Land Rover Repair: 98 Land Rover Discovery, land rover discovery, speedy muffler

Question
Hi, I put my windows down two days ago, and now the driver's side window won't go up.  Any ideas before I have to drive the 1.5 hour trip to my nearest Land Rover?  Also, there is a rattling sound under the truck when coming to a stop or idling.  Any ideas on that?  I am up to date on all maintenance.  Finally, when I put my lights on "bright," they are on normal, and on "normal," they appear bright.  Dealership says it's electrical, but said it would run around 5 - 6 hours or more in labor to figure it out.  Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Ed,

seems you have some maintenace work pending ....

The window could be jammed for a few reasons: the glass support bracket is corroded and warped - thus catching on the window framing; the window actuator is seized and can no longer be raised; window frame weld is corroded and glass cannot track properly; glass slipped out of rubber seal (found on base) and is off track; window ecu is faulty (a common problem - most likely suspect) and has lost a link to the window control button.

You'll have to remove the door panel and expose the window area for inspection.  Once done, you can try to move the window up via button or by hand.  You can try swapping window control buttons to see if the problem is that simple, otherwise, I suspect its the window ecu that is faulty.

As for the rattling under the car...it could be the catalytic convertor found on the "Y" exhaust pipe.  Expensive to replace ($500+).  An exhaust specialist could give you a free inspection (Midas or Speedy muffler).

As for electrical problems...yes, LR would say 5 hours of labour.  Its a very difficult problem and almost all LR owners share in your complaint.  I recently went to the dealer to have my daytime running lights serviced.  Wouldn't you know it...when I arrived, the #$#@$%@$# lights started to work.  I had the dealer check them out anyway.  GUESS WHAT...they did not find anything wrong BUT still charged me $265 for their time.  Two weeks later...the lights are no longer working.  merde! (a very good french word used to describe this situation)

If could be that one of your headlights is faulty and causing this type of problem.  Most often its corrosion that causes electrical woes for LR vehicles.  Very common problem.

Best of luck,

JohnMc