Disco 3 issues

[Fleur Smith]

We have a 2009 disco 3. We've had various issues since we got it 18 mths ago. Issues include brake light switch, then transmission module, airbag/compressor issue on oonadatta tk, then latest issue with connecting camper trailer which has triggered warning lights. Each issue has been very inconvenient as the car has gone into limp mode and is unable to drive. We love our landrovers but are seriously considering selling this one as we find it unreliable and do long outback trips and concerned we'll be stranded. We have a diagnostic computer we keep in the car, tried hard resets etc. Have we purchased a car made on a Friday or is this model just unreliable. We love this car but only have issues which is inconvenient and costly. Has anyone else had similar issues?

[DiscoJeffster]

A couple of the issues you mention are extremely common and should be done as part of preemptive maintenance before you head out remote. I agree that it’s disappointing but many issues are avoidable if they’re dealt with before you leave. A compressor refresh if you are unsure if it’s age or status for example. Carrying a brake light switch or preemptively replacing it like I have, before it failed. Carrying a couple of spares such as suspension sensors and abs sensors never hurts. Even if you don’t fit them, having them so someone else competent can will save time and money.
Obviously you cannot plan for everything, but a run through the common issues and spares to carry will go a long way to ensuring issues don’t happen when on remote journeys.

[SeanC]

I am going to jinx myself, but the worst I've had with my 2008 D3 in 5 years of ownership, is a sticking waste gate valve which caused a slight loss in power. 20 mins at the mechanic and $130 and all is sweet. There's a few niggles. The water in fuel warning comes on occasionally if I do a water crossing and I need a new coolant bottle as I am getting the low coolant warning. But hey it's a Land Rover.

[4bee]

A couple of the issues you mention are extremely common


With respect, I think it would certainly help if you mentioned those as Fleur is asking for advice & reading that she (?) would be none the wiser, if you get my drift.

[DiscoJeffster]

With respect, I think it would certainly help if you mentioned those as Fleur is asking for advice & reading that she (?) would be none the wiser, if you get my drift.

A troll through the stickies is a must if I must spell it out. In those, especially the key items for servicing, most issues are covered. It’s a Discovery, the list is too long to type!

[BradC]

Has anyone else had similar issues?

Yep, and worse. I'm pretty sure the Discovery was designed by a genius of 4wd design, it's just that good. I'm also sure the design was engineered and implemented by a group of escapees from the local sheltered workshop, it's just that bad. A hybrid of the best of Landrover and the worst of Ford.

I have Stockholm syndrome with mine.

Read all the stickies, download the entire workshop manual and keep a copy in the car, get an IID tool and make sure you have a well equipped workshop. Enjoy the superlative ride and off-road abilities whenever it's not left you stranded by the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.

[4bee]

A troll through the stickies is a must if I must spell it out. In those, especially the key items for servicing, most issues are covered. It’s a Discovery, the list is too long to type!



A couple of the issues you mention are extremely common

So, you didn't really mean a couple of issues then?[bighmmm]

[DiscoJeffster]

So, you didn't really mean a couple of issues then?[bighmmm]

[emoji849]
Brake switch which causes the car to drop down or not accelerate.
Air compressors that fail. Service before they do fail especially before a big trip.
Tail light globes on D3 which causes similar issues at the brake switch.
The need to service the transmission regularly.
The recommendation to carry a few spares for electronic suspension failures (refer to sticky).

Etc.

I suggest people invest some time themselves reviewing the stickies and become acquainted with common issues.

If all that is too hard then either be prepared for failures when you least want them or move on from the brand. They’re a complicated beast and require investment.

[Markus1]

DJ. I had a look at the relatively small list of important travelling spares (height,rod,wheel speed sensors, brake globes and switch). Seemingly a single failure of any one of these items can cause suspension lowering which is a bit of a concern to me. Do you know if the iidtool can override these types of errors and temporarily pump up the suspension long enough for you to pull the EAS fuse? If I'm stuck down a track I can live without TC but obviously screwed if stuck in access height.


When my compressor started dying recently the mechanic was able to force the suspension up with his wizbang computer even though it was boinging errors at him. I then pulled the fuse and was good until next day when it all got fixed anyhow. Not sure of the Iidtools capabilities?

Cheers.
Mark

[shack]

I am going to jinx myself, but the worst I've had with my 2008 D3 in 5 years of ownership, is a sticking waste gate valve which caused a slight loss in power. 20 mins at the mechanic and $130 and all is sweet. There's a few niggles. The water in fuel warning comes on occasionally if I do a water crossing and I need a new coolant bottle as I am getting the low coolant warning. But hey it's a Land Rover.Our coolant reservoir on an 07 D3 has just cracked as well, hoping the aftermarket ones are fine, but it's probably something worth keeping an eye on now for anyone with a vehicle this age,

Cheers James

[Ean Austral]

Our coolant reservoir on an 07 D3 has just cracked as well, hoping the aftermarket ones are fine, but it's probably something worth keeping an eye on now for anyone with a vehicle this age,

Cheers James

I got a aftermarket 1 thru roverlord spares who are a vendor on this site , bolted straight in and no issues.

I suggest for the extra few $$$ get yourself a new cap . Mine lost its thread about 12 months later and it’s not good seeing coolant on your front wheel .

Cheers Ean

[4bee]

For the 3.9 V8, apparently the one to use is a Genuine white tank.

As mentioned they are sold without a cap (why?) & IMHO this 'may' be where the splitting problem originated in that the pressure relief valve in the cap may not operate for whatever reason & I often add a burst of WD40 to mine, for what it is worth.

[Graeme]

DJ. I had a look at the relatively small list of important travelling spares (height,rod,wheel speed sensors, brake globes and switch). Seemingly a single failure of any one of these items can cause suspension lowering which is a bit of a concern to me. Do you know if the iidtool can override these types of errors and temporarily pump up the suspension long enough for you to pull the EAS fuse? If I'm stuck down a track I can live without TC but obviously screwed if stuck in access height.


When my compressor started dying recently the mechanic was able to force the suspension up with his wizbang computer even though it was boinging errors at him. I then pulled the fuse and was good until next day when it all got fixed anyhow. Not sure of the Iidtools capabilities?

Cheers.
Mark
The cascading effect of a fault in a related system that triggers the suspension to lower can often be overcome by starting the engine, raising to normal height then immediately pulling the 20A engine bay suspension fuse before the other systems have detected their errors, which usually don'r occur whilst not moving. Having removed the 20A suspension fuse, also remove the 5A passenger compartment suspension fuse as that fuse is the ignition sense and with out it the suspension ecu doesn't know that the engine is running and therefore doesn't issue its regular annoying messages.

PS LLAMS can override lowered to access height but you would need to have other uses for it to warrant the expense.

[DiscoJeffster]

Graeme. You’ve prompted me to try out some of the failure scenarios such as a faulty height sensor. It would be good to understand how that can be dealt with eg can I use the ‘manually inflate corners’ IID option to raise the car back up and then lock the mode or pull the fuse as you suggest. I carry a front and rear ABS sensor to avoid losing the 4wd capability, but not height sensors.

[Graeme]

The suspension wont drop at all with the loss of only 1 height sensor but will drop to the bump-stops if it looses 2 or more height sensors. A faulty height sensor can be worse than a dead one so disconnecting it (unplugging the electrical connector) is a practical option. The loss of an ABS sensor will have more impact.

[Fleur Smith]

Thanks everyone. I've owned 6 labdrovers including 2 discos and am now seriously considering a prado or isuzu. We carry a spare brakelight switch, have a diagnostic tool, know how to do a hard reset etc.but to no avail. I think sometimes a car can be too complicated. It's a pity as it's a beautiful vehicle to drive.

[Markus1]

Fleur...How do you do a hard reset....it's that joining the battery lug terminals together?

[Markus1]

Graeme. That's good to know about the EAS fuses. Might even be sensible to pull it prior to wading as long as there's are no unintended consequences.

I assume that either a single dodgy abs sensor or pulling the EAS fuse doesn't do anything stupid like preventing use of low range or reduced engine power. If so would be a problem in steep off-road.

Can't wait to get the iidtool.

Cheers. Have a good end to 2018.

[DiscoJeffster]

I think sometimes a car can be too complicated. It's a pity as it's a beautiful vehicle to drive.

Yep. Can’t disagree. The more functionality there is, the more chance of failure.