Right, Way more human generated RF noise in all frequency bands over the last 20 years. .

Could be anything really like you said...

One instance, when working with an unlicensed 6.8 gig microwave path over water we were noticing brief intermittent interruptions... Couldn't figure it out for months until one day we noticed a cargo ship sailing through the middle of the path and the interruption happened at exactly the same time... So we had spend many thousands of dollars of a fancy ship detector. What was really happening was that the path was partially reflecting off the water due to less than precise aiming of the dishes. Aiming them higher took the water reflection out of the picture and then things were good... Lol.

Also have seen signals from military aircraft blank whole bands of frequencies at random times... Well only random to the non military collateral recipients of the interference. Really hard to get to the bottom of that kind of thing unless you have inside contacts.

Hopefully the TSB offers a solution.

 

Wow Sandman, incredible find. Good work!

Looks like Doc has two alternatives - live with it or replace the BCU. And it's the BCU that's synched to the instrument panel, right, so you have the whole miles/flashing display/synch thing to deal with.

 

Lets not forget papa elons space internet!

I'm actually kinda excited to try it.

 

Pretty sure Nanocom can sync the BCU.

 

Sandman....you sir are a God; and I owe you a beer.

I wonder; from the “repair” information included in that .pdf; does it seem to say that the existing BCU can be updated? or that the fix is a replacement with a new BLANK BCU that must be programmed?

however disheartening this makes me to know that my only options are “live with it” or replace the BCU....I am overjoyed to know that I wasn’t losing my mind, or on the wrong track in troubleshooting.

as well, I know I can complete my roof leak issue repair and put the headliner back in....without worrying about having to take it back out again.

thank you for finding such an obscure article!

I am wondering....was this a recall? Would it still be active? or is this out of pocket at this point? Wishful thinking I know.

thanks again...

Doc

 

Glad to ease your mind! Looks like replace with a new 'blank' BCU and program it to the vehicle(add fitted features). As mine is doing it too I checked a local yard and they have a couple BCUs from 2003 and 2004 discos for great prices. I'm going to pick one up for mine and figured I could grab the others as well to distribute here.

Best I can tell it's a TSB not a Recall, slight difference with a recall being free usually. It's dated 2001 but couldn't hurt to talk to a dealer.

 

Doc, what are the last six digits of your truck's VIN? Is it within the range of the VINs specified in the TSB?

 

Is anyone interested in a junkyard BCU part number to match that supplied in the Tech Bulletin to correct this issue? A local yard has a couple BCUs from 2003 and 2004 discos for great prices. Trying to determine if it's worth picking up the ones they have to distribute here.

 

Great find @Sandman. I notice that I have to get really close to the car to make it function in dense urban environments. Maybe 433MHz is not so crowded and the better option. Cheap 433MHz receivers can be found on ebay sometimes.

 

this hits on a follow up I was going to ask....

I wonder IF replacing the 315mhz RF Receiver with a 433mhz in a NAM Disco is an option?

the euro and Asian market Discos came with 433mhz Receivers and keys.

so in my mind, and in theory, if the RF Receiver is plug and play, and only sends the appropriate unlock code to the BCU then it should work correct?

EDIT: obviously the key fob would have to be changed as well.