Freelander 2 stuck in HDC mode

Hello there!

I'm new here and have tried searching for this topic without success. Apologies if I've not looked in the right place!

This morning after starting the car up (quite damp conditions, temp 4ºC outside) - the dash came up with a Terrain System fault and the amber DSC warning lamp was on, together with the green HDC light. Took the car for a test drive to assess what was happening.

It's an auto gearbox - not aware of moving any dials, and certainly couldn't change anything using the dials or switches - could only use the 'manual' gear selector to upshift but HDC is definitely engaged....

Also - when going down hill felt 'twanging' under foot on the brake pedal. Sorry for the non technical terms!

I guess this will require a visit to a technician but I thought I could try to see what people say about it in these circles!

Many thanks
Sara

Having a low or failing battery can cause all sorts of strange faults with the Vehicle Dynamics ECU, which controls the TR system. It's normally communication faults with other ECU that flag up some strange errors.

Have you tried to restart the engine to once warm, so see if all is normal again?

If it's ok after a warm engine restart, then the battery is the likely cause.

Thank you very much for this - I will give her a start up and see what happens.

It started up perfectly as if nothing had happened.....!!
A new battery could well be a prudent move now the weather is changing.

Thanks again for your speedy response, much appreciated.

btw, should I assume that the 'twanging' through the brake pedal was the ABS trying to intervene as part of the HDC?

yes, that's the abs activated to control speed because hdc was active
switch off hdc and put terrain response in normal drive mode and it will stop

Lovely, thank you!

Nodge68 said:

Having a low or failing battery can cause all sorts of strange faults with the Vehicle Dynamics ECU, which controls the TR system. It's normally communication faults with other ECU that flag up some strange errors.

Have you tried to restart the engine to once warm, so see if all is normal again?

If it's ok after a warm engine restart, then the battery is the likely cause.

Click to expand...

If this cures the fault then you have just saved our OP a ton of money and pain as I'd bet most garages would miss this and start throwing expensive parts at it.
Have a gold start sir.

Restarting after running it to charge the battery is a common trick on a lot of modern cars. Lot's of electronics wanting power during the starting phase and loosing out if the volts drop too low.

It could also be the Freelander is feeling unhappy. A good wash and wax normally sorts that out.