Covid shortages and lack of critical spares for L322.

[vbrab]

Had an "electrical issue" with 08 L322 3.6, which required shipping car off to service shop (3300 k's away).
After checking all things that the could check, they advise that they are unable to get their diagnostics to be able to "talk" to the ECU/BCU.
It just refuses to communicate.
Next step, is Auto IT diagnostic specialist will attempt to communicate and diagnose issue, but most likely prognosis is that BCU has somehow died and will need to be replaced.
Problem is, that due to Covid this is one of those items not available globally due to lack of computer chips to make them.
Service centre advises that they currently have several Range Rovers (from 07- to current models) awaiting new BCU's, and so far it has been 5+ months wait and no delivery date in sight.

Am told BCU is "locked" to VIN, so cannot just re-map a second hand one.
Earlier P38 BCU's can evidently be "re-born" and matched to any VIN, but not later models.
So is anybody else out there waiting on a new BCU, or any other L322 parts, and what sort of wait have you had so far?

[Graeme]

Had an "electrical issue" with 08 L322 3.6, which required shipping car off to service shop (3300 k's away).
After checking all things that the could check, they advise that they are unable to get their diagnostics to be able to "talk" to the ECU/BCU.

Presumably they checked that power and earth were available at the socket, ie not a blown fuse.

[vbrab]

Presumably they checked that power and earth were available at the socket, ie not a blown fuse.

I would love it to be a fuse or something straightforward, but the lead up to the 'electrical problem", was dash lights for air bag, park brake, suspension warnings and "chimes", that came and went, then all dash lights and no ignition, then ignition and no dash lights, turn key and nothing, then turn key no dash lights, but car fires up and runs for 15 seconds and then stops.
Initially thought was alternator (as a failing alternator can play havoc with electrical and dash lights etc). Changed out alternator, checked for any cooked harness or such, but problem was same.
Got car to Perth where the guys at Rovertech have done everything they can to track through harness and modules as nothing coming out OBD plug or communicating with their diagnostic gear.
Now waiting on auto IT specialist to see if he can get any communication with vehicle system, or at least confirm that likely culprit is the BCU.
If it is, then it will be a long wait for spare part. (Covid got my car!)
Met owner of a new 2021 Range Rover Vogue in which BCU failed after a week, and he was still waiting for a replacement spare after 8 months.
At least he had a dealer loan Range Rover while he waits for his to get sorted.
At least I have a trusty D2 for transport.

[Graeme]

Might have to remove the central junction box to check for loose or broken connections.

[vbrab]

Have been trying to get a response from LRA about availability of replacement BCM's (Body Control Module) for my 07 L322.
After 3 weeks, LRA advise that I have to order the part, and then they might be able to advise a delivery timeline.
LRA advise that they don't actually import any parts, they leave that to individual dealers.

So call dealer (called several), and from VIN they ALL advise that the part number is YWC500810 (superceding part number YWC500810).
Then they also advise that LR UK no longer supply BCM's of that part number and that it is now "obsolete", and as my BCM has failed, they cannot assist because part no longer made and no replacement options.
As the BCM's are VIN locked/ VIN specific and those with "Ford' electronics (rather than BMW) cannot be re-programmed from a used unit, then it appears that car cannot be repaired.
That should be a warning to other owners, and possibly a consumer issue, as a bit harsh having to scrap a 2007 vehicle or even a later model that may be using same electronics.

What have others heard about replacing BCM's on "Ford" L322's?

PS: Have managed to find somebody selling used BCM's in Vic, who says that used BCM's can be re-programmed (he has been selling "ford" vintage 2009+ used BCM's).
Says it requires a techie who can program keys and who also has the right tech gear, and does require the vehicle and the used BCM to manage the reprogramming (and it seems they have to swap out a chip as well or some such thing), but it definitely can be done.
Looks like used BCM's might be in demand if LR have stopped making new ones.

[ozscott]

Sorry to hear this mate. It is very disappointing indeed. Cheers

[3toes]

The requirement to have parts for 8 years use needs to be reviewed as electronic no moving parts expiring are going to kill many cars that would otherwise have been kept on the road. See it as a green initiative

[vbrab]

The requirement to have parts for 8 years use needs to be reviewed as electronic no moving parts expiring are going to kill many cars that would otherwise have been kept on the road. See it as a green initiative

Aside from finding that LR UK have decided to no longer make such a critical component, they don't appear to have passed the manufacture option on to after-market options either.
If new parts were available, then it would require less technical expertise to commission those parts into the vehicle.
At very least critical components should be designed so that "authorised" services (such as locksmiths or accredited repairers), can unlock them for legitimate purposes to facilitate repair or re-programming.
As it stands, installing a used component into the vehicle is not straightforward and requires some serious tech input.
I am now sweating on whether the one WA option we have located will be able to complete the commissioning of the used item into my vehicle.
Am told there is somebody in Victoria who can do it (unknown), and evidently they need car with dud component still installed as well as the replacement part.

[Graeme]

If you own an IIDtool then you could ask Gap what they might be able to do for you.

[ozscott]

It is a disgrace for a vehicle that is not old. It is a disgrace when you think about how much life the other components have left and how many new vehicles will.have to be made to take the place of such vehicles that through such nonsense cannot keep going. Mercedes Benz still make all the parts for the SL from memory back to the early 1950's. Cheers

[scarry]

It is a disgrace for a vehicle that is not old. It is a disgrace when you think about how much life the other components have left and how many new vehicles will.have to be made to take the place of such vehicles that through such nonsense cannot keep going. Mercedes Benz still make all the parts for the SL from memory back to the early 1950's. Cheers

Slightly off topic,but still LR related,Puma gearboxes are also unavailable.

This issue is in another thread on here.
Sure they may be able to be rebuilt,but still poor form,some of the Defenders wouldnt be more than 5 or 6 years old.

[350RRC]

.................. See it as a green initiative

See it as MBA's running things rather than engineers. Boeing suffered massively from this.

DL

[3toes]

Mercedes are just as guilty there are plenty of stories on the internet about relatively young cars killed by no parts

[vbrab]

See it as MBA's running things rather than engineers. Boeing suffered massively from this.

DL
Perhaps more the MBA / "Economics" graduates, because we certainly need better managers in so many services and industries, but so many industries that rely on "selling" appear to just focus on the immediate return without consideration of long term outcomes such as the environment or even the consumer.

[3toes]

When evaluating a business I always raise a red risk flag when a business has MBA people in the wrong positions. An MBA is useful for the right person in the right place

Too often they are people with no real business experience which is where they fall down. This goes for far too many consultants as well. If they cannot demonstrate real hands on experience they are a red flag

Their problem is they tend to fall into the process is king trap. This then feeds into a 2 tier corporate structure emerging in the business where you have the doers and management.

There is a gulf between with no one moving up from doer to management. The disconnect results in short term objectives with no consideration for longer term business objectives

As a result the MBA sees each role as a short term stepping stone to the next promotion and does not care or understand about the trail of problems that follow them. With the right support and guard rails around them an MBA can though add a lot of value

[Laurie]

You just described the Public Service to a Tee !

[ramblingboy42]

quote....Slightly off topic,but still LR related,Puma gearboxes are also unavailable.

arent "puma"(the engine is the puma) gearboxes a ford item ? millions of them worldwide?

I have same gearbox in my ranger, same engine too.....why can't you get one? It's not a Land Rover part.

[vbrab]

quote....Slightly off topic,but still LR related,Puma gearboxes are also unavailable.

arent "puma"(the engine is the puma) gearboxes a ford item ? millions of them worldwide?

I have same gearbox in my ranger, same engine too.....why can't you get one? It's not a Land Rover part.

A mate had a recent insurance problem which resulted in needing a NEW engine in his Puma.
Insurer paid for a new in the crate Puma complete engine, made as a "Ford" engine in South Africa.
Maybe they are making new Puma gear boxes there as well?