Hi, hope someone can assist. The warning light has just come on on my 2013 Freelander 2 TD4 GS with the message "Gearbox Fault Reduced Transmission". I know this appears to relate to the Haldex system. Im not aware if any work or servicing has previously been done on it. Pardon my ignorance, but is the vehicle OK to drive at the moment? Also is there any way of knowing whether it just needs oil / filter or if it needs a new pump (which I've been told is likely to be about £1000 plus vat). Thanks in advance and if possible can any responses be kept non-technical!
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
What mileage is on the vehicle? Has the Haldex been serviced earlier than the stupid long LR service interval? If the Haldex has done more than 50k miles, without a service, then at the very least that's what is needed, but be aware that it might also need a replacement pump, which do fail if not serviced every 3 years 30k miles or so.
Is it safe to drive? Now there's a question. It depends on how you define safe?
Because the system is in limp mode, then some parts of the vehicle dynamic safety system are disabled.
The dynamic stability control is turned off, as it traction control.
The brakes, including ABS will still function perfectly, as will the steering, suspension and anything else not directly connected to the Terrain Response system.
As for the £1000 repair, that's expensive, as a reconditioned Haldex is available for ~ £600 fitted from Bell Engineering.
However before even thinking about repairs, you need to have the codes for the TR system read, as that will tell you exactly what the issue is, but if it's done more than 4 years or 50k miles without a Haldex service, then it's going to need a new pump, filter and fresh fluid (about £400), which has a good chance of solving the issue.
Is it safe to drive? Now there's a question. It depends on how you define safe?
Because the system is in limp mode, then some parts of the vehicle dynamic safety system are disabled.
The dynamic stability control is turned off, as it traction control.
The brakes, including ABS will still function perfectly, as will the steering, suspension and anything else not directly connected to the Terrain Response system.
As for the £1000 repair, that's expensive, as a reconditioned Haldex is available for ~ £600 fitted from Bell Engineering.
However before even thinking about repairs, you need to have the codes for the TR system read, as that will tell you exactly what the issue is, but if it's done more than 4 years or 50k miles without a Haldex service, then it's going to need a new pump, filter and fresh fluid (about £400), which has a good chance of solving the issue.
Hi and thanks for your reply. Ive got a friend who is hoping to try his diagnostic tool on it tomorrow to see what it shows up. Ive only owned the car for 6/7 months so no idea whether any previous work has been done on the haldex (theres nothing on the service record and nothing done in my time). Although it's 8 years old, its only done 55000 miles. Bizarrely, the warning light was off today but not sure if that's common for it to come on and off periodically? Will the diagnostic readout tell me whether it needs oil & filter / replacement pump / full unit? Thanks again
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
If it's a full systems diagnostic reader, then it should show you the codes for the TR module. If it's just an OBD2, then it'll only show engine codes, which won't be enough for this particular fault.
If it's been maintained to the LR service schedule, then the Haldex fluid and filter won't have been done, as LR have given it a 150k or 10 years maintenance schedule.
However every other vehicle manufacturer that uses the Haldex (there are quite a lot), gives the Haldex between a 3 year 30k miles and 5 years 50k miles fluid and filter change.
Going be LRs service intervals, the Haldex (and other drive line components) will fail long before it's due for maintenance.
It sounds like the pump motor is likely on its way out, and periodically doesn't draw any current, so the Haldex module tell the TR module there's an issue.
A decent diagnostic will tell you the issue, if it's something that can be monitored, like the pump motor, or control valve.
A diagnostic won't tell you if the fluid is stale, or the filter is blocked, but those cost under £50 and is an hour's work to do.
I had this too and was worried about an expensive pump or Haldex replacement. Luckily my garage is honest and just changed the haldex filter and oil. This sorted the problem - no dash error display and I’ve got full traction back. I bet most garages would change the pump without testing it. The car has done 120k miles so I guess this should’ve been done earlier.
