Interesting reading... How common is this?

[Robmacca]

Came across this article and made for interesting reading...

Failed electronics left us stranded in the outback with a cost of $12,000 to fix (https://unsealed4x4.com.au/failed-electronics-left-stranded-outback-cost-12000-fix/?fbclid=IwAR3qpyevnbxWWYgNdE_kW_e1_4rWHkWv5xvmmqeO ozNUF1SWVE_cwLeAm_0)

I guess this would be a one of or is it more common? Didn't like how he mentioned his engine failed some 19000kms later...

[101RRS]

A lot does not seem right in that report - failed ECU, while possible is most unlikely - sounds more like a battery/alternator and or a wiring issue.

Also why was the vehicle down on the bumpstops - must have been lowered at some stage as if there were no leaks the suspension would have stayed up for quite a while. I have driven my car over 1000km with no compressor fitted and while it did vent a bit the suspension stayed up.

[BradC]

Not common. Sounds like whomever was doing the diagnostics was a bit light on however. Unfortunately that's not unheard of from a LR dealer either.
"Apparently there are six computers, controlling everything from the suspension to the transmission, interior, and engine." And the rest!. A quick search of the CAN busses on ours shows 19 separate ECU assemblies.

As for lunching the donk, yeah that happens too. Ours was replaced by the PO at just shy of 120K.

The battery is effectively a huge surge suppressor, so an open-circuit could certainly see the sort of damage discussed in that article. That's no different to any other car though. Just the Discos are a bit harder on the battery than others due to the large array of electrickery driving the thing.

[mowog]

I have had the dead battery issue that just randomly happened. The battery wasn't that old. The car would not start even via the emergency start procedure (I had to manually unlock it). It was dead. I am lucky I have a great indi who looks after my car. The end result a dead KVM (security module) That had to come from the UK.

[Tombie]

I’d almost put money on it the alternator let go, munched the battery and then killed the vehicle the day before they found it dead.

It’s a VERY old article and nothing I bother to worry about.

Unless the owner is on here and cares to provide other fill in details explaining things like “on bump stops” which is a different error…

Or, when found dead - did they try jump starting? That’ll easily fry the ecus when the battery is shorted if done incorrectly. And that’s most likely given they had a flat battery - you’d try jumping first to get going.

[Narangga]

I’d almost put money on it the alternator let go, munched the battery and then killed the vehicle the day before they found it dead.

It’s a VERY old article and nothing I bother to worry about.

Unless the owner is on here and cares to provide other fill in details explaining things like “on bump stops” which is a different error…

Or, when found dead - did they try jump starting? That’ll easily fry the ecus when the battery is shorted if done incorrectly. And that’s most likely given they had a flat battery - you’d try jumping first to get going.

The picture with leads from one vehicle to the D3 (third picture down) has both positive and earth leads on the D3 battery...

[Arapiles]

.... I've seen that story before. I saw it on Unsealed 4x4 on the weekend and was thinking that they appear to be recycling an old story.

[Tombie]

The picture with leads from one vehicle to the D3 (third picture down) has both positive and earth leads on the D3 battery...

Thats where the fun started for them!

[PerthDisco]

When you ask old mate on the track to help you and he does the old switcheroo on the jumper lead polarity.

[Narangga]

Thats where the fun started for them!

No the fun started when he set off ill prepared for the trip with extremely limited vehicle knowledge. That just took it up a level or three [wink11]