Please Help!! Auto gearbox problem? Limp Mode. Td4 Freelander

Hi there, desperately wondering if anyone can advise me... I'm a girl and know bugger-all about cars! /

I have a 2006 Auto TD4 Freelander... (I wish i didn't right now!) Within a few minutes of starting the vehicle it goes into limp mode (this happens 8 times out of 10) the heated seat on the drivers side has stopped working (the button doesn't light up either but does work occasionally if the car is not in limp mode) The CD player isn't working... but the radio does. All this happened around the same time? Is it related or just coincidence?

I took it to a landcover specialist nearby and he told me it was a solenoid (sp.?) problem in the auto gearbox but that he won't touch it.... I've failed to find anyone locally who can help. Took it to a friend's garage and he said he's not sure he agrees with the diagnosis but doesn't know what to suggest either.

Has anyone had a similar problem or know what might be wrong with it? Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to offer )

re gearbox , has it shown fault code f4 on the gear position display on the dash ?
There might be a problem with the CCU , or it might just be a bad earth , a search of rave might show you if they have a common earthing point , Don't be worried about being a girl and knowing nothing about cars as there a lot of males in the same situation If the "specialist" diagnosed the fault as solenoid in gearbox did he specify which one ? There are several , they are not that expensive eg £40 and its not specially difficult job to change them
the trickiest bit is getting the oil level correct on refill !

Thank you for your reply Yes I forgot to say the dashboard is showing fault F4 too. What's the CCU? The specialist didn't say which solenoid... He just said it's a nightmare job and would be the best part of a grand to fix... If he was prepared to do it, which he wasn't! Not very helpful at all.

f4 is basically telling you gearbox is in limp mode, its not a good idea to drive when it is as depending on what is wrong can cause more damage. The fault code can be read, and that should tell you what needs changing ie sensor or solenoid in gearbox .Can be done with box in car .
The ccu is a ECU that clips onto rear of fuse box in freelanders, controls many functions to do with locking
plipper , wiper delay etc etc
The specialist isnt much of a specialist by the sound of it .
Some of our more northern emebers might be able to suggest a local for sorting it ?
Might be better posting in Freelander section BTW

tacr2man said:

f4 is basically telling you gearbox is in limp mode, its not a good idea to drive when it is as depending on what is wrong can cause more damage. The fault code can be read, and that should tell you what needs changing ie sensor or solenoid in gearbox .Can be done with box in car .
The ccu is a ECU that clips onto rear of fuse box in freelanders, controls many functions to do with locking
plipper , wiper delay etc etc
The specialist isnt much of a specialist by the sound of it .
Some of our more northern emebers might be able to suggest a local for sorting it ?
Might be better posting in Freelander section BTW

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Thank you ever so much for your help. Very much appreciated! I Will re-post in Freelander section .

Northern_Bird said:

Thank you ever so much for your help. Very much appreciated! I Will re-post in Freelander section .

Click to expand...

Hi , this was originally sent to Hippo as a thank you as I had my 2001 V6 auto Freelander going into limp mode with flashing F4 and hill descent light amber.

"I just wanted to say thanks for your info re check wiring looms if solonoid faults show up for the transmission...2001 V6 auto Freelander.
I had a quick look at them but couldn't see any problem and took the car to a automatic specialist who said the faults showed two solonoids faulty as well as throttle position sensor as well as hill descent light fault being on continuously. So cost was around $1200 +.
Today mechanic called and said that one wiring loom had been rubbing against the radiator or hose etc and bare wires were showing , so he covered them and hitched them out the way and no more fault codes showing.
Hooleedoolee !
I'm still going to be holding my breath for a while but it seems your "Wisdom of the Elders" has shone again."

Best Regards
Mal