Hi.
Check engine light had come on a while back..
Two good shoppes could not find anything in all the tests..
(did change Mass Airflow Sensor..)
but still 171/174 Lean remains.
It seems car needs a "software update" and there is a notice to back it up which last tech gave us and first tech suggested is issue.

The check engine light comes for a few days & then disappears for a month..and then again returns & disappears.
Is there an independant shoppe who can update the software and make this light go away???
I fear going to the dealer as they charge double for every job they do.
If must go to dealer & protect against drumming up of bill..what should i ask for.

 

Any shop with a faultmate should be able to do it.

 

Where is your location?

Also, when you/they did the MAF sensor, did they use a FACTORY sensor AND did they clear adaptations? I keep a factory sensor in stock for diagnostic purposes, to prove to customers the NAPA sensor they put on yesterday is garbage. The adaptations MUST also be reset. or the codes will come back, even with a good working sensor. Been down that road too many times.

The update should be done, but I have only fixed a handfull with software update only. I usually end up doing the software in conjunction with a repair, if I can pinpoint a faulty component.

 

Originally the computer was not showing the Mass Air Flow Sensor at all.
Only the 171/174 Lean.
The German guy/owner of that shoppe tried but could find nothing.
And said nothings wrong with the car it looks like something with the computer .
A month or two later with light still on..

I took it to another place where the owner really put the time into finding it
but this time in addition to 171/174 Lean said a Mass Air flow sensor was coming up.
He said the original one was made in Germany and part cost less but he liked using another one which was better but cost some more. So we went for that.
So it is not the original factory part.
Once that was installed..171/174 Lean was still on.
He rechecked..smoke test etc ..nothing..and in the end found a notice from Land Rover that said this is a Software Update issue that it needed an up date at the dealer.
And Id like to have it done but not at the dealer.
Any other shop would have the capability other than dealer ?

Am in New Jersey.
Since then
The engine light comes on occasionally..then goes away.

 

I'm pretty sure the OE MAF is from japan and is NDenso brand.

 

If you do not want to take it to the dealer for the update all you can do is call around to some "foreign car" repair shops and ask if they have the update info.
Keep in mind shops have to pay for this info and dealers are trying to keep independent shops from getting it. There is supposed to be a bill introduced in NJ to let independents access all the info dealers get. I'm not sure what the status of that bill is.
I have a brother in law that owns a repair shop and he refuses to work on Land Rovers. He says they are too much trouble.

 

You are not saying anything about your car. how old, how many miles on it , what has been done recently, injector cleaning perhaps or oil change?
Two lean codes could be something simple like O ring on dip stick, that has not been pushed in all the way correctly or is just loose or needs replacement. Check your air intake system for loose connections, PCV valve might be faulty , resonator might have developed a pinhole or something.Also a loose oil cap could cause a vacuum leak hence two lean codes persisting.MAF sensor usually throws a code 101 in LR3s.

 

Original MAF is a Denso, and any other brand besides Denso is no good in these cars. I've tried many brands like NAPA, Carquest, Lucas, etc... They all caused a variety of different issues, all resolved with a Denso (OE) sensor.

As for the lean codes, I think the software is for "false" setting of the codes (P0171 & P0174). Basically, the "lean" codes set when the car really isn't running lean. The diagnostic parameters for setting the code were widened. What that means, is you need to see what the actual fuel trims are before deciding what to do next. If your fuel trims are for example +/- 5%, the update will likely fix. If your fuel trims are +/- 17%, you have an issue that needs diagnosed and repaired. Bad MAF, vacuum leak, faulty Pressure regulating valve (crankcase valve), faulty EGR and weak fuel pump are some possibilities.

Since you didn't give a city in NJ, I can only suggest Land Rover Repair Shops - Find a Land Rover Mechanic | LRShops.com and search for local LR specialists near you. One of the shops listed in NJ is "Oldwick Village Garage". I personally know these guys and they do a great job. I know they have some Land Rover stuff, because I bought my T4 Testbook from them, so they may have the SDD as well.

And on another note to the other fellow that responded, the "Right to Repair Act" has already forced manufacturers to release their service info and emissions related programming to the aftermarket. That is why J2534 protocol was introduced. Pending bills are related to SDRM (Theft Related Parts).

 

Oddly..When I looked into it last year i called Land Rover dealer and parts said they sell the German made Mass Air flow Sensor for this car..I forgot the name.
So i was concerned when the shop I took it to said they wanted to put in a more expensive Japanese made one in there that was better..but I said ok and it is the Denso.

The Car is 2006 LR3 SE almost 80k miles.
Ive been keeping on top of maintenance.Injectors were checked..smoke test..the rest Im not sure but it seems to be the Software Update and they gave me the notice from Land Rover to explain it.
This engine light first showed it self after putting in Gas at a Delta which was run down and has since closed.
The two shops (both were done by main tech/owner)put a lot of time into finding fault..the second guy was so determined when MAF didnt do it he went at it again.
But does any independant shop likely have capability to do this
"software update"?

 

Shops that specialize in Land Rover "should" be able to. If they can't, they shouldn't be advertising that they work on them.

Go to the LRshops dot com link: Land Rover Repair Shops - Find a Land Rover Mechanic | LRShops.com

These are shops that claim to work on these vehicles. Give the ones near you a call and ask if they can do the update.