Discovery 3 suspension or possibly battery problem

[Bens]

Hi folks

I just joined ALRO after spending a few weeks reading the informative posts whilst trying to resolve an issue I have with my 2006 Discovery TDV6 SE. It has 200k kms and has a full service history.

I love these cars. I surf a lot, it is the perfect surf vehicle having given it a good run off road in northern NSW and its beaches.

However I am having quite a few problems trying to get my mechanic to fix a few issues. A new suspension kit (compressor?) has been installed when the car dropped to the ground on me but a day later the same HDC fault which indicates the suspension is faulty came on and the car lowers. I took the car back to the mechanic for the final time I will ask him to fix it and he said there was a voltage issue with the battery causing the problem. I collected the car Friday after he charged the battery and paid him again and the car failed Saturday.

My questions are as follows: any assistance is greatly appreciated as I have read a number of forums trying to find a solution to the problem

1. When the suspension was fixed should the relay have also been replaced?
2. Could a dying battery be causing this problem?
3. I have seen on a South African forum mention that rear bulbs blown can cause this problem, I have a dim rear right bulb. Could that be it?

I thought replacing the turbo 2 months ago was an annoyance, this problem is driving me spare :-).

Cheers Ben

[LandyAndy]

Welcome Ben.
Search Brake Switch to see if that is the issue.
Im sure plenty of help is on its way.
Goodluck
Andrew

[Graeme]

A HDC fault does not indicate that the suspension is faulty, indeed exactly the opposite. The suspension will lower for any fault reported by the brake system, including a blown stop light globe which is a very minor "fault". A failing wheel speed sensor will cause various braking system faults including HDC, ABS and TC. A failing compressor or other suspension system component will not trigger a HDC fault.

[Bens]

Thanks Graheme and landyandy

I have ordered a brake switch and bulbs. Will let you know how that goes.

Much appreciated

Ben

[sniegy]

Get your battery Load Tested. That will advise if your battery is good/bad.

Cheers

[Bens]

Hey guys, the problem seems to be sorted! I had an issue with the car dropping right down and the dash telling me I had a hdc fault. LandyAndy and graham instructed me to investigate the brake system. I ordered and installed two rear brake light bulbs and a brake light switch from British off-road on the sunny coast. I installed the brake light switch using these instructions

DISCO3.CO.UK Photo Gallery - Brake Light Switch Replacement (http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=5082)

Hope it's ok to reference another forum.

Problem has gone and I have done around 500kms.

Note I pulled a repco bulb out of one of my rear lights of the same voltage and wattage. Not sure if the resistance differs.

Anyway thanks a bunch guys for the help, so good to have my car back on the road.

[TerryO]

Out of interest did you go back to the mechanic that had wrongly diagnosed the problem twice and spent a lot of your money to no avail and ask him for recompense or at least a free oil change or similar?

[Redback]

Hey guys, the problem seems to be sorted! I had an issue with the car dropping right down and the dash telling me I had a hdc fault. LandyAndy and graham instructed me to investigate the brake system. I ordered and installed two rear brake light bulbs and a brake light switch from British off-road on the sunny coast. I installed the brake light switch using these instructions

DISCO3.CO.UK Photo Gallery - Brake Light Switch Replacement (http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=5082)

Hope it's ok to reference another forum.

Problem has gone and I have done around 500kms.

Note I pulled a repco bulb out of one of my rear lights of the same voltage and wattage. Not sure if the resistance differs.

Anyway thanks a bunch guys for the help, so good to have my car back on the road.

That's a great outcome Ben, my advice would be to take your car elsewhere in future, do a search on here for recommended mechanics in your area, you need to take these cars to Land Rover specialist only

Baz.

[Bens]

To be honest Terry I don't want to see him again. Have found another mechanic that knows the cars.

[NavyDiver]

Hi Bens

I would recommend removing the filament brake lights and replacing with LED as they never fail and never have in the five years since I replaced mine. In the prior few year suspension issues due to blown globes drove me nuts!

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/145750-d3-led-rear-lights-brake-tail-blinker.html

[Bens]

cool thanks navydriver i will find the LED

[jonesfam]

Do LED lights/bulbs work in a D3's tail & brake lights?
I thought they wouldn't.
Maybe I'm confused with trailer lights.
Jonesfam

[~Rich~]

Do LED lights/bulbs work in a D3's tail & brake lights?
I thought they wouldn't.
Maybe I'm confused with trailer lights.
Jonesfam

Yes they do work, see links and pictures in the earlier posts.
Or replace the whole unit with D4 ones, buy them off eBay using the UK site
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=Discovery+4+lights&_from=R40&_osacat=9884&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XDiscovery +4+rear+taillights.TRS0&_nkw=Discovery+4+rear+taillights&_sacat=9884 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/)
Not the AU site too expensive here!

I've done both, upgrading the D3 ones and eventually replaced them with the D4 ones.

You still need to add a resistor for the blinker rate to be correct in the cabin.

Rich