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Disco 3 intermittent fault


Daz1986
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So my cars all seem to be going tits up!! I use a disco 3 fairly often and over the last few days it’s started to throw up very intermittent suspension faults! All the suspension settings go off and she lowers herself! Turn her off and on and she is right as rain! Anyone get any ideas? I suspect the hight sensor but could be wrong 

Edited by Daz1986
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If you plug it in to diagnostics it will give you a code, trouble is the codes  are fairly generic and even sensors that it would suggest can be the symptom of another problem rather than the sensor itself.....I owned an Alfa Romeo and can attest to this!! look at what else the system is connected to, you can get a clue by checking the fuse box to see what else is fused on the same circuit.

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As in any new car too much in the way of sensors and electrics , you’re best bet go to an independent garage , 4x4 specialist is a bonus , and get them to plug the laptop in and do a diagnostic on it , should pinpoint problem , when you ask @bout electrical issues you normally get five replies all with different things they changed , good luck 

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I'm unfamiliar with a Disco 3. My last was a face-lift 2.

My guess would be the compressor and I can't remember if they used the one from the range rover or designed new. 

There's a guy on ebay, YouTube and his own website "bagpipingandy" if it is the compressor he does the best repair kit for it. Made from machined PTFE and all new seals its about £25. 

Like I said above Disco 3 I'm unfamiliar with, but one hack is, run the engine in neutral gear, turn steering from lock to lock each way, doesn't matter which way first, do it a couple of times static and it resets the computer.

If that doesn't work, its not a computer error and you're back to height sensor, compressor or air bags. 

If your not far from Sheffield I have a rebuilt compressor I made using a kit, your welcome to try it to see if its the compressor before buying anything. I'm almost certain it's the same compressor as Range Rover. I can let you have a picture to help if you need.

Beyond that you'll have to have it diagnosed on a computer I'm afraid. All out of ideas now.

I much preferred series Landies, old Rangies and the Disco 1. Disco 2 and beyond was a step too far for me.

 

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You need to get the fault codes read with a GAP IID scan tool or similar, if you are anywhere near Newcastle Under Lyme Staffs, I'll gladly do it for you for free. Ordinary OBD & generic scanners cannot read the suspension diagnostic fault codes on a D3. The GAP tool is worth it's weight in gold if you have a D3.

 

Mat

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It still sounds to me like a lazy compressor. If it was a sensor it would be down on a specific corner every time.

A lazy compressor shows as working, ie: no faults, when it's running but when engine off, fails to maintain the pressure such as overnight and all four corners drop. Of course it could also be a tiny pin hole air leak, but thats a whole new can of wormies....

Edited by Centrepin
Swear filter taking out non swear words so re wrote
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16 hours ago, Daz1986 said:

So today fault codes where done!! Nothing but EGR fault came up.. she has been blanked off so clearly not deleted! That was the only code 

Depending on what code reader you are using it may not read the suspension fault codes... only a specific diagnostic tool such as GAP or Hawkeye or LR dealer specific can read them.  Also for the EGR delete, depends what year your Disco 3 is... 2004/2005 do not need a modification to the CCF (config file) to turn off the fault, but as you have seen, they still report an EGR fault when scanned, 2006 onwards need the CCF modifying using the GAP tool or similar.

If it's lowering itself to access height on its own, and then resetting to normal height when you cycle the ignition then you should definitely see some fault codes reported. It's not a leak, that would lower one corner or the front or back.

A good test would be to get it into normal height mode, and then measue the distance from the center of the wheel hub to the bottom of the wheel arch on each corner, it should be 465mm front and 485mm rear. Then remove fuse F26, this prevents the self levelling functions from working, it stops any of the valve blocks opening. It should hold at the correct height. You can drive it like this but you may get the suspension fault light coming on.

If your ride heights are off, then you will need a GAP tool coded to your car to re-calibrate it, or find someone with the pro version that can work registration free.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, if you have the suspension fault light showing, there will be associated fault codes, you just need the right scan tool.

If you have some spare time, vist https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/   and you will find plenty of advice on fixing D3 suspension problems.

Mat

 

 

 

Edited by matgriff
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On 02/01/2021 at 11:38, matgriff said:

Depending on what code reader you are using it may not read the suspension fault codes... only a specific diagnostic tool such as GAP or Hawkeye or LR dealer specific can read them.  Also for the EGR delete, depends what year your Disco 3 is... 2004/2005 do not need a modification to the CCF (config file) to turn off the fault, but as you have seen, they still report an EGR fault when scanned, 2006 onwards need the CCF modifying using the GAP tool or similar.

If it's lowering itself to access height on its own, and then resetting to normal height when you cycle the ignition then you should definitely see some fault codes reported. It's not a leak, that would lower one corner or the front or back.

A good test would be to get it into normal height mode, and then measue the distance from the center of the wheel hub to the bottom of the wheel arch on each corner, it should be 465mm front and 485mm rear. Then remove fuse F26, this prevents the self levelling functions from working, it stops any of the valve blocks opening. It should hold at the correct height. You can drive it like this but you may get the suspension fault light coming on.

If your ride heights are off, then you will need a GAP tool coded to your car to re-calibrate it, or find someone with the pro version that can work registration free.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, if you have the suspension fault light showing, there will be associated fault codes, you just need the right scan tool.

If you have some spare time, vist https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/   and you will find plenty of advice on fixing D3 suspension problems.

Mat

 

 

 

Mat many thanks for this.. will get her booked in I think and see if they can set it.. it’s not to much of an issue it’s more annoying on the odd trip where you have to stop and start !! 

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It sounds like a worn compressor to me, If it is like my Jag then when you first start up it has a timed period when it has to reach its correct ride hight. If this fails then you ge an error light. Switch off and back on again and the light goes out because it is already close to the correct high and it gets there in the correct time.  An overhaul kit as mentioned above will fix it.

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13 hours ago, Lord O War said:

It sounds like a worn compressor to me, If it is like my Jag then when you first start up it has a timed period when it has to reach its correct ride hight. If this fails then you ge an error light. Switch off and back on again and the light goes out because it is already close to the correct high and it gets there in the correct time.  An overhaul kit as mentioned above will fix it.

I do believe the jag/range rover/disco compressors are all basically the same just fitted in a different mount or housing. Very easy and cheap fix.

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3 hours ago, Gordon R said:

The kit to fix them is about £25, but the normal charge is £150 upwards. It has to be all of a ten minute job. You also need a decent code reader to clear the fault.

 

3 hours ago, Hector Vector said:

Have you tried looking at https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/index.php ?

There's loads of first hand knowledge and experience available and no Green Oval haters!

I agree its an easy job and to reset the brain instead of a thingy me bob you can static steer side to side full lock to full lock several times. For some unknown reason this clears most fault codes and does a reset.

I joined disco3 forum some years ago for information and found it very useful but decided against buying in the end as I wanted live axles. I haven't been on in over maybe 10 years.

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On 04/01/2021 at 13:12, Centrepin said:

I agree its an easy job and to reset the brain instead of a thingy me bob you can static steer side to side full lock to full lock several times. For some unknown reason this clears most fault codes and does a reset

Not meaning to cause any offense here, but this is not correct information for a Discovery 3

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