The 3 Amigos - well maybe, or maybe not!

**discotwo** · 27th November 2011, 06:58 PM

Hi AULRO Forum members.

I bought a 2000 Discovery 2 a couple of months ago and when looking to buy one I was very mindful about the 3 Amigos and faults with the ABS, TC & HDC. When I bought it, I checked to see if any of the warning lights (i.e. the 3 Amigos) were constantly illuminated - and they were not, so I bought it and drove it home. Unfortunately, I never paid attention to see if these warning lights illuminated briefly and then went out.

I took the Disco out this weekend and decided to give the HDC a try for the first time. When I was in low range I pressed the HDC button and I got 3 warning chimes - the HDC light (green) didn't illuminate and nor did the HDC failure light (amber). I thought that I didn’t activate it correctly so I decided not to worry about it and I would read the manual again after I got home. After reading the manual, I now realise that when I switch my ignition on, the HDC information light (green) should light up for a couple of seconds and then go out, and so should the HDC failure light (amber), the TC light and the ABS light. The HDC information light illuminates for a couple of seconds but the ABS, TC and HDC failure light don’t illuminate at all. I removed the ABS fuse (no 28) and the HDC light (green) stayed on. When I pulled out the HDC fuse (no 27) all the dash warning lights didn't illuminate. The funny thing is that my ABS appears to be working – but then again it may only be working in a reduced capacity. As for the traction control, I went on some slippery tracks but can't say if the Traction Control worked or not. So I may have the 3 Amigos, but have no warning lights to tell me so.

Soon after I bought the Disco I took it into a Land Rover dealership to have it checked over and to get quotes for some minor repairs that it required for a RWC – brakes, oil leak etc. I also asked them to go over the whole car and let me know if there was anything else that might require fixing and to give me a quote. There was no mention of the ABS, TC or the HDC not working. I took it to a local RWC mechanic and got them to replace the pads, all 4 discs, the left rear hub assembly, as well as the rocker cover gaskets which were leaking - for significantly less than the Land Rover dealer quoted.

Is it possible that previous owner may have removed the 3 light bulbs behind the dash to hide the problem, or could there be an electrical fault somewhere in the system that may have only occurred recently? I find it hard to believe that the Road Worthy testing mechanic as well as the Landrover dealer missed the fact that the warning lights were not illuminating briefly and then going out. I then started to think that perhaps the local mechanic may have inadvertently done something to the ABS sensor when replacing the rear hub assembly, but I would think that if this occurred then the ABS warning light would illuminate to indicate a fault.

I am at a complete loss and this has really got me concerned, so I welcome your input.

Regards,

Peter

**XHPBT1** · 27th November 2011, 10:44 PM

When traction control is working the light on the dash will appear... Test the abs system buy slamming on the breaks at 60km/hr... Also when u turn on ur ignition does the abs tc lights appear on the dash? If not then the globes might be missing... If there are faults u will need to get the D2 to a LR mechanic or if you live in Brisbane I would be happy to read the computer for you...

Honestly the 3 amigos are really not a big deal... They are relatively easy to fix... Heaps of info on this forum and knowledgable dudes

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

**alpick** · 27th November 2011, 11:25 PM

The HDC green light flashes and the warning gong sounds when in hi range and you selectHDC.

Does yours do this?

**discotwo** · 28th November 2011, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by XHPBT1

When traction control is working the light on the dash will appear... Test the abs system buy slamming on the breaks at 60km/hr... Also when u turn on ur ignition does the abs tc lights appear on the dash? If not then the globes might be missing... If there are faults u will need to get the D2 to a LR mechanic or if you live in Brisbane I would be happy to read the computer for you...

Honestly the 3 amigos are really not a big deal... They are relatively easy to fix... Heaps of info on this forum and knowledgable dudes

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

Hi XHPBT1.

Thank you for your offer to read the computer, I really appreciate it, but I live in Melbourne. Perhaps I might be able to find someone in Melbourne that could read the computer.

To answer your question, when I turn the ignition on, the TC, ABS & HDC do not light up at all. When driving on gravel and I brake hard, I get the peddle shudder so I it appears that the ABS is working (although it may only be in a reduced capacity) - I haven't tried it on bitumen at speed. I will find a safe area to try this.

If the light globes were removed, I don't know how it passed a Road Worthy test or how the Land Rover dealer didn't notice it when I took it in there and asked them to check the whole car over just after I purchased it.

Cheers,

Peter

**discotwo** · 28th November 2011, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by alpick

The HDC green light flashes and the warning gong sounds when in hi range and you selectHDC.

Does yours do this?

Hi alpick.

Thanks for your post. The HDC green light doesn't flash when in high range - I just get the 3 warning chimes. When in low range and I press the HDC switch I get the same 3 warning chimes and no HDC green light and definately no HDC amber failure light.

**Gillie** · 28th November 2011, 08:43 AM

The lights should light up on ignition. Sounds like they may of been removed.

When we sold ours I repaired the 3 amigoes (Wheel sensor fault costing about $90 for the part).

ABS will work but not properly as will TC but again not properly and I suspect Down hill decent will be the same.

If the computer doesn't know what the wheels are doing it cannot work properly and you will find it is only half handy off road......... as I did.

**Andrew D** · 28th November 2011, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by discotwo

or how the Land Rover dealer didn't notice it when I took it in there and asked them to check the whole car over just after I purchased it.

Ash tray on a motorbike comes to mind as well as fly screens on a submarine.

This forum will give you a better repsonse for nil cost.

Regards
Andrew

**discotwo** · 28th November 2011, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew D

Ash tray on a motorbike comes to mind as well as fly screens on a submarine.

This forum will give you a better repsonse for nil cost.

Regards
Andrew

Hi Andrew. I really does make you wonder why the dealers have all the hi-tech equipment and yet don't use it properly. Or more to the point, they probably get their 17 year apprentices to look over the cars.

Peter

**XHPBT1** · 28th November 2011, 08:14 PM

I feel ur pain, you probably have to take the instrument panel off... But before u do that it would pay to check all the fuses in the engine bay and under the steering wheel could be something simple...

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

**discotwo** · 28th November 2011, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by XHPBT1

I feel ur pain, you probably have to take the instrument panel off... But before u do that it would pay to check all the fuses in the engine bay and under the steering wheel could be something simple...

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

Hi XHPBT1.

I checked the fuses under the dash and they were all OK, but didn't think about the ones under the bonnet. I will check these and then I guess I will have to get the codes checked - hopefully there is someone in Melbourne that might be able to lend a helping hand with the right equipment. Then there will be task of pulling out the instrument panel. Do you know if this is a difficult job and is there be anything that I should be aware of? I don't want to do something or pull on a wire only to have the airbags go off.

Regards,

Peter

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