Landrover Discovery 3 TDV6 SE, CONCURRENT PROBLEMS (POSSIBLY ELECTRICAL)

[Mark from Adelaide]

I have a 2008 plate Landrover Discovery 3 TDV6 SE
I am the original owner and the vehicle has clocked approx 210,000 km
engine is in top condition (runs like new), is regularly serviced and had only just been serviced some 3 months before these problems arose.
I have 3 problems which occurred within weeks to months of each other ( on more that say 3 months and possibly less)
these are:

Oil Warning Light

Comes on usually after say 10 minutes but this can vary up to an hour
stays on for varying periods of one to two hours on trips (otherwise usually on for shorter commutes)
does turn off eventually but goes on again (only verifiable on longer trips for obvious reasons)
I checked oil level as directed by my mechanic and found it to be full (the car only having recently been serviced)


I had my mechanic (who is a recommended Landrover specialist and a Discovery 3 owner) look at this and try some solutions which yielded no result other than his assurance (which I specifically requested) that no damage would occur to the engine the the but I fear I may be going down a rabbit hole with this.

Front Passenger Seat Belt Alarm

This alarm triggers at varying times after initially starting the car say from 5 to 10 minutes and generally stays on even though the seat is unoccupied and has nothing on its surface
I click the set belt in to overcome the problem
I dont know whether its a faulty sensor or an electrical (i.e. wiring) problem


Low Wiper Fluid Warning on dash screen

This is less frequent and intermittent but nevertheless began occurring at the same period in the above issues arose
It can either temporarily appear or continuously appear by does not stay on for long.
I checked wiper fluid as directed by my mechanic and found it to be full (the car only having recently been serviced)


The car is some 16 years old and I suspect the problems may be related to the electrical system as they all occurred at roughly the same time although this could just be a coincidence.
I'm wondering if any other users out there have had a similar experience because there appears to be no ready solution other than trying (and having to pay for endless solutions

[DieselLSE]

Oil Warning Light
Did your Indie check the actual oil pressure? What were the results? If it's normal, then I'd look at the wiring diagrams to see whether there is a common earth linking this and your other electrical issues. Once you have confirmed correct earthing, then you could start looking at other more exotic issues.

My oil pressure light was coming on intermittently and I confirmed that, indeed, it did have poor pressure. The car was dropped off yesterday for a complete engine rebuild! But there's also a post on this forum recently where an intermittent oil warning light turned out to be a bared wire in the loom. Worth checking out particularly in your case as you have the other faults.

[PhilipA]

I have replaced 2 engines in my lifetime when the problem was a failed oil pressure sensor.
Seeing they are quite cheap, IMHO the first action should be to replace the sensor.
Regards PhilipA

[DieselLSE]

I have replaced 2 engines in my lifetime when the problem was a failed oil pressure sensor.
Seeing they are quite cheap, IMHO the first action should be to replace the sensor.
Regards PhilipA
Surely not. Checking the actual oil pressure is a five minute job for virtually any mechanic. Ten if you've forgotten where you put the extender! If the pressure readings are OK over the rev range, and the pressure sensor is still triggering, then you can assume the sensor is faulty.

[eddy]

Start with the easiest,renew the Screen washer bottle [your float lost floatability!]

[Globetrotter]

I would make sure the battery is okay (12.4 not running and 14.4 when running after start up) and then check the earth connection.

[PhilipA]

Surely not. Checking the actual oil pressure is a five minute job for virtually any mechanic.
So you pay $100 for a $50 possible fix.

Regards PhilipA

[DieselLSE]

So you pay $100 for a $50 possible fix.

Yep. And I'd be delighted as the alternative is a $15k to $30k engine replacement.

[Mark from Adelaide]

I have replaced 2 engines in my lifetime when the problem was a failed oil pressure sensor.
Seeing they are quite cheap, IMHO the first action should be to replace the sensor.
Regards PhilipA

I will check the receipt for works done to see what was actually done
(cant believe I didn't review this first.....possible senior moment(lol)
this may have been done.

[Mark from Adelaide]

Oil Warning Light
Did your Indie check the actual oil pressure? What were the results? If it's normal, then I'd look at the wiring diagrams to see whether there is a common earth linking this and your other electrical issues. Once you have confirmed correct earthing, then you could start looking at other more exotic issues.

My oil pressure light was coming on intermittently and I confirmed that, indeed, it did have poor pressure. The car was dropped off yesterday for a complete engine rebuild! But there's also a post on this forum recently where an intermittent oil warning light turned out to be a bared wire in the loom. Worth checking out particularly in your case as you have the other faults.

I really appreciate the interest and response on this.
I have looked after this vehicle since original purchase despite the cost of repairs and it still drives and looks like new.(photo attached
At this point, a catastrophic failure would be heartbreaking.
At some point i may be trading this vehicle and this problem above all needs to be overcome

I will check the receipt for works done to see what was actually done
(cant believe I didn't review this first.....possible senior moment(lol). This may have actually been done

However as the 3 incidents described occurred at virtually the same time and given the 16 year age of the vehicle, I am suspicious of wear of the wiring loom

[NavyDiver]

I have a 2008 plate Landrover Discovery 3 TDV6 SE
I am the original owner and the vehicle has clocked approx 210,000 km
engine is in top condition (runs like new), is regularly serviced and had only just been serviced some 3 months before these problems arose.
I have 3 problems which occurred within weeks to months of each other ( on more that say 3 months and possibly less)
these are:

Oil Warning Light

Comes on usually after say 10 minutes but this can vary up to an hour
stays on for varying periods of one to two hours on trips (otherwise usually on for shorter commutes)
does turn off eventually but goes on again (only verifiable on longer trips for obvious reasons)
I checked oil level as directed by my mechanic and found it to be full (the car only having recently been serviced)


I had my mechanic (who is a recommended Landrover specialist and a Discovery 3 owner) look at this and try some solutions which yielded no result other than his assurance (which I specifically requested) that no damage would occur to the engine the the but I fear I may be going down a rabbit hole with this.

Front Passenger Seat Belt Alarm

This alarm triggers at varying times after initially starting the car say from 5 to 10 minutes and generally stays on even though the seat is unoccupied and has nothing on its surface
I click the set belt in to overcome the problem
I dont know whether its a faulty sensor or an electrical (i.e. wiring) problem


Low Wiper Fluid Warning on dash screen

This is less frequent and intermittent but nevertheless began occurring at the same period in the above issues arose
It can either temporarily appear or continuously appear by does not stay on for long.
I checked wiper fluid as directed by my mechanic and found it to be full (the car only having recently been serviced)


The car is some 16 years old and I suspect the problems may be related to the electrical system as they all occurred at roughly the same time although this could just be a coincidence.
I'm wondering if any other users out there have had a similar experience because there appears to be no ready solution other than trying (and having to pay for endless solutions

Hi Mark, If all the other suggestions do not fix your issues, my 2005 D3's fix after years of trying intermittent issues may be of interests.

The many very helpful but frustrating failed attempts to find and fix my D3's issues were finally too much for a very helpful person who checked the resistance in the wiring loom wire by wire. One wire found with a variable resistance was replaced. That fixed several odd and inconsistent faults are BONGS.


Regards ND