freelander 2002 1.8 petrol advise please

hi all i have a 2002 1.8 petrol freelander and im after some advise please.
iv had a local mechanic look at a few problems i have
1- traction control and hill descent control waning light is on
2- when cornering at low speed brakes binding. ( i think its the vcu)
the mechanic has told me that the transfer box or rear diff is nipping up.
and that the camshaft end, passenger side has a oil leak.
are these big jobs/expensive jobs?
thanks

HDC on it's own can be as simple as the accelerator cable is too tight at the throttle body end. Happened to me, loosen it a turn or two and your sorted. Your problem could be ABS sensors.
Do the one wheel up test, (Google it)
As for the rest how much did he quote you?

Do 10 minutes searching and you will find the answers to all these questions!

Re #2 get that VCU checked out - the one wheel up test is a guide. Very important are the tyres all the same size, brand, and pattern and are thy inflated to the same pressure?
If the VCU is dodgy take the prop shafts off [ including that VCU]. This will save your IRD [transfer box] and diff.

Cam oil seals are quite easy to fix!

+1 on what's said.

1. Does the ABS light come on as well then go off? Usually all 3 light up - but only the ABS one is a MOT failure - so that's the one that gets hoiked out of the dash (that's assuming you just got the car). There's a multitude of reasons for these lights to come on. If its genuinely only the TC/HDC the Rave manual has a table of possible faults depending on which of the 3 lights are lit. Often the easiest way to solve the problem though is just to plug a code reader into the car and it will tell you whats wrong!

2. Go to another mechanic - he has no idea what he's talking about - eg Freelander doesn't have a transfer box and its unlikely to be the rear diff. As said check all tyres are same make/model/size and pumped to the same pressure - sounds stupid - but it is VITALLY important on Freelander - believe me - its cost me lots of $$$ not appreciating and following through with that advice. The probability is though that its your VCU - it sits in between the 2 props going to the rear axle and offers slip between the 2 at cornering axle speed differences, but little slip when front wheels spin. Problem is with age they move more to offering little slip at cornering speeds - this winds the transmission up (ie braking effect) and trashes your IRD (front diff) and/or rear diff.

Sample reading from current threads....

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/rear-diff-problem-279811.html

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/might-very-silly-question-but-279441.html

The ird is effectively a fixed ratio transfer box. It doesn't sit towards the middle of the transmission like traditional rusty 4x4's but it's still splitting drive to front and rear.

lidge said:

hi all i have a 2002 1.8 petrol freelander and im after some advise please.
iv had a local mechanic look at a few problems i have
1- traction control and hill descent control waning light is on
2- when cornering at low speed brakes binding. ( i think its the vcu)
the mechanic has told me that the transfer box or rear diff is nipping up.
and that the camshaft end, passenger side has a oil leak.
are these big jobs/expensive jobs?
thanks

Click to expand...

Try here first, forum courtesy -

Introduce Yourself - Land Rover Zone

Thanks for all the advice. All tyres are the the same make/pressure. I bought the freelander a week last Sunday so it's still under warranty (iv already had the head gasket/water pump ect. Replaced).

I think the amber TC light is now an MOT failure as well the ABS.

"cornering feels like binding brakes" may be actual brakes binding, or VCU
TC light coming on is often brake switch faulty.
Camshaft oil seal is nothing on parts but a 3 hour job to get to it - a lot has to come off. Its worth getting the cambelt changed at the same time.

slimboy said:

I think the amber TC light is now an MOT failure as well the ABS.

Click to expand...

Its getting ridiculous, they'll be failing cars with a scratched in the paint work soon. Still I suppose it gives a steady stream of parts cars

I don't think TC is a failure here in NZ, although a missing prop is. When I took our Starlet in for its last WOF (MOT) they guy was about to fail it cos the 'high' brake light was out - he showed me it by putting his foot on the brake and only the 2 outside ones came on. "Give it a whack" he suggested - so I did and hey presto it came on. OK he says, that's a pass - get it sorted There is still some humanity in the testing process!