P38 4.6 v8 electrical faults

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AdamBu

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Hello all.
Thought I would sign up here as I now own a 'N' plate 4.6 V8 Range Rover.
Like a fool I brought it blind off eBay, you only live once

It has a fair amount off electrical problems on it, the main one I am worried about is the fact it has no brake lights, all others work but no brake lights. Have changed the brake Switch, checked fuses and bulbs.
After some reading it could possibly be the fuse box, anyone else got any more ideas
 
Get hold of the RAVE manuals - indispensable for the P38 Owner....

land rover service factory manual RAVE download land rover resource, service manual, workshop factory manual, download, rave, vehicles including discovery, series, defender, range rover, freelander, LR3, Handbooks, Catalog, Catalogue, Land Rover Inte

Check the Electrical Trouble Shooting Manual in the RAVE and get hold of a multimeter....

The Message display should indicate a blown bulb or fuse message - I am not sure if the Brake Lights are through a relay or not - again check RAVE.

Also check for a good earth point (RAVE again will tell you where the earth points are)....

Also check the holders for corrosion, etc etc....

Stick around here - LZ is a minefield of information....

:welcome2: btw....
 
I have a long list off faults that display. It tells me some fuses are out that I have checked and they are fine, it displays, abs fault, traction control fault, and some fuses faults too.
 
EDIT - No relay, but they are switched via the BeCM (the cars brains)

Disconnect Battery and check all connectors to the BeCM - make sure you have the EKA code hand incase it throws a wobbler when you connect the battery again....

Check all the fuse box connections - the fusebox is a dodgy item on the P38's.....

No relays in the circuit - as attached.....(from the magical RAVE)
 

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Check for wet carpet in the drivers footwell. Remove and check all the connectors for corrosion from the BECM under the drivers seat, especially if the carpet is wet (with the battery disconnected). Check the under bonnet fuse box for signs and smells of burning and also that the main feed from the battery to the fuse box is good.
Before disconnecting the battery, make sure you have the EKA code and radio code.
Oh and:welcome2: to the mad mad world of P38 ownership:)
 
Datatek said:
Check for wet carpet in the drivers footwell. Remove and check all the connectors for corrosion from the BECM under the drivers seat, especially if the carpet is wet (with the battery disconnected). Check the under bonnet fuse box for signs and smells of burning and also that the main feed from the battery to the fuse box is good.
Before disconnecting the battery, make sure you have the EKA code and radio code.
Oh and:welcome2: to the mad mad world of P38 ownership:)
Click to expand...
Hi Datatek,
Hope you are still there, I have had strange problems for along time with my P38 radio and sat nav. which may/may not be due to a wet carpet.
Probs were apparent in winter when much rain and very rare in summer when carpet dried out.
Radio used to switch channels of its own accord, now it doesn't, but the sound quality is now absolutely awful and only through the L/H speakers.
Occasionally the R/H side comes alive for a few seconds then dies again.
Don't know whether it might just be a dying radio, or corrosion somewhere in connections. Are there any under the carpet R/H side front?
Hope to hear from you.
cheers
I ike this car just the same.
ET
 
AdamBu said:
I have a long list off faults that display. It tells me some fuses are out that I have checked and they are fine, it displays, abs fault, traction control fault, and some fuses faults too.
Click to expand...
And you're worried about your brake lights with abs and traction control faults!?!
Welcome to the world of the P38, or should I say, the parallel universe!
As Saint said, the fusebox on P38's is a known weakspot.
The biggest piece of advice I can give you is get yourself a nanocom, not cheap but it WILL pay for itself in no time.
 
eurotraveller said:
Hi Datatek,
Hope you are still there, I have had strange problems for along time with my P38 radio and sat nav. which may/may not be due to a wet carpet.
Probs were apparent in winter when much rain and very rare in summer when carpet dried out.
Radio used to switch channels of its own accord, now it doesn't, but the sound quality is now absolutely awful and only through the L/H speakers.
Occasionally the R/H side comes alive for a few seconds then dies again.
Don't know whether it might just be a dying radio, or corrosion somewhere in connections. Are there any under the carpet R/H side front?
Hope to hear from you.
cheers
I ike this car just the same.
ET
Click to expand...

Datatek doesn't tend to come on here these days.

If you have problems I'd start a new thread detailing the model and year - it makes a difference! @martyuk seems to have a fair bit of experience with radio issues, particularly where the DSP amp was fitted.
 
Check you front door window seals.

After heavy rain a leaking seal can allow water to drip down onto the door amps.
If they seem ok, go to the amp in the boot & take a look at the connectors. You may see some corrosion on them.

Hope this helps until some more knowledgable advice comes along.
 
Without knowing the year of the vehicle, it's very hard to pinpoint what version of the audio system was fitted.

If it's a later P38, especially with the factory nav, then it will most likely have a DSP amp in the LHR of the loadspace behind a load of trim/subwoofer. This amp is known to have issues and fail randomly - I think a lot of the time because of water ingress/overflowing rear sunroof drain.

If it's an earlier P38 with amps in the doors and the clarion head unit, then I've heard that there's a power resistor inside the head unit that can get dry joints around it, and cause strange problems.
 
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