Thread: Disco 2 Traction control and Coil Pack relocation questions

Cant help with coil pack relocation.

There is a lot of confusion and garbage written about vehicles with TC.

With the D2,select the CDL when needed,and leave TC as it is,its a very good system,with no issues,even in soft sand.

And thats after having D2's for many years,two with out CDL,and one with.

And a D4 with TC,and driven my sons Puma,with TC, extensively as well.In fact the TC failed on the Puma on Fraser island,problem with a wheel sensor.The vehicle had no where near the capability without the TC.

Originally Posted by tec31

hi guys, I have a few questions for the disco 2 experts
first question.... I have a 2003 disco 2 S V8 auto, I need to know if and when the traction control turns off or whether I need to install a switch myself. I have been doing some research online and get some different answers, some say that if I put the center diff lock on and then turn the ignition off and back on, the traction control is turned off. Some say that I need to install a switch, and some say it needs to be an on/off switch and some say it needs to be a momentary switch and some say that I need to change my T/C computer to an older model also.

In relation to the ETC...

If you have a D2 upgrade:
The ETC always stays on whether the CDL is locked or not, but if you want it to work like a pre upgrade D2 then you will have to switch to an earlier pre-upgrade SLABS computer.
Some may suggest pulling or switching the ETC fuse, I haven't tried this so cant veryify if it works or not.


If you have a pre upgrade D2 then:
The SLABS computer will turn off the ETC if it detects the CDL to be locked during start up.
The switch is there to break the wire between the CDL and SLABS computer that detects if the CDL is locked.
That same wire also is responsible for illuminating the CDL locked light on the dash.
If you fit a momentary off switch, you can hold it down during start up with the CDL locked and retain ETC.
If you want ETC disabled just start up with CDL locked and don't press the button and the SLABS computer will detect this and switch the ETC off.
If you want to use an on/off switch it will pretty much do the same thing as the momentary switch in relation to the ETC, except you would need to switch it off for start up and then switch it back on again for the CDL locked dash light to come on.

This said, I would also echo Pauls comments above. I've had the ETC switch for 15+ years now and there is nowhere that I turn the ETC off, not even soft sand. Actually the ETC helps in sand.

That is a lot of very helpful information and much appreciated. How can I tell if my disco is a D2 upgrade ? I have owed 4wds before but none with traction control, the reason I need this option is because I live in Perth WA and we have some amazingly soft sand and big dunes /hills, this is when i would turn of the T/C as momentum is key and T/C actually slows down momentum by applying the brakes.having said all that, I haven't had the chance to try it all out it yet, so who knows'thanks

Originally Posted by tec31

we have some amazingly soft sand and big dunes /hills, this is when i would turn of the T/C as momentum is key and T/C actually slows down momentum by applying the brakes.having said all that, I haven't had the chance to try it all out it yet, so who knows'thanks

That is incorrect - TC only brakes the wheel with no traction and only then momentarily - so if that wheel has no traction anyway it cannot slow down your momentum even if the brake is momentarily applied - in fact is the opposite, as this action transfers drive to the wheel with traction so aiding momentum.

Single headlight early, dual headlight late
no factory CDL early, factory CDL late
Rear blinkers in the rear bar early, Rear blinker with brake lights late.

The ETC slowing you down is typical of tyre pressures being too high in the sand.

I also live in the West and do a Lot of beach driving.
I find the D2a with the CDL engaged coupled with TC is Bloody amazing in the sand without having to go tearing down the beach flat chat (momentum)
Personally I find that tyre pressures, tyre choice and being able to "read" the beach will get you further than simply relying on "Momentum"

If you have the 2003 as you've stated then just engage the centre diff lock , you might have been with someone with a jap ute etc who is confusing traction control with electronic stability control and might not be aware of the difference as they will have to turn it off in theirs. ( also D3/ D4 RRS etc )
Take the advice above and also be aware if it gets extreme and uphill ( say calcup or Bornholm ) you can drop to 10 psi without peeling a tyre as long as you have the factory rims.
I go fishing at Bornholm as it's close by and just cruise up with open diffs ,( sometimes stopping to help , but sometimes cause I just want them out of my way so I can go home )

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Single headlight early, dual headlight late
no factory CDL early, factory CDL late
Rear blinker with brake lights early, Rear blinkers in the rear bar late.

The ETC slowing you down is typical of tyre pressures being too high in the sand.

No quite correct - I have an ‘early’ 1999 build D2 - the rear blinkers are in the rear bar.