Who's seen this before...

[rmp]

...and what was the fix. Also the "reduced transmission options" message.

http://www.gpsvehiclenavigation.com/rmisc/img/d3error.jpg

[legrundy]

It happened to me off road (09 D3 with 4000km on the clock). Just climbed steep track in low range and was going down gentle slope on other side. Probably should have gone back to high range but there was one more steep hill to go. As usual single vehicle exploration trip, nearly sunset, two kids in the car and starting to rain with 10km of low range to get back to the bitumen.

The fix: turned the car off and then restarted. No problem after that.

Awaiting to here dealer verdict at service this week

[Tote]

I saw it when my canbus failed with multiple failed modules and a pierced wire on the passenger side firewall.:(

Regards,
Tote

[Ashes]

funny you should post that...I had a similar thing happen when starting the car at the Winery...not alcohol enduced..

Had most of the warning lights come on and that message. Turned the car on and off which cleared most of the warnings except the transmission warning light. This cleared itself after I turned the car back on after a wash at Werribee.

I've had this fault occur a few times now and it clears. Dealer has also replaced crankcase sensor and powertrain control module but it still happens. Not sure why...

[TDV6]

I had this with a flat battery, I am told it happens when the voltage drop's below 11.5 volts.

Ryall

[rmp]

Given it happened to 3 out of 6 Discovery 3s yesterday could have something to do with the conditions -- low range, several steep climbs.

I shall investigate.

[Leo]

Guessing that gearbox got too hot? Also, when did the D3s in question last have their transmission fluid changed?

edit: just seen that the pic shows 37000km, so fluid change shouldn't be a factor.

edit2: I remember that faulty rear e-diff software can cause this and there was a TSB for this some time back. It can also be caused by blown brake bulbs or incompatible electronic braking systems for trailers.

[rmp]

Fluid change shouldn't be a factor if the vehicle was correctly serviced and all three have been. No trailers attached. Not all of the three have the rear e-diff.

[gghaggis]

Faulty EPB module can give this error, but odd that three cars would all develop this symptom at the same time. I doubt it would be overheating, unless you saw the "transmission overheated" message just prior?

Have you checked the rear multi-pin connectors above the rear passenger wheel?

Cheers,

Gordon

[gghaggis]

Just remembered - I got this (and a few other reported faults) due to a faulty wheel sensor (rear driver's side) a few years ago. If the speedo stops working as well, it will also be worth checking the front speed sensors.

Cheers,

Gordon

[Jamo]

I've also had it in the past when (in my case) canola stubble lodged in the height sensor and caused an erroneous reading

[rob4play]

Yes also had it after a ending up with a big wheel alignment issue between Innamincka and Birdsville. Would firstly come up with sytem faul,t special programs off then lower to low access. Turn off restart and would be okay for about 2kms then repeat. Fixed the low access problem by restarting then manually raise to high or leave at drive height and pull the compresser fuse once the self levellng had alsp compensated for the load and trailor.
Wheel alignment fixed the problem but I seem to remember the dealer also mentioning that the steering angle sensor can go out of calibration and to recalibrate just needs a lock to lock a couple of times providing you have not got a mechanical wheel alignment problem as I did. Just wondering that this could happen in heavier stuff when the steering might be off centre for a considerable period of time. I would think it is possible the feedback it monitors is more time related than distance. Have to say I was forced to run without special programs for many Kms had no problem with Big Red etc and enjoyed high suspension mode at any speed as it could not lower with the fuse out just the annoying tones which you tune out after a while.

[Roger]

If it happened to 3 out of 6 D3's then there must be a consistant theme in something. Did you all have reduced tyre pressures?

[rmp]

Yes, tyres were down; I recommended 20 for 17s, 22 for 18s, 25 for 19s and just pray for 20s ;-)

[rmp]

Well it turned out to be a faulty brake light sensor, speedily fixed.

[Ashes]

I'm beginning to think the dash full of lights and transmission fault light that stays on for a little while (a couple of hours) is actually a more general warning that a sensor somewhere is not behaving or sent back data that didn't make sense. I also don't believe when the fault codes are read that it really identifies the errant sensor. I would not be surprised if you get the problem again. The biggest worry is if there is actually something seriously wrong that you ignore it thinking it is a "usual" problem.

[rmp]

I agree, the car does cry wolf. If it didn't have all this monitoring you'd probably never realise half the faults it reports existed until the next service, if then, or when something actually broke down the track.

[Hooroo]

I agree, the car does cry wolf. If it didn't have all this monitoring you'd probably never realise half the faults it reports existed until the next service, if then, or when something actually broke down the track.

My D3's have had their fare share of e-blips too.

Call me cynical, but our 'loves' were built in the UK where they don't have the greatest reputation for reliable electronics (still good fun but!).

[Brick]

Had the same error message flash up a little while along with the often reported parking brake issue. Went in for 72,000km service a couple of weeks ago and was told all was good.

Started getting the HDC fault message again this week.:o:o Contacted dealer and was told battery may be problem. Checked with multimeter and battery is at 12.8v when switched off, and was charging at 13.8v when idling.

Now getting the following messages:
- HDC fault
- suspension fault
- parking brake fault
- special program switched off

About 4 yellow warning lights remain on once started including ABS light. Parking brake releases okay and is drivable, however cannot raise from access height even when driving.

I run a reversing camera and a Prodigy trailer brake controller hooked up as per instructions on the forum. Both still seem to be working okay.

Any ideas welcome.

Meant to be travelling to the country on Christmas Day. Don't really want to drive 300kms on lowered suspension. Anyone want to lay down some money as to whether the dealer will be able to look at it beforehand?

Cheers

[snowbound]

My memory may be playing tricks, but I honestly can't recall ever having this problem with my old series 2A! All this electronic wizardry is fantastic, until it goes bung. Supose you go bush now and get a battery problem, how good would a starting handle be! Have we gone too sophisticated?:mellow:

[Brick]

Snowbound,

While all the messages have come up, it is still drivable. Doesn't even drop into limp mode with restricted throttle. Just a bit harsh suspension wise.

Anyway, if the battery fails the wife and kiddies can always get out and push. Just not sure if they can get it up to speed to be able to bump start an auto....he he he. Hope she isn't looking over my shoulder.:D:D:D:eek:

[Tote]

My memory may be playing tricks, but I honestly can't recall ever having this problem with my old series 2A! All this electronic wizardry is fantastic, until it goes bung. Supose you go bush now and get a battery problem, how good would a starting handle be! Have we gone too sophisticated?:mellow:

No, series Landies snap axles instead and become just as immobile once you have run out of spare axles...........
I reckon the risks of becoming stranded due to vehicle failure are about the same. Relying on one vehicle on an expedition is just as risky be it a D3 or a series one.

Regards,
Tote

[rob4play]

Does it start at normal height then drop after the errors come up? If so before it drops, turn off and pull the 20 amp fuse for the compressor in the under bonnet fuse box. The system will tell it to drop due to the error messages but will not be able to. It will maintain height no problem unless you have an air leak of course.
Hope you get it fixed before the planned XMAS trip.
Agree totally with Tote as have had series II seiies III Disco 1, disco2A and now the D3. On a recent Birdsville trip via Innaminka and Walkers Crossing etc we had 3 TDV6s, blown coolant hose, puncture, mine knocked wheel alignment right out causing it to drop and turn off special programs after 2 kms but all fixable with spares, mine using the remove the fuse fix went fine like that for the rest of the trip and gave us nothing but confidence given normal good trip planning, practical spares and of course in convoy and some prctical vehical/mechanical/electrical knowledge
Cheers
Rob

[Nomad9]

Hi Forumites,
Happend to me after an under bonnet wash found the tranny case module had water sitting in the multi pin connectors. Can also happen apprently when the multi pin plugs get corrosion happening in and around the pins. I replaced the tranny case module and sealed all the sides with silicon leaving approx 25 mm on the bottom seam to allow the unit to "breathe". I put electrical silicon grease around all the multi pin connectors as weel, plus I'm going to be a lot more carefull when washing under the bonnet.

[djhampson]

Started getting the HDC fault message again this week.:o:o Contacted dealer and was told battery may be problem. Checked with multimeter and battery is at 12.8v when switched off, and was charging at 13.8v when idling.

Now getting the following messages:
- HDC fault
- suspension fault
- parking brake fault
- special program switched off

About 4 yellow warning lights remain on once started including ABS light. Parking brake releases okay and is drivable, however cannot raise from access height even when driving.



I got similar problems when my steering wheel alignment got out of whack.

When I was steering straight ahead the wheel was a few degrees to the right and I think this upset the steering wheel angle sensor.

LR did a realignment and it hasn't happened again.

When the errors occurred I would slow down, shift into neutral, switch the engine off and back on again and then shift back into drive. The car would then rise back up to normal height and I could continue on.

Obviously you need to pick a sensible place to do this (on a highway might not be a good one :o)

[rmp]

Wheel alignment is very important.

All stability control systems have steering wheel sensors. If the steering wheel is not straight yet the car is travelling straight that will confuse the hell out of the system and it will throw a hissy fit before shutting down. Hence wheel alignment is important for all cars with stability control such as the D3/D4.

Switching DSC off will help, but the 'off' switch is not actually off in Land Rovers (unlike in some high-performance sports cars), it's just de-sensitised.

[Brick]

Thanks for all of the tips on how to overcome. Had already tried a hard reset to no avail. Rob4play, was stuck in access mode, could not get back to normal height.

We were able to get it into the delaer today and they were able to check it out. Apparently the pressure switch on the compressor has failed. also causes all these other erros to show, although for the life of me not sure why. Seems odd that the wiring for something like a pressure switch would also be linked to these other sensors, etc.

Anyway, waiting on replacement part to arrive. hope to be back on the road by Wed. Glad I didn't offer any monies on the dealer. Am surprised they could fit in with the usual Christmas rush.

Have a good Christmas and New Year everyone. Rubber side down please.

[Brick]

Just thought I would post an update.

Got the vehicle back from the dealer a couple of days ago. Was a combination of a couple of problems. Pressure sensor (not switch as posted earlier) failed, as well as an ABS sensor.

However the biggest problem was that the loom that runs down the left hand side frame rail (you can see in left front wheel well) had come out of the bracket (cheap plastic that is not strong enough) and with wider than standard tyres had worn through both the conduit and the sheath of a few of the wires. Only came into contact with the tyre when on full lock and only because had come away from the bracket an was able to swing around.

Dealer repaired under warranty and all good now. Just need to keep an eye on the loom in this location to ensure does not come away from the bracket again. The dealer actually put some zip ties on to ensure more secure.

Cheers,

[rmp]

What size tyres are you running?

[Brick]

RMP,

I am running the Cooper LTZ 285/60/18. Does not normally rub anywhere, even when on access level and full lock.

Cheers,

[Garry]

I had the same problem when kicking its backside in on my second time on the sand on Straddie

I stopped and let it cool down as it was reving hard on the soft sand

No probs since

G