Disco 3 HDC fault...help!

[Lotusevoraboy]

Hi all,

Tearing my hair out at this. In short, the Dash is lit up like a Xmas tree with pretty much every warning light coming on upon start up and the info display saying HDC fault special programs unavailable and then park brake fault. The vehicle has also put itself in crawl mode, with it dropping the suspension and restricting speed and revs massively. It has done this a couple of times in the past, but it has been solved by turning the engine off, locking the doors and waiting a few minutes. However, now it won't even do that. The problem started this time when I changed a blown head lamp bulb, but I don't know if that's coincidental. I fiddled with it and checked the connections afterwards and the warning lights did clear, but came on again and returned to crawl mode after about 8 miles when I touched the brakes

Many disco forums suggest all this means the battery needs replacing, but the RAC came out this AM to fit one and said there was nothing wrong with it. He also tested the alternator and no problem there.

Any advice? Anyone had similar problems? Anyone recommend a good independent garage with Landy knowledge in and around S Yorkshire or N Lincolnshire? Trying to avoid main stealer.

[camel_landy]

Much as you might hate the Main Dealer, they do serve a purpose...

You may well find it much cheaper and less agro if you get it over to them as they'll be able to plug in the test kit and tell you exactly what's causing the problems.

M

[sjc]

Lotusevoraboy said:

Hi all,

Tearing my hair out at this. In short, the Dash is lit up like a Xmas tree with pretty much every warning light coming on upon start up and the info display saying HDC fault special programs unavailable and then park brake fault. The vehicle has also put itself in crawl mode, with it dropping the suspension and restricting speed and revs massively. It has done this a couple of times in the past, but it has been solved by turning the engine off, locking the doors and waiting a few minutes. However, now it won't even do that. The problem started this time when I changed a blown head lamp bulb, but I don't know if that's coincidental. I fiddled with it and checked the connections afterwards and the warning lights did clear, but came on again and returned to crawl mode after about 8 miles when I touched the brakes

Many disco forums suggest all this means the battery needs replacing, but the RAC came out this AM to fit one and said there was nothing wrong with it. He also tested the alternator and no problem there.

Any advice? Anyone had similar problems? Anyone recommend a good independent garage with Landy knowledge in and around S Yorkshire or N Lincolnshire? Trying to avoid main stealer.

Just had similar, traced to alternator packed up.
Look on www.disco3co.uk for "10forcash", very helpful guy.

[fredd1e]

or duff battery, lots of unrelated warnings are usually related to low voltage from battery (which could be down to failed /failing alternator as already posted) or over voltage ( again from a failing alternator/regulator)

[Dr_Rick]

Had a similar Xmas tree of lights recently that turned out to be the brake switch causing problems. The wife instigated a number of errors that included the ones you mentioned. But I couldn't recreate. Evidently we drive differently.

Tiny switch buried under the dash somewhere and it caused a world of pain.

Dr Rick

[A.J.M]

Possible battery, alternator issue, brake switch or even the bulb.

Did you get a genuine bulb or an aftermarket?
I got warned off cheap bulbs as they have been known to cause issues with electrics.

[sjc]

Well is it any wonder that people want to avoid main dealers? As posted above earlier, car went in for the alternator today. I said to my wife, they will come back with other stuff and,as it's owned by a women it will all be safety related stuff......wait 3 hours and......Bingo! " rear brake pads 90% worn" Three weeks ago it was serviced by someone I trust implicitly with rear pads shown as 50% worn.This is the third time they've tried to pull a stunt like this, at two different branches when it's been in.If anyone else had an alternator in stock I would have "Lookered" the other way. Absolute of the highest order.

Edited by sjc on Thursday 20th December 21:04

[Triple7]

Faulty sensor no doubt. Get it on the laptop.

[Lotusevoraboy]

Thanks for the advice guys. As stated the RAC reckoned the battery was OK, same with the alternator...do I trust him or get a new battery anyway?

Where is this brake sensor and or brake switch that two of you speak of?

[A.J.M]

Do you have a indy near you that can read the codes as that will tell you exactly what's up.

Better than throwing new parts at it in hope it cures it.

[Triple7]

Lotusevoraboy said:

Thanks for the advice guys. As stated the RAC reckoned the battery was OK, same with the alternator...do I trust him or get a new battery anyway?

Where is this brake sensor and or brake switch that two of you speak of?

It's normally on the brake sensor or one of the individual ABS wheel sensors

[Dr_Rick]

Lotusevoraboy said:

Thanks for the advice guys. As stated the RAC reckoned the battery was OK, same with the alternator...do I trust him or get a new battery anyway?

Where is this brake sensor and or brake switch that two of you speak of?

Look at the uper end of the brake pedal under the dash area


Dr Rick

[nps123]

My fathers discovery did the same last week, still under warranty so the guys in the mobile discovery workshop came out, it was a brake sensor, its a known fault, all ok now.

[Lotusevoraboy]

Is the brake pedal sensor a cheap easy fix?

[camel_landy]

Lotusevoraboy said:

Is the brake pedal sensor a cheap easy fix?

You need to identify what the actual problem is first, rather than guess work and systematically replacing every part in the system...

If you don't know what you're doing, get it to a dealer. You need to get it hooked up to the diagnostics software and that will tell you exactly what is causing the problems.

M

[mattdaniels]

Are you rear brake lights working ok? Blown bulb can cause this fun and games.

[Lotusevoraboy]

Yeah, brake bulbs are all OK.

Also replaced the brake light switch under the steering column behind the brake pedal, but still no joy. Battery and alternator ha also been checked, as well as every fuse!

Any other ideas before diagnostics tomorrow?

[Lotusevoraboy]

Just done a hard reset....guess what...it worked!

[mattdaniels]

Has it still worked?

[Lotusevoraboy]

Still works fine...replacement of park brake switch and then hard reset has done the trick...done 250 miles...then traded it in.