Diagnostic tool for Freelander 1

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karavidas

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Hello guys! I am a bit confused about things. I have problems finding a good mechanic for my Freelander 1, although I have changed a lot over the years, and problems tend to happen.
So, I am in search of a diagnostic tool.
By searching I find a ton of diagnostics, at different prices. With costs from a few euros to hundreds.
I have some that got my attention. One of them is this, which is supposed to be for LR. Another one is this. And at the same price, I find this.
Now, mostly I want to use it to diagnose, or even erase errors.
Let's say, now, I have 2 problems. The first one is complex -I HOPE that a tool would help me find possible errors- , but the other is that the SRS is on. I've checked most of the connections (at least those I found). they seem to be ok. but the SRS warning won't go off.
A search would be crusial. (to a repair shop, just the scan costs at least 200 euros).
thanks in advance.
 
Hi,

What is the first problem, sometimes fault reader won’t help you.

For SRS light supposing that it has suddenly appear, there is a broken wire, look under the seat. Beware it’s an airbag system, you need to know what you are doing.
Also you need to clear the code once you fixed the airbag wire …
 
Hello, and thanks for the quick reply!

First problem is that my car cuts power.
It tends to happen when it is "hotter", but no one can find the problem.
The temperature remains between normal values (I have a second FL1, exactly like the first one, to compare).
One more strange thing I can add is that even during winter, and when the car is cold (let's say, I start it now), I turn on the heater, and the ventilators start working. It shouldn't do this, as it is cold, and (again) when I compare it to the other FL, it seems to be a fault. In the other FL, ventilators start only on AC, not on heater.

As for the airbag, I have already checked wiring (and I disconnected and connected it back). Now, it should be a way to clear the code.
 
probably you have a product! I would be REALLY happy to check it, because, honestly, I do have a problem with my car and I need a test tool.
 
Hi,

1.8i ? Petrol engine ?
If it cuts when hot it can be the Crank sensor …

Do you have air conditioning ? Air conditioning will start the ventilator … nothing abnormal
 
Last edited:
1.8 petrol, yes.
where is the crank sensor, to verify if changed or not?

about the ventilators it is abnormal. my AC is switched off by the button.
air temp here now is around 10C. I start the (cold) car, turn on heater, and ventilators start immediately. it shouldn't.
I have started suspecting a controller it has, like this. I have to find a manual that gives more clues about the wiring. I mean, I know valve reads water temperature and replies to ECU. but this controller HAS to take part, as it uses the temperature value to start the ventilators, or stop them. WHAT IF, even my temperature is OK, and ventilators are in fact turned on, this unit sends a "false" response that ventilators are not working. or no response at all. when temperature hits a certain point, car should go off by itself. but if I don't have a proper wiring manual, or a proper test, this can only be a theory of mine.
 
karavidas said:
Hello guys! I am a bit confused about things. I have problems finding a good mechanic for my Freelander 1, although I have changed a lot over the years, and problems tend to happen.
So, I am in search of a diagnostic tool.
By searching I find a ton of diagnostics, at different prices. With costs from a few euros to hundreds.
I have some that got my attention. One of them is this, which is supposed to be for LR. Another one is this. And at the same price, I find this.
Now, mostly I want to use it to diagnose, or even erase errors.
Let's say, now, I have 2 problems. The first one is complex -I HOPE that a tool would help me find possible errors- , but the other is that the SRS is on. I've checked most of the connections (at least those I found). they seem to be ok. but the SRS warning won't go off.
A search would be crusial. (to a repair shop, just the scan costs at least 200 euros).
thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Speak to Philip @pscan.eu, as above.

PScan really is the best diagnostic tool you can get for an Freelander 1 (but not the most expensive!) It’s not a fancy-pants touch screen tablet, it’s a tool that can actually connect to everything in the F1 and read all the modules, as well as provide live data and coding.

Ask me how I know!

You’ll need a computer to use it (most of us use any old laptop).
 
karavidas said:
Hello, and thanks for the quick reply!

First problem is that my car cuts power.
It tends to happen when it is "hotter", but no one can find the problem.
The temperature remains between normal values (I have a second FL1, exactly like the first one, to compare).
One more strange thing I can add is that even during winter, and when the car is cold (let's say, I start it now), I turn on the heater, and the ventilators start working. It shouldn't do this, as it is cold, and (again) when I compare it to the other FL, it seems to be a fault. In the other FL, ventilators start only on AC, not on heater.

As for the airbag, I have already checked wiring (and I disconnected and connected it back). Now, it should be a way to clear the code.
Click to expand...

Hi,

If the ventilator is working, but not as as it should, it can be faulty, you have one ventilator controler, and 2 ventilators, they can only works in certain speeds but not the other, have a wire that is broken ...

You can test wires ( continuity ) from the controler to the ECU connector to the Ventilator controler,
but you should disconnect the car battery ( no direct +12V from the car battery ... )

I understand, if the car cut itself if the ventilator is running ? If it is related or not ...
Or when it happens at all ...
 
Freddie17 said:
A diagnostic reader is really the first tool needed, unless a problem is physically obvious!



…you need a diagnostic tool to do this 🙄
Click to expand...
True for diagnostic tool, but when you have no description of the issue...
The diagnostic tool gives a fault code, and a description of the code ( useless ), can help but don't tell you how to fix it ...
People use to unplug sensors for testing, you end up with so many codes ... for nothing ...
 
Alteredtech said:
True for diagnostic tool, but when you have no description of the issue...
The diagnostic tool gives a fault code, and a description of the code ( useless ), can help but don't tell you how to fix it ...
Click to expand...
The point of any diagnostic tool is that it reduces the problem down to something manageable.
For example with an airbag warning you could find the airbag ECU and trace every wire from the ECU to every airbag, looking for physical damage and checking for continuity, and you could check every connector and check the resistance of every airbag, and in theory, provided it's not an internal fault inside the ECU itself, you should find the problem.
A diagnostic tool will simply tell you which specific wire / airbag is the problem so that you only have to trace one.
 
Alteredtech said:
True for diagnostic tool, but when you have no description of the issue...
The diagnostic tool gives a fault code, and a description of the code ( useless ), can help but don't tell you how to fix it ...
People use to unplug sensors for testing, you end up with so many codes ... for nothing ...
Click to expand...
A proper diagnostic tool gives way more info than a fault code…
 
Freddie17 said:
A proper diagnostic tool gives way more info than a fault code…
Click to expand...
Live data is also very important.
Error codes tell you what the ECU thinks is the problem, but they are aren't always correct. Sometime the logic behind how an ECU decides on errors can be wrong. Live data gives you more clues.
You need to be prepared to use your own intelligence.
Another thing that is important, and for which pscan isn't perfect acrosss all ECUs yet, is actuators. This is a mode that you can put an ECU into and make it operate outputs (such as solenoids) so that you can see if there's a problem with an output to something.
On the Freelander 1 there is actuator support for the 27VT body controller, so you can do things like wind the rear window up/down, or lock/unlock the doors under computer control. It enables you to figure out if it's the input to the ECU that has the problem (for example the window up/down switch) or whether it's the ECU itself and/or output side (relays, blown motor etc).
Again these things just help you to narrow down the problem.
I'm a bit behind on engine ECU output actuation.
Modern CANbus cars are interesting because typically when an ECU dies you will see every other ECU complain that it can't contact the dead one (over CANbus). The one that doesn't have any error codes, because it's dead, is actually the problem.
 
Must admit, I like the seperate ECUs and minor interconnectivity on the FL1.

Makes fault finding easier and means a fault in one doesn't necessarily stop you using the vehicle.

There is an ECU in the fuel burning heater but not sure what data it would give or whether it is canbus or not. Am looking into it.
 
no the CANbus goes from the engine ECU, to Jatco transmission ECU (if fitted), to the ABS, from memory then to the SRS and terminating in the instrument cluster. It least that's how I remember it.
 
pscan.eu said:
no the CANbus goes from the engine ECU, to Jatco transmission ECU (if fitted), to the ABS, from memory then to the SRS and terminating in the instrument cluster. It least that's how I remember it.
Click to expand...
sorry that was wrong, it's Engine ECU, Jatco, ABS, cruise control, instrument cluster.
 
I have ICarsoft LR v1.0 for FL1 TD4. You have a website, and detailed features. For around 100 euros.

You have ABS, and airbag diagnostic features … and live data for fuel pumps …

Regards.
 
Alteredtech said:
I have ICarsoft LR v1.0 for FL1 TD4. You have a website, and detailed features. For around 100 euros.

You have ABS, and airbag diagnostic features … and live data for fuel pumps …

Regards.
Click to expand...
I bought the icarsoft, then sent it back after realising it does NOT connect with all the ECU’s in an F1.
I then bought a PScan - which does!

The OP asked for thoughts on the best diagnostic tool for an F1. In my opinion, and that of a lot others on here, it is a PScan, for the reasons we mention above.
 
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