Thread: over it

Originally Posted by Rabrover

Thankyou everyone for your help. Turns ot that the original info recieved on this site is correct (brake light switch) This had been replaced by the dealer but not installed correctly!!!! This was the cause of the front brakes activating themselves. By simply giving it a slight twist it made quite a loud sound like a spring being released . Disconnected the negative for twenty minutes Thus resetting the computer all problems solved. Contacted the dealer they where sorry but could only offer a discount on future work. To sum it up a $23.45c Part cost me just over $3500 given the purchase of another car $2000 towing labour ect our beloved landy has to go. Hopefully one day somebody on the central tablelands is able to service these vehicles. I spoke to landrover australia they could not believe that our closest dealer did not even want to look at the car and our second option two and a half hours away could not install the part correctly. We still have our 98 defender (no computer) so still happy days ahead. Thankyou all again

I'm glad that you got it sorted in the end. I'm still going with my problem. I get the HDC Transmission Fault error followed by the car lowering itself.
My local LR specialst has changed my brake light switch twice to no avail and then I bought a brand new battery that initially looked promising but now the error is back. Have replaced the brake light buls in the rear but that didn't fix it.
I'm in two minds whether to take the car to a dealer or keep taking it back to the specialist. Seems like they are just asking me to spend money until we find the fault. Why can't the diagnose the exact fault and then ask me to spend money.

I'm like you OVER IT

I remember thinking when the D3's first came out and the first few years reports on reliability where good and thinking Land Rover had finally nailed it and reliability is finally up there with the Jap brands. After reading many of these threads now days it honestly just makes my heart sink about the brand we all love some much.

Originally Posted by ak

I remember thinking when the D3's first came out and the first few years reports on reliability where good and thinking Land Rover had finally nailed it and reliability is finally up there with the Jap brands. After reading many of these threads now days it honestly just makes my heart sink about the brand we all love some much.

Hop onto a few of the Jap brand forums, or even VW - you might think more kindly of Land Rover when you see what the others do.

As a person looking at getting into a D3 , i have crawled the other forums . try reading the Prado one you wonder why they still buy them.
As for the Patrol they are all waiting for them to go bang!! (yup i own one a 4.8 though for the moment)
so still looking for low km D3 SE diesel ....

Originally Posted by Torb

I get the HDC Transmission Fault error followed by the car lowering itself.

The suspension lowering is a direct result of the brake system reporting a fault. I suspect there is a wheel speed sensor giving intermitant faults so check to see if the wiring harness behind the left front wheel has come away from its chassis clip and had insulation worn from the wires allowing them to touch together as this is a common occurrance.

Originally Posted by Graeme

The suspension lowering is a direct result of the brake system reporting a fault. I suspect there is a wheel speed sensor giving intermitant faults so check to see if the wiring harness behind the left front wheel has come away from its chassis clip and had insulation worn from the wires allowing them to touch together as this is a common occurrance.

Would this show up if the codes were read? I have a spare brake switch in my spare parts and just changed the tail/stop lights to LEDs - now i might check the wiring harness behind the front left wheel and provide some padding as a precautionary measure so I don't have this issue.

Garry

Originally Posted by ak

I remember thinking when the D3's first came out and the first few years reports on reliability where good and thinking Land Rover had finally nailed it and reliability is finally up there with the Jap brands. After reading many of these threads now days it honestly just makes my heart sink about the brand we all love some much.

My D3 costs me a fortune in services and repairs. However that is because I use it for what it is meant for and then some, meaning it breaks things or more to the point I break and wear things out on a regular basis.

These vehicles are great bits of gear that were way ahead of their rivals and in many cases still are years later and I for one are very happy with my old D3, especially given it is well over 8 years old.

Originally Posted by Graeme

The suspension lowering is a direct result of the brake system reporting a fault. I suspect there is a wheel speed sensor giving intermitant faults so check to see if the wiring harness behind the left front wheel has come away from its chassis clip and had insulation worn from the wires allowing them to touch together as this is a common occurrance.

Thanks for the suggestion Graham, will check it tomorrow morning and report back. Apart from this fault, and the control arm bushings, this car is fantastic. But this ongoing problem is taking it out of me for sure.