Thread: Disco 4 Engine System Failure Warning - beware!

I have an early 2010 D4 3.0 TDV6 SE and on a trip to Byron Bay from Brissie this weekend, towing a 6x4 trailer with the weekend's camping equipment, at 115km/h on cruise, I noticed the engine power drop and the Engine System Failure warning was displayed. I pulled over, turned the engine off and on again, and whilst the red warning triangle remained, the engine performed as normal for the remaining 20 kms to Byron. Everything was fine until the return trip, when in almost the same place (long incline) the engine lost power again. This time restarting the engine made no difference, so we just limped home to Brisbane unable to do more than 100Km/h, which would drop to 80Km/h up hills. We have around 57,000 kms on the clock and have had no engine issues until now. We did a trip to the snow last year towing the same trailer without a hitch so it seems strange that this issue would surface after 2.5 years of ownership. Having lived through 4 years of D3 ownership, I suspect there's a malfunctioning sensor somewhere that is triggering the "limp home" mode. It's going in to Austral tomorrow so will post the results once I get the car back.
BTW, I love the D4, and am convinced its the best all-round proper 4WD on the market. Friends with X5's, Landcruisers and Mercs have all had service issues that they try and keep quiet about. Try and get a petrol Landcruiser driver to admit their real fuel consumption around town, most will deny they even have a trip computer. So this little hiccup won't change my opinion of the Disco, but I wont be able to say it hasn't given me any trouble any more.

Hi,

I have a D4 SE. Got my first and hopefully last Engine System Failure Warning on Thursday afternoon. Admittedly it was something to do with the fact that I'd just shunted the front end into the sand a few times in a row, after failing to see in the fading daylight, some big, multiple holes on a sand track.

No physical damage to the car but a few Ks later the red triangle appeared and then the yellow ECU light. Restricted performance sux and it is horrible to drive with. I was seriously concerned that I wasn't going to get out of the forest as the sand is very soft and deep.

Turns out, the impact loosened the Throttle Body and the car was sucking unmetered air. Easy fix.

It was the worst drive though....getting to 100kph on the road took about a year...LOL!!! I'd hate to have been towing something.

Cheers,

Kev.

Originally Posted by Celtoid

It was the worst drive though....getting to 100kph on the road took about a year...LOL!!! I'd hate to have been towing something.

Travelling around 60 kph is quite acceptable but as soon as you try to go much faster it becomes very trying. Fuel is limited way too severely when there's a need to travel any distance or in traffic. Not limited to LRs though - I passed an X5 with hazards flashing doing only about 80 kph on the freeway recently.

Please don't shoot me down , but DFP?

Picking my 2012 HSE hopefully mid Nov, assuming that mine will not have it..

Thanks

Jaybee,

I think you meant DPF-Diesel Particulate Filter.
No you won't have one.
Cheers

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

Jpi,
had a similar problem with my tdv6. was towing a 3 tonne full size caravan at the time. the dealer said they didnt know what the problem was but had reset it and it shouldn't happen again. I took it to Australs (from central western NSW) and had the electric brakes, amongst other things rewired. no problem since, touch wood, and we have been on 2 long hilly trips towing since.
do you have any accessories fitted?
Cheers
Will
ps. Australs were great

Well just to raise this again, I got the red triangle this weekend on my 2010 3.0 D4. Similar circumstances as outlined, towing on the Hume for around 90min and cruise cut out going up a hill. Limped into Mittagong and did a hard reset and some other stuff but the Engine System Failure warning remains. Disconnected the brake controler just to be sure and made it to Wondilly River Station without incident, coming home no problems till around Picton about 90min of driving again and I am struggling to make 80km/hr up a slight rise with the camper trailer on.

Parked the car up while I unpacked and then took it for a drive after around an hour and it was back to full power or very close to it. Have it booked into Graeme Cooper tomorrow for a once over. I can only hope that the PCM upgrade has not been done and it will be a simple fix. I will update with the findings.

Regards
Paul

Not being critical,you shouldnt use cruise whilst towing a heavy load in hilly country.You are putting alot of extra stress on the vehicle,it cant "see" the hill coming,so when the strain of the terrain comes on the ecu whips the engine harder to maintain the target speed.Sure use the cruise in flat country,when hills are around drive it.
Andrew