Disco 3 (LR3) A few questions

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Jay8135

Member
Posts
95
Location
Cumbria
My son just got a discovery 3 se automatic and has asked if I could find out a few things for him.

1. When he selects reverse the rear fog light comes on on the dash. What would be causing this?

2. Is it normal when the vehicle is parked and engine running it sounds like the compressor kicks in and auto levels the vehicle.

Thanks for any info. He has bought the vehicle for camping trips. He also asked how expensive bike racks are for the car. 2/3 bikes.

Thanks
 
Fog light could be something to do with trailer wiring, there are all sorts you can do with a code reader.
Engine running and doors shut the air suspension will look after itself ie elf level, doors open the air susp should not move regardless engine on or not, the car will even try and self level when locked and engine off.
 
Thank you. He was concerned as it just had a new compressor fitted. I've just read regarding the light it could be moisture in the trailer housing. I will get him to check it. He also said the driver side mirror doesn't fold in the mirror adjusts but doesn't fold like the passenger side. He is bringing it tomorrow so I will see. Probably a motor or something? I also read it could be something to do with the memory seat or simply seized up.
 
Jay8135 said:
Thank you. He was concerned as it just had a new compressor fitted. I've just read regarding the light it could be moisture in the trailer housing. I will get him to check it. He also said the driver side mirror doesn't fold in the mirror adjusts but doesn't fold like the passenger side. He is bringing it tomorrow so I will see. Probably a motor or something? I also read it could be something to do with the memory seat or simply seized up.
Click to expand...

Mirror could be all sorts, like you say seized, the alloy rots real bad internally, or simply a non power fold mirror been fitted as they are cheaper, worth moving them the full stroke by hand and see if they will relatch back in.
Iirc you can adjust mirror functions on the dash, auto dip etc, using left stalk I think, lazy entry function is one that causes various mirror issues, it is all in the handbook which is a real rivetting read!

Ref trailer I think when trailer is plugged in the car disables the cars rear fogs so as not to reflect light off the trailer and obscure your vision, think trailer looms plug in behind left rear light, two screws and a decent tug to remove light, trailer fuses are behind left side rear cubby panel.

Common d3 issue is blown rear rear brake bulbs (mine eats them) and some people have had all sorts of weird issues fixed just by changing the brake bulbs, I always keep some in the car just in case.

The memory seats are not very good tbh, mine never sets and holds the current position.
 
Looks like the driver side mirror had been replaced with a cheaper option. Not a big deal.
Regarding the rear fog light on the dash coming on when selecting reverse I was wondering if you know which fuse disables the tow light as I think it's moisture within the tow housing as it happened after a heavy downpour. Thanks
 
Jay8135 said:
Not a big deal.
Click to expand...
It would be for me.
It's absolutely possible that the memories aren't working, because the incorrect mirror has been fitted.

You'll need to do a full systems diagnostic read to find out what the error codes are. Ownership of a suitable LR dedicated code reader, goes hand in hand with D3 ownership. They are electrically seriously complicated, and everything is on data buses, which means a code reader is as essential as engine oil.;)
Jay8135 said:
Regarding the rear fog light on the dash coming on when selecting reverse I was wondering if you know which fuse disables the tow light as I think it's moisture within the tow housing as it happened after a heavy downpour.
Click to expand...
What tow electrics does it have 7 or 13 pin? I'm guessing it's the 13 pin socket, as 7 pin tow electrics doesn't even have a connection to the reverse light circuit.
In the plug, the reverse supply pin is the RH pin in the central group of 4, the fog light is the LH pin, in that central group of 4. I expect there's some form of short between those two pins.
 
Thanks for the info. I'm not car savvy in the slightest. We found 2 dead fuses in the left side bin which we have replaced. The issue I think is the brake making the fog light come on. Not heard from my lad of the fuses have solved the issue. He said he checked all the bulbs etc and the earth points seem ok.

Regarding the mirror the passenger side is fine you can here the motor when it closes. The driver side makes no noise at all but does allow for adjustments via the toggle and also the auto drop down when in reverse works fine which is confusing.
 
Jay8135 said:
Thanks for the info. I'm not car savvy in the slightest.
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A D3 will be a baptism of fire then. Its probably one of the most complicated cars on the road.
Jay8135 said:
We found 2 dead fuses in the left side bin which we have replaced. The issue I think is the brake making the fog light come on. Not heard from my lad of the fuses have solved the issue. He said he checked all the bulbs etc and the earth points seem ok.
Click to expand...
What happens to the fog lights at the back of the car, when revers/brakes are on?
Jay8135 said:
Regarding the mirror the passenger side is fine you can here the motor when it closes. The driver side makes no noise at all but does allow for adjustments via the toggle and also the auto drop down when in reverse works fine which is confusing.
Click to expand...
The mirrors are connected via control modules on a data bus, so definitely needs a code read to find what is going on.
 
My lad rang me yesterday and said the light issue hasn't come back so all good.

However......

He was picking up his daughter last night and whilst sat parked with engine running noticed the compressor running alot and then ding an error stating normal height only. A new compressor was fitted 2 weeks ago.

With the compressor running alot would this point to a height sensor issue? Or could it be battery as he noticed when starting the car the battery icon flashes for a split second.

He's driven it today dropping kids off at school no warning light or message. He thinks the issue lies with a leak or height sensor as when it tries to auto level when parked it takes a while to sort itself out.

Waiting to get it into the garage....
 
Jay8135 said:
My lad rang me yesterday and said the light issue hasn't come back so all good.

However......

He was picking up his daughter last night and whilst sat parked with engine running noticed the compressor running alot and then ding an error stating normal height only. A new compressor was fitted 2 weeks ago.

With the compressor running alot would this point to a height sensor issue? Or could it be battery as he noticed when starting the car the battery icon flashes for a split second.

He's driven it today dropping kids off at school no warning light or message. He thinks the issue lies with a leak or height sensor as when it tries to auto level when parked it takes a while to sort itself out.

Waiting to get it into the garage....
Click to expand...

Suspension issues need a proper diagnostic read, not just of fault codes, but main gallery pressure, compressor temperature, ride height sensor feedback, valve activationz and as many other bits of information the EAS module is using.

Ownership of a D3, really requires the ownership of a decent diagnostic device, or it'll very quickly cost loads in diagnostics, let alone the repairs.
The EAS system is pretty simple to maintain, but unfortunately nobody ever does, so problems crop up that shouldn't, resulting in burnt out compressors, leaking pipes and constant warnings on the dash.
 
I would say an air leak somewhere, the compressor sees air is low so builds it up again and again and again, then it gtes upset as its goes out of its parameters and throws a code.
Hand sprayer and some soapy water and get squirting, air tank will be favourite, then every fitting and pipe you can find, especially anything which was disturbed when new comp fitted.
 
My lad bought it with a warranty period. He spoke to the place he bought it from and they said they will cover the costs. They are surprised as they had a new compressor fitted and updated by a main dealer.
At least it will be sorted for him.
 
Jay8135 said:
My lad bought it with a warranty period. He spoke to the place he bought it from and they said they will cover the costs. They are surprised as they had a new compressor fitted and updated by a main dealer.
At least it will be sorted for him.
Click to expand...

It might be they fitted a cheap compressor, and maybe that is the issue?
Good they are paying for it, sets a precedence.

Do not be surprised if you get a massive list of need to do jobs, some will need doing, and others will be nonsense.
Old vehilces in main dealers do not always fare well as they are seen as a rubbish job, I know I used to work in one!
 
Before he bought it the old compressor was returning a fault of being slow or something hence why a new one was fitted. He's ran it since the normal height issue and nothing has come back. As stated earlier in the thread he was parked waiting for his daughter to come out of a dance class with the engine running. The compressor was trying to level the car and ran for a good while then he got the error. Hopefully it's a leak or a sensor. The dealer is even providing a courtesy car whilst the diagnostic is done and work carried out.

Just glad it will be sorted for him.
 
Hi, I own a very tidy & well looked after D3, that has had some serious £££ spent on it in the last 6 years prior to my ownership. I had a D2 for 5 years prior to that.

I would echo what's been said here... a D3 can be a very troublesome expensive car if you need to take it to a dealer. I have a GAP iid diagnostic tool, expensive, but a godsend if you know how to use it.. it's probably saved me upwards of £1000 in the past year.
All the best for the new car, but you should at least scout out a reputable independent LR specialist in your area.... they do not take kindly to back street bodgery. Plenty of help on the Disco3 owners forum.
 
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