Thread: Engine System Fault (Critical) caused by known software issue

I had this issue with my D4 also, but only when using my wife's spare key fob - turned out to be a low transmitter battery, battery replaced ($18) and haven't seen the error since!

My current 'error of the month' which occurs approx once a month is a 'Low coolant warning' which is there one minute and then gone for another month

Originally Posted by Barryp

Hi Scarry,
The 'smart key not found' issue is covered in the handbook. I believe it happens if you try to start it with the smartkey out of range of the receiver.
Read the handbook and it tells you to hold the smart key in the recess under the steering column and press start. I had it happen to mine but remembered reading about the fix in the handbook. I think that it is part of the theft prevention arrangements. (Just think if you leave the door open in a servo and somebody could jump in and drive off if it wasn't programmed this way.)
Regards
Barryp

Originally Posted by ozranga

MY2010 Disco 4 SDV6 SE with 50k on the clock.

Driving in 43 degree heat up to Barmera from McLaren Vale through Monarto, Sedan etc. Had my 79 YO mother in the car too. Anyway, the engine suddenly lost a lot of power and the message "Engine System Fault" appeared on the dash with the red warning indicator. I rang LR Assist and she said the car was in limp mode and I should go to the nearest LR Service centre which was behind me. She did say I would probably be fine to complete the drive to Barmera and return after Christmas as the warning light was amber... and luckily when I corrected her to say the light was red the phone reception dropped out. I say luckily because I got to Barmera with no problems albeit without a lot of engine power. It was ok on the flat where I could go at 110 but any slight incline and the car began to slow. Thank goodness I was not towing a van/boat or even worse be in the middle of a national park in sand!

Anyway, on reaching Barmera I rang LR assist to make sure it was ok to drive back to Adelaide in a few days and the girl said she would send a flatbed truck up and bring the car back, and also give me a hire car for 5 days. All wonderful service!

But here is the rub... when I spoke to the service guy and he said the problem was fixed and was just a firmware update to fix a known software issue I thought what a complete waste of money and time, not to mention just plain dangerous. Why has there not been some kind of recall to fix this? If anyone is going away for their holidays and especially towing something I would contact LR to find out more about this bug, why/when it occurs etc. Also, one would hope as cars come in for regular servicing that these firmware updates are being made.... but who would know? I really would have expected something in the mail.

Hi Ozranga,
I had the same issue, and its related to towing up a hill with the cruise control on. Basically there is a bug in the Engine Management that causes it to think there is an issue and trip into limp home mode. There is a simple software update for this and it will be applied to all 3.0 TdV6 engines when they come in for their next service. I do agree that a general recall would be a better idea, but it seems that software bugs are so common in cars these days they don't treat them seriously.

Well my D4 3.0 is currently at a tow yard & I'm here too in the caravan it was towing till tomorrow when the car goes to a dealer in Newcastle. Same sounding issues, I was towing, there are/were hills & I was using cruise, when Red Triangle comes on & car goes into limp mode - would not reset at all ... Just had 50k service done where they knew I was going to be towing this week ... has had previous services done too where they also knew I was towing a caravan

Outasight, what sort of engine revs were generally occuring prior to the fault? Also, can you ask what fault codes are involved? I'd like to know if there's any similarity with the faults mine gets from time to time that don't clear without a tool and even then can be hard to clear.

Are you aware that all LR Service Action Bulletins and Technical Bulletins are available on TOPIx - TOPIx ? You need to subscribe to get access to the content. You can buy 1 hour and 1 day subscriptions to the diagnostics section only and these are pretty reasonably priced. You can also browse the various sections to see what bulletins exist without a subscription.

cheers
Paul

Sorry Graeme, didn't see this until just now - I'm on the road!

I didn't get the codes, but the tech said it was complaining about something to do with the injectors, but either due to the info I gave them about the fault, or their own info, they applied a PCM update which should fix the issue.

Sounds too similar to everyone else's experience with this issue. Couldn't tell you exact revs except to say they would have been quite low as the cruise refuses to kick the transmission down to try & maintain speed on an uphill. I went from 110kph to around 80kmh more than once

Paul(Offtrack), I appreciate it's all good info IF someone out there wants to do this, but it's only as up to date as the last time you looked/subscribed & really, is it OUR job to know these things when there is an obvious issue that will, I say the word again, obviously affect a large number of this vehicle, given it's common use(towing).

It's dissapointing that a premium brand will cost itself dollars & let it's customers suffer all the inconvenience etc. when it just isn't neccessary! Proactively apply the software fix as a "Service Campaign" - my car was serviced just 2 weeks ago.

Regards,

Les.

Originally Posted by JPI

Hi Ozranga,
I had the same issue, and its related to towing up a hill with the cruise control on. Basically there is a bug in the Engine Management that causes it to think there is an issue and trip into limp home mode. There is a simple software update for this and it will be applied to all 3.0 TdV6 engines when they come in for their next service. I do agree that a general recall would be a better idea, but it seems that software bugs are so common in cars these days they don't treat them seriously.

The only bit that hasn't happened yet is the automatic application - unless it was just MISSED by my local dealer at the last service 2 weeks ago

All the rest matched what happened to me too ...

Les.

Originally Posted by outasight

Sorry Graeme, didn't see this until just now - I'm on the road!

I didn't get the codes, but the tech said it was complaining about something to do with the injectors, but either due to the info I gave them about the fault, or their own info, they applied a PCM update which should fix the issue.

Thanks but obviously not the same problem that my vehicle experiences as mine relate to MAF, MAP and turbo inconsistancies.

I've been told that all updates are downloaded by default when the vehicle is connected to LR diagnostics so I suspect your vehicle wasn't connected during your last service or updates were declined for some reason.