Can you recall trouble codes without special tools?

[mswan]

Coming from the world of older Holdens, where you can short 2 pins on the diagnostic connector and coerce the Engine check lamp to flash, then count the number of flashes to determine the trouble codes, is there a similar thing for the MY08 D3, or do I need to get a diagnostic tool?

Fortunately the D3 has a 3 month used car warranty, as we've only had it for 3 weeks and tonight the dash lit up like a christmas tree with:
* HDC fault
* Transmission fault, limited gear selection
* Suspension fault, vehicle lowering.

Nice. The car has only done 80,000km.:eek:

I certainly want to solve this before the warranty runs out!

[sheerluck]

Decent diagnostic tool required.

The level of complexity in these beasts is way, way beyond what you've come from.

[bbyer]

Fortunately the D3 has a 3 month used car warranty, as we've only had it for 3 weeks and tonight the dash lit up like a Christmas tree with:
* HDC fault
* Transmission fault, limited gear selection
* Suspension fault, vehicle lowering.

Nice. The car has only done 80,000km.:eek:

I certainly want to solve this before the warranty runs out!Welcome to the new World of Christmas Lights. I think the 3 has more than usual, certainly the software likes to light them up and in my experience, more often than not for minor reasons.

When I purchased my 3, I spent months, (actually prior to purchasing it as well), reading prior posts on the various forums.

You may wish to consider doing the same while your warranty is still in place so that when it runs out, you will have gained the confidence to at least trouble shoot your 3. You will find that for the most part, the fixes are fairly easy to do as the problems are mostly minor. The problem is that finding the fault can be at times near impossible and this is why the forums are so valuable - to learn from others.

From reading past posts, you may determine that the odds are your current problem can be solved with a new brake light switch - maybe 25 dollars and a few minutes on your knees once you know where to look - and your hands stay clean as well.

It will be interesting to see what your warranty people come up with however - not all the techs read the forums so their solutions can be scary at times.

[Graeme]

You may find the cause is a broken ABS sensor wire behind the left front wheel where the wiring harness can be rubbed through by the tyre if the harness comes adrift from its securing point.

The various systems in these vehicles rely on information from each other and loss of a wheel speed sensor causes a speed signal fault to which the gearbox and suspension ecus react by limiting functionality because they are speed sensitive.

[ADMIRAL]

Read up on the Hawkeye. Works on the D3.

[TDV6]

I got the same fault messages when I fitted new "CAN FRIENDLY" led tail light bulbs that were not so can friendly.

HTH,

Ryall

[bbyer]

I have been looking at these so called CAN BUS friendly LED bulbs and wondering what internally is different from an CAN unfriendly LED bulb.

I assume maybe they had a built in resistor or something like that but do not know.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what the theory is?

[wombathole]

I bought the IIDTOOL BT from GAP for my D4. Also considered Faultmate and Hawkeye, but decided IIDTOOL was best for me paired to an ipad mini via blue tooth. Very happy with its ability to read faults plus do a heap of other DIY maintenance stuff. ~$700 well spent if you plan to keep the car for a while or ever want to go bush. Its an essential "outback screw driver" IMO. Cheers, Andy.

[wombathole]

Bbyer,

I think this answers your question.

Fitting Discovery 4 LED Rear Lights - DISCO3.CO.UK Knowledge Base (http://www.disco3.co.uk/wiki/Fitting_Discovery_4_LED_Rear_Lights)

[sheerluck]

Read up on the Hawkeye. Works on the D3.

There's several options for the D3:

Hawkeye
Nanocom
Faultmate
IIDTool
Lynx
IDS
Autologic
Launch X431

All varying in price and features.

[Ashes]

There are many things that can cause those faults ranging from brake light bulbs, sensors, low battery, brake switch, earth leads and many other things. Unfortunately the last thing that you try will fix it..:eek:

In my case, a dodgy starter motor was the cause of mine. I still get these infrequently which I believe is due to low battery as it tends to occur most when I've had the fridge in the car for a few days.

Unfortunately the fault code readers don't necessarily detect the root of the problem in this case.