Land Rover Repair: Discovery Traction Control ABS Downhill descent warning lights, major recall, computer faults

Question
HI

I read your response about the similar problem. You seem to regard the ABS warning light as a separate issue to the down-hill descent and traction control lights.

I have had this problem twice now. The owners manual regards them as 1 issue. So do the chaps that I take my car to. First they reset the computer faults and I took it for a spin. The lights came back on. They replaced the wheel sensor unit and that sorted it out (all three lights ). Two months later, same problem, different wheel.

All three lights come on together. Looks like I'm in for another couple of grand to fix this wheel.

Is this common ? Is there a way to rest the computer error without taking the car in each time ?

Answer
Hi Jeremy,

I'm not an expert on ETC, HDC and ABS but I can comment on what I have read and discussed with other LR owners.  The HDC system does use the ABS as well as the ECU. I think the HDC and the ECU run the entire show!  How's that for abbrev's?

I have read that there is a major recall of LR Disco II's.  ECU's are being replaced because they cause all sorts of problems with HDC, ETC, ACE, ...  did I forget any other abbreviations?

Your problem is not unique.  Many other Disco II owners are complaining about "all three lights" being erroneously activated.  LR has issued a recall and, unless you have not received a recall notice, you should contact your dealer.  

Note:
It would appear that the SLABS ECU recall (?) is not easy to execute.  Many owners are going back to the dealer after being serviced by the recall.  Something about leveling sensors failing and sending the wrong signals.

Here is something I read on the internet:

"At time of the SLABS upgrade they found that the ECU would not accept the upgrade. They found that the rear of the vehicle was not level, out by about 5mm on one side, once they sorted this out the SLABS upgrade the worked fine. It is too soon after the upgrade to know if it has fixed the problem."   This owner had to take his Disco back into the dealer once again...they finally fixed the problem.

Finally, To reset the codes, you can disconnect the negative cable on the battery.  It clears out the error code buffer and waits for new faults to trigger.  Security code will have to be re-entered for radio CD player.  

SO to answer your question,  yes I think this is a common problem with Disco II's.  Older Disco's have a different ECU and ABS system.

Keep after LR about this recall!

Best of luck,

JohnMc