Thread: Disco 4 Engine System Failure Warning - beware!

...and therefore should not assume that it's safe to limit engine power to about 5%.

Originally Posted by Graeme

...and therefore should not assume that it's safe to limit engine power to about 5%.

so just like other computer systems used in vehicles (as I'm sure you know) its only a fancy dumb switch... in out, input output, on off when certain parameters are met. I'm sure there might be some vehicles out there that when the engine is under load it doesnt go into limp or power restricted mode, but a relatively massed produced Land Rover isnt one of them.

Regards
Daz

Dropped into graham coopers yesterday (great service given the skeleton holiday staff) and they hooked it up to the computer. There was a range of errors recorded from oxygen sensors to injector errors but, given the car was driving normally, and given a full test drive, they cleared the faults and said to monitor it going forward. They suggested the faults could have been logged due to a new battery replacement 3 months ago without correct programming/logging of the new battery to the car causing over charging.

I'll see how it all goes.

Often when you do get a whole list of what seems unrelated fault code, its often a battery/charge issue or a poor earth.

One big thing I see a huge amount of, is when "u-buet battery supplier" puts in a new battery, both the positive and negative are very loose partly due to their poor design and lack of care when fitting a new battery.

Regards
Daz

I can't remember quite why I started reading this thread other than for its knowledge base and general info as we collectively work the parameters of these wonderful vehicles. Bought my '12 TD4SE bit over a year ago with just 26K on the clock.

Best vehicle I've ever owned. SWMBO and i do lots bush camping (no towing toys and we are 75yo +), it's well kitted out, fridges, running water etc.

Thanks to Phil, Tim, Graeme and others for the information within, we are all learning, and that learning I'm sure is extended to LRA. In my following comments I'm not excusing, apologising nor defending LRA. LR have done a wonderful job in endeavouring to build the perfect 4x4, they are almost there but not quite, and to me the end is so simple and so close.

My area of thinking is the absolute importance of the customer, to do whatever it takes to keep them (the customer) onside. Ten years hard work can be lost in 10 seconds of arrogance.

I'll back up a little with a simple example of good. My previous 4x4 was a 3lt TD Nissan Patrol, one of the models they nicknamed "the hand grenade" because motors were blowing up (meltdown between pots 3 & 4). Here's the gig, not all of them were melting, most weren't, but it gave them a terrible reputation. (Mine was OK, as I took steps like fitting EGT gauges etc as SWMBO and I did not want to be caught short in the middle of the Gibson Desert, alone. But I digress). I had fitted heavy tyres, including the spare hanging on the back door, which induced a stress fracture in the door frame. Out of warranty, they replaced the door, I had not expected that, WOW factor fanfare!

For all those poor bug...'s who had a Niss engine melt down, even out of warranty, they replaced the engine. No admittance of liability nor explanation, they just did it. WOW WOW. I personally believe that a lot of the problem was with the drivers and how to drive a diesel engine ie. not reeving the guts out like a normally aspirated petrol engine.

But my point is the satisfaction factor. I'm telling a "good storey", not negative about Nissan. BTW it was a good "truck", just getting too many k's.

There are many many more LR TD3/4 etc on the road than Nissans. LR cannot have been expected to design a vehicle that took into account every drivers habits, every contraption being towed, every hole in the road or hill, or suspension load, speed etc in every weather condition imaginable, and any combination of these. But they have done pretty good so far.

But what LR, and lets be specific and say LRA because of the uniqueness of Australian territory, should absolutely do, is to work with LR4x4 owners and absorb the seriousness of unique problems. To learn from them, to address without admitting any fault or liability, and fix their problem. Our problem.

LR owners do not want to be inhibited by the vehicles "possible" shortcomings. For at the moment I am, having read this thread. I was going to tow my 2T boat to beautiful Lake St Clair from Sydney, it's a 400 km round trip and hilly???? This sad negative story unfortunately gets accelerated around the world by those too many negative thinkers who walk amongst us.

In general, mechanically we don't have problems, yes there is the odd bits here and there. But this computer issue is a real thorn in the side. Yet it can be resolved so easily. The developers wrote a program with all (almost) the bells and whistles to drive this superb vehicle . . . . just fix this intimidating dangerous limp towing fault code issue . Simple computer skills. Do a recall / fix it advice or upgrade at service. Simple.

Apple send me upgrades and fix security gremlins seems like every other week . . . . . freeeee. Love it. They fix problems I don't even know I have.

It would be wonderful to know that LRA gets to read these threads. I would if it were my business, listen to your consumers. Just a simple "we read them, thanks" acknowledgement would mean such a lot. Then maybe I'll just copy and paste this to the LRA executives to see the cut of their cloth.

We, the consumer, do have strong legal powers collectively.
The divide and conquer approach of big business is powered by arrogance. Think VW.
This is not a threat but a reminder to act, or will LR wait until a family is killed . . . that will be the day when LRA will face the judgement of their maker and the consumers.

Communication . . . . the most powerful word. Even more powerful than a TD4SE.

John

Originally Posted by Salt grinder

. . . just fix this intimidating dangerous limp towing fault code issue .

The fault in earlier 3.0s was fixed but the update may not have been applied to Jon's vehicle. Updating the ecm/pcm takes time so dealers can be reluctant to apply updates unless a particular problem being experienced is known to be overcome with an update. The IIDTool, BT version at least, can scan any vehicle to reveal which ecus are running obsoleted s/w.

Originally Posted by Graeme

so dealers can be reluctant to apply updates unless a particular problem being experienced is known

Partially agree Graeme. But do I have to be stuck on a hill somewhere with a 6.0mt boat on the back waiting for a tow, to indicate to LRA that I have an issue. It seems to me that the facts are in and simply, a communication to indicate that the issue is being / has been resolved, is so simple.

Through my local dealership LRA has access to my email.

An afterthought . . . the D4 is due for a service. I'll ask that they give me the all clear to tow the boat to the said destination. What I want to hear is "No problem mate". I'll attempt to get it in writing . . . . hmmmmm!