Freelander 1 transmission (and '3 Amigos') query

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Grey Beard

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This is a really dumb beginners query - but hey, you have to start somewhere!
I'm trying to sort the ABS, TC and decent control warning lights (the 3 Amigos) that have just appeared. I've changed the break light switch (as frequently recommended) but no luck. My Freelander being 2004, doesn't have the visible reluctor rings, so not easily able to check these. However I decided to take off a front wheel and have a good look. This gives rise to my query:
With one front wheel raised and not in gear, I would have expected to be able to spin it round, all be it with some resistance from the differential. However it only moves back and forward about 20 degrees before stopping solid. Am I wrong, or is this suggesting a seized VCU? (First time I've ever tried this on a 4x4 so may be suffering from a deep misunderstanding.)
 
Perfectly normal. You'd need both wheels up to be able to spin them. That's because the VCU which takes drive to the back wheels is stopping it from spinning. You're fighting against the internal resistance of the VCU and the rear diff.

As for the "three amigos", there are a variety of causes and it would be best to get a code read done with a proper code reader, not a cheap Chinese box. This should point you in the right direction.
 
Grey Beard said:
This is a really dumb beginners query - but hey, you have to start somewhere!
I'm trying to sort the ABS, TC and decent control warning lights (the 3 Amigos) that have just appeared. I've changed the break light switch (as frequently recommended) but no luck. My Freelander being 2004, doesn't have the visible reluctor rings, so not easily able to check these. However I decided to take off a front wheel and have a good look. This gives rise to my query:
With one front wheel raised and not in gear, I would have expected to be able to spin it round, all be it with some resistance from the differential. However it only moves back and forward about 20 degrees before stopping solid. Am I wrong, or is this suggesting a seized VCU? (First time I've ever tried this on a 4x4 so may be suffering from a deep misunderstanding.)
Click to expand...
You're just taking up slack in the front and rear diffs, which then cannot move further as the rear wheels are still on the ground. A normal VCU won't allow much movement by hand.

Try checking the resistance of the ABS sensors at each connector.
 
That sounds normal to me - and happily isnot a prelude to impending VCU related doom! :)

3-amigos can come on for a whole host of reasons. Most commonly it's an ABS wheel speed sensor fault. Figuring out which one is the challenge, and much easier if you have the right diagnostic equipment.

Basically wot everyone else said ^^^^ ;)
 
Thanks for the replies; I posted in haste and subsequently found out about the VCU test which I've just done; 40 seconds from 45 degrees to horizontal, which seems in the ballpark. (Freelander is 2004 with 130,000 on the clock and has hardly done any off-roading.)
Looks like a visit to a garage with appropriate code reader is in order for the 3 Amigos... :-(
 
have same problem mine in shop getting new front offside drive shaft "complete" and abs sensor will post result when I get it back
god knows what its going to cost but ha ho
 
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