Just wondering if anyone could help and assist with some information please.

I went on a 90 mile journey on Sunday and arrived at destination. Went to restart car but wouldn`t start. The ignition was on but it was displaying a HDC malfunction in the information display, the temperature gauge went to the top of the gauge and a warning light displayed ( two photos attached ).

Having recently fitted a new battery I opened the bonnect to check connections, all ok. Removed the key from ignition, waited a couple of minutes before refitting and attempting to start. Same thing happened as previously.

Checked the internet ( in the absence of a Haynes manual ) on mobile phone for information. Placed key in ignition, pressed HDC button before attempting a restart. The car started although the warning light remained illuminated. Decided to drive a short distance around the car park before stwitching off. Attempted a restart.....no problems. Car started first time with no warning light and no error messages in the display panel regarding HDC malfunction.

In the four years I have owned the vehicle this is the first time this has happened. Both my wife and I are adamant we never touched the HDC button before exiting the car upon arrival or on initial restart. In fact the HDC button has never been used during my ownership.

Sorry for essay but my query is.....Does the HDC button illuminate when pressed ( mine didn`t )?

Many thanks

Drop a diagnostic tool on it see if there any fault codes, it could just be an FL gremlin, they all have them now and again, unless someone knows for certain.

Thanks very much Arctic2 for your reply.

No further issues with the Freelander on the return journey home covering another 120+ miles. Have borrowed a neighbours iCarsoft Pro scanner so I can scan for any potential codes as you suggest

Have just carried out an iCarsoft scanner test but there appears to be a link problem ( photo attached ). Need to do some research why the link problem as I have checked the cable and ignition is on.

Have tried my basic scanner, same results......have unplugged before attempting to scan again but same link problem with that scanner too.

Both scanners go through the set up and search but before the results come up both state there is a link problem

Have tried both code readers on a Nemo van that I own and both work perfectly.

Sounds like something is going on with your OBDII port have look with a torch to see if there is any corrosion in the plug, or if any are open ie loose or missing ? you don't want loose female connections or missing ones, the connection must be good, for both scan tools to fail the female maybe open to much and need closing somehow, i wonder if there is a fuse to the port, maybe someone else has had this problem and will let us know.

Many thanks Arctic2 for your continued interest in this thread and for taking the time to research and post the link, very much appreciated .

Have viewed the Youtube clip you enclose, I dont mind anything mechanical but I really need an injection of confidence to start tinkering about with electrics, for some reason I have a fear of messing things up.

As the car is operating and performing without issue I might wait a while before I can summon up enough courage to check the OBD port, although I will check for corrosion with a torch as you suggest. Hopefully someone else might be able to comment on whether there is a fuse to the port in the meantime .

HDC faults on starting is a classic low or faulty battery issue. Are you waiting for the system check to complete before starting the engine?

Nodge68 said:

HDC faults on starting is a classic low or faulty battery issue. Are you waiting for the system check to complete before starting the engine?

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Thankyou for your reply Nodge68.

Yep I always wait for the system check to complete before starting. I didn`t do anything different on Sunday compared to all the other times I started the car. The battery was replaced with a new Bosch S4 008 battery two days prior to the journey.