Defender 2009 HI/LO range indicator

[dcale]

Hi, guys for a while now I have not had a Hi/Lo indicator on my dash, and to come to think of it I can't remember ever seeing one, and I am pretty sure my TC is not working effectively. Note, my TC indicator still comes on.

Q1) So my first question is can some one confirm if a 2009 defender has a dash light for low range, and have you seen it work?

Assuming I do have a indicator, I have traced the signal from the switch on the transfer case to the instrument cluster and it appears to be working, changing form >3M ohm to 30 ohms when in low range. Hence I can only concluded that the LED in the dash has failed.

Q2) So my second question is, noting my lack of confidence in my TC when in low range, is there a separate TC mode - more aggressive, for when in low range?

Q3) Is there a way I can confirm that the low range signal is getting back to the TC controller, assuming there is a different map for low range. Would a nanocom help with diagnosis?

Look forward to response to help narrow down where to look next.

Darren

[Graz]

I can only go on my 99 130. The only indicator light is for the CDL, its never had one for the high/low.
The indicator light became intermittent and turned out to be wear in the selector linkage and the center diff was not actually locking. I remember thinking its hill climbing performance was poor once I found found the cause.
Cheers
Graz

[tact]

its a documented feature... in the Puma defenders at least... there is no indication on the dash when lo range is selected. (Yes there seems to be a space in the dash for it, etc, but no...)

For completeness there is a whole other LCD in the dash not used at all. There are also other indicators used only for some markets (e.g. a lamp when exceeding a certain speed)

[dcale]

its a documented feature... in the Puma defenders at least... there is no indication on the dash when lo range is selected. (Yes there seems to be a space in the dash for it, etc, but no...)

For completeness there is a whole other LCD in the dash not used at all. There are also other indicators used only for some markets (e.g. a lamp when exceeding a certain speed)

Thanks Tact, I guess I can stop looking now. I still think my TC is not working I see videos of crossed up pumas and they keep driving mine gets crossed up and sits there spinning the free wheels, guess I'll just get an e-locker. Anyway I can put this theory to bed.
Thanks for you help
Darren.

[tact]

Are you sure your beast had traction control fitted? Mine didn't (and no factory option for it) - but that's because LR Malaysia just doesn't offer it here.

Definitely it's not working if you spin wheels and go nowhere when cross axled.

[dcale]

Are you sure your beast had traction control fitted? Mine didn't (and no factory option for it) - but that's because LR Malaysia just doesn't offer it here.

Definitely it's not working if you spin wheels and go nowhere when cross axled.

Yeah, definitely got it. I remember when it was new, I could feel it kicking in eg the car would loose momemt temporary then just keep on driving. Now it just seams to make the noise, flash the light on the dash but to no real affect.

[POD]

There is a switch on the selectors that is activated when low range is selected but there is no 'low range' lamp, the switch is a feed for the ECU, I think it just activates the idle-up in low 1st and low reverse. You could put a multimeter across the switch to see if it is closing contact when low is selected.

[dcale]

There is a switch on the selectors that is activated when low range is selected but there is no 'low range' lamp, the switch is a feed for the ECU, I think it just activates the idle-up in low 1st and low reverse. You could put a multimeter across the switch to see if it is closing contact when low is selected.

The switch changes from close to an open circuit to ~30ohms so I am happy the switch is functional. The switch connects directly to the instrument cluster. From here I only assume its state is communicated back down the cbus to the ECU. Hence my question would a Nanocom device be able to confirm if this low range signal is making it through. As I have also read (can't remember where) that when in low range the traction control is more aggressive.

[tact]

The switch changes from close to an open circuit to ~30ohms so I am happy the switch is functional. The switch connects directly to the instrument cluster. From here I only assume its state is communicated back down the cbus to the ECU. Hence my question would a Nanocom device be able to confirm if this low range signal is making it through. As I have also read (can't remember where) that when in low range the traction control is more aggressive.

Coupla things go on when lo range is selected in a TDCi.
1. The throttle maps are all changed as soon as lo range is selected. (Alters throttle response curves).

2. When in lo 1st and lo rev (as already mentioned) idle revs are increased a few hundred rpm.

3. (No experience with traction control ....)

[POD]

Will plug my nanocom in and have a look when I get the chance, I don't recall whether there is an indication for high/low range- never had reason to check it.

[tact]

Forgot to add to my last comment how to use the info given:

Without a nanocom you can tell if the signal is getting through.

Go into lo range. Select 1st gear and let the clutch out with no applied throttle. You are now puttering forward slowly at idle revs, and just a few seconds after the clutch is fully out your idle revs should go up from around 800rpm to about 1100rpm. If so the signal is getting through.

Just to be clear there are three conditions that need to be met to see the idle jack feature kick in (idle revs raised):
- Lo range selected
- 1st or reverse selected
- clutch pedal fully up

If you were to now give it a bit of a thrash through the gears while in lo range you should notice that the throttle response is quite different to when in hi range. Again shows the signal/switch are all working as they should.

[dcale]

Forgot to add to my last comment how to use the info given:

Without a nanocom you can tell if the signal is getting through.

Go into lo range. Select 1st gear and let the clutch out with no applied throttle. You are now puttering forward slowly at idle revs, and just a few seconds after the clutch is fully out your idle revs should go up from around 800rpm to about 1100rpm. If so the signal is getting through.

Just to be clear there are three conditions that need to be met to see the idle jack feature kick in (idle revs raised):
- Lo range selected
- 1st or reverse selected
- clutch pedal fully up

If you were to now give it a bit of a thrash through the gears while in lo range you should notice that the throttle response is quite different to when in hi range. Again shows the signal/switch are all working as they should.

Great advice, I'll give that a go!

[POD]

I plugged my nanocom in this morning and scrolled through every possible screen, as far as I can tell there is nothing to say whether the transfer is in high or low.

[DiscoMick]

As others have said, no high-low light on my 2009, but there is an indicator for the centre diff lock.
My TC is definitely working and I have seen it stop spinning wheels. When you start and drive off the TC light should be on and then it goes off at about 8 km/h I think from memory.
Is there a fuse specifically for the TC? I haven't looked.
Putting it in low range changes various characteristics.
Idle up definitely works in low range on mine. I can take my feet off the pedals and it will idle over obstacles without stalling. Great feature - my BIL with his 80 series really envies it, since he stalls a lot.
Hope that helps.