mine due to compressor completely failing but is a very simple process so am sure you could do it. If you can wait then try getting from England. I know should keep money in Aus but they are not realistic about these things. I was worried also but worked out rather well.

[mendi1978]

Hi Guys.
For what its worth Im just going through the same stuff with replacement compressor ( not the warranty part). Just got a price for new comp $990 plus aprox $350 to fit. Mechanic will check for other problems before fitting new.:(

Thanks - Got mine replaced through ULR in Malvern yesterday.

Paid $850 for compressor and $275 for labour as a bundled deal for this product - fortunately found this on special on their eBay store... For walk-in/booking customers its standard $1400+ for parts plus labour.

Labour I think - $275 is still high; took the mechanic a total of 20 minutes for initial diagnostic check and another 55 minutes for replacement and final checks etc. I was keenly watching him from around a cricket pitch away... Their avg labour is $170 per hr I think so am thinking I still paid higher than needed..

Drove the car home and the suspension fault came back 3-4 times intermittently. It hasnt stayed. So currently waiting/watching to see if it causes more trouble, if it does will take it back to them.

Had to pay my mechanic another $165 for his labour and diagnostics too prior..:mad::mad:

[mendi1978]

Which plan are you? The reason I ask is the electrical system is covered from $350 to $1400 depending on your level of cover. The compressor is electrical....

I am on Plan D - how do I prove that air compressor should come under electrical? Any idea?

[Marmoset]

Well, it has wires into it, it's got an electrical motor associated with it, it's control philosphy is based upon electrical signals. You could be onto something with your train of thought - it is too easy just to dismiss it as "suspension" component.

I'd also ask them to define the term suspension and what their suspension coverage includes on higher policies - it would help if they don't mention compressor and just keep it to control arms/bushes/springs/shocks.

Edit - I Just noticed that the power window motors are specifically identified separately from electrical systems, I'd classify them as electrics myself, but no mention of a compressor being separated. They do seem to have left a few holes in there to poke at...

Do you know what specifically failed on the compressor, was it the motor?