Intermittent reverse light / HDC light

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Big Dogg

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Hi folks. Just bought myself an '03 Td4 Freelander, but have this niggling problem and after searching around, can't find any similar problems to mine (obviously I've found the HDC/TC/ABS problem).

Sometimes after starting the engine, after a few seconds (not straight away), the HDC orange light will come on and the HDC won't work. I've tried the HDC and it does work when the orange fault light isn't on.

I've also noticed that my reverse light will come on by itself and stay on, regardless of being in reverse gear or not. I've seen both the HDC and reverse light faults happening at the same time, but there's also been times when the reverse light problem has happened by itself. Usually after a few engine re-starts and/or engaging/disengaging reverse, the reverse lights will turn off and work as normal.

On one occassion, the TC light was on with the HDC light.

Anyone got any ideas?
Also, I haven't paid for the Freelander yet (it's a friend's and I'll be officially buying it when I get my own car sold), so if it sounds like an expensive fix, maybe I should steer clear of the car?

I'm a competent DIY mechanic/auto electrician, so when I have time I can try a few of your suggestions, if any.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, when I googled "Freelander reverse light" I found someone else had posted the same problem with their Freelander on Yahoo Answers, so hopefully this is a common fault with an easy fix...
 
hi

I would say that the two are not connected which may be throwing a bit of a red herring try replacing the brake light switch and check the reversing light switch on the gearbox

Hope you get it sorted

Gordon
 
My first guess was the reverse light sensor. If it is this, could this possibly cause the HDC error light to come on, since the HDC is supposed to work in reverse?

Also, where is the reverse light switch located, so I can have a look when I have some free time.

Oh, and the brake light seems to be working fine....
 
I've no idea where that is buddy. Are there any other sites online that may have a picture of what I should be looking for and where to look?

Thanks for the help :)
 
I had a look under the gearstick gaiter the other day and the only wires/connection I can see is the HDC connector. I disconnected it, then reconnected it and all seems fine :S I'll have a look under the car tomorrow, but as I said before, I've no idea what the reverse light switch looks like lol.
 
Hi Big Dogg,
You don't say if you have a manual or auto? (or did I miss it?)
The manuals both have switches on the outside of the box - shown in Rave.
The auto does not have a switch but a relay operated by the ECU.
I will try to send you a PM with some info from rave.
TD John
 
Sorry buddy. Thought I had mentioned it was a manual :doh: I appreciate the help folks. Where should I be looking on the RAVE program to find info about the reverse switch? Would it be in the gearbox section? I used the search function for the word reverse and it only threw up one result.
 
Hi Big Dogg,
The PM I sent has screenshots of the three pages from the Rave that cover the different Reversing Light configurations. :monitor_punch:
The panel at the left of the screenshots are the actual Rave menus showing the directory tree down to the actual page I captured.
If your Rave is working properly when you open up and select the Freelander path you can follow the tree shown down to arrive at the page I sent.
Once there you can move up or down a page at a time to explore the area for the correct version of the manual box you have. :dizzy:

Never had much luck with the Rave seach myself either - always dive in and look around for what I want - does get easier after you have used it a bit as you get to know how the menu tree is structured. :)

Electricals are best - seem to have two complete sets and have to go a long way up and down the menu to check between them.
Still better (more complete) than diagrams in Pains manwel tho'.
Keep lookin'. :doh:
Really must find out how to make the pdf's smaller so I can post here direct.
TD john
 
hi it is your reverse switch at faul.this causes your reverse lights an your hill decent lights to stay on.also if u have ur wipers on the rear wiper will also be on due to the reverse switch sticking.i had all the problems an sorted out with the new switch£10 of ebay.to fit you have to remove the engine under tray .when removed if you look to your right you will see the switch at the front of gear box .disconect the wires an unscrew the switch.be carefull u may get a bit of gear box oil spilage.just replace with new switch put under tray back on an thats it job done 30 mins .
 
Big Dogg said:
Hi folks. Just bought myself an '03 Td4 Freelander, but have this niggling problem and after searching around, can't find any similar problems to mine (obviously I've found the HDC/TC/ABS problem).

Sometimes after starting the engine, after a few seconds (not straight away), the HDC orange light will come on and the HDC won't work. I've tried the HDC and it does work when the orange fault light isn't on.

I've also noticed that my reverse light will come on by itself and stay on, regardless of being in reverse gear or not. I've seen both the HDC and reverse light faults happening at the same time, but there's also been times when the reverse light problem has happened by itself. Usually after a few engine re-starts and/or engaging/disengaging reverse, the reverse lights will turn off and work as normal.

On one occassion, the TC light was on with the HDC light.

Anyone got any ideas?
Also, I haven't paid for the Freelander yet (it's a friend's and I'll be officially buying it when I get my own car sold), so if it sounds like an expensive fix, maybe I should steer clear of the car?

I'm a competent DIY mechanic/auto electrician, so when I have time I can try a few of your suggestions, if any.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, when I googled "Freelander reverse light" I found someone else had posted the same problem with their Freelander on Yahoo Answers, so hopefully this is a common fault with an easy fix...
Click to expand...

There is a technical bulletin on my autodata about this
ill have a look on monday
 
Owners of some 2002-5 Freelanders may be eligible for a new fuel-pump module. In T.S.B. Q0572 issued on June 10, Land Rover says problems with the fuel filter may cause premature wear in the fuel pump. The company says that modules will be replaced regardless of warranty status through Jan. 11, 2011. Reimbursement may be approved for owners who replaced the module at their own expense.
23/02/07
Land Rover is recalling 33,000 Freelander SUVs in the U.S. to fix a faulty brake light switch. All Freelanders built at the company's Solihull, U.K., plant between September 2001 and May 2005 could be affected. In a posting on its Web site, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the brake lights on some 2002-'05 models stay illuminated even when the brake pedal is not depressed. Warning lights for hill descent control, traction control and cruise control could also light up. Land Rover dealers have been instructed to install new switches of the same design in March and then to replace them in May (07) when a re-engineered unit becomes available.
 
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