About three days ago, I was on my way to work in my '02 Disco II ... I was only a block from my house, stopping at an intersection, when there was an audible beep (or something like a beep or ding) and the ABS and TC lights on the dash lit up, seemingly for no reason at all. In other words, I was driving normally, being very nice to the truck, and the lights just came on out of nowhere. I put the truck in park, turned it off, took the key out of the ignition, then started the truck again - the lights did not turn back on (or stay on, more appropriately) ... and for the rest of the day, they stayed off, and the truck exhibited no signs of anything being wrong.

This morning, on the way to work ... same story again. These are the only two times these lights (or any indicator lights for that matter) have lit up. Granted, I bought the truck 'used', and have only had it about 2 weeks, if that. Overall, with my limited knowledge of Discos (and not being a vehicle mechanic) I can't seem to find anything wrong with the truck. All "systems" in the truck seem to operate flawlessly - i.e. the engine runs very smoothly, it shifts well, A/C works great, steering is smooth and clean, brakes work well with just a little squeal, etc...

So, to the point ... other than a short in the wiring or something like that causing a false indication, what kind(s) of things would cause those lights to turn on? Is there any reason for me to be worried? Does this happen to everyone from time to time? Should I take the truck into the local dealer or to a certified mechanic to just give the truck a good inspection since I just got it? Just looking for what my next move is, to make sure the truck is 'sound', in good repair and properly maintained ... Thanks!

 

You may be one of the lucky ones that doesn't have a major problem, but one of the common less expensive problems.
When the lights are on, does your ABS still work?
How mechanical are you?
Mike

 

I didn't test the ABS system when the light was on ... I just turned the truck off, then back on and the lights were 'gone' ... However, I can tell that already there have been a couple of times I've had to jam the brakes pretty good, and the ABS worked as I would expect it to ...

As far as being mechanically inclined, I'm pretty good with that sort of thing, provided I have the tools and the "place" to do the work ... what might be the thing(s) I need to check out?

 

I can't answer your question entirely, however, my ABS light is ON and my ABS "works" in panic and low tractions situations too. I've thrown the error before on my RR after heavy offroad use where I broke a lead wire and it eventually blew an error code and started pretending it's a blinking christmas light strand. My brother, the past ABS engineer at bosch, nissan, and gm could explain this better given a manual or diagram of the fluid routing, however my impression is the following:

The error code needs to be read and looked up -- could be low pressure in the system, an internal leak, a bad sending unit, a sending unit that came "unseated" and needs to be pushed back in, or a host of other problems. If you need to find the error code look in the other sections for DISCO error code display units... My range rover is under the passenger seat for most codes and there is an additional plug on the drivers side that flashes a pulse code on the display when two pins are jumped.

I understand that rovers generally have very high end ABS -- sensing surface type, maybe temperature, and individual wheel speed. If one of the wheel sending units is bad then the disco probably "other" logic that kicks in and it would not result with the best stopping distance under the best control. Some car systems have a "limp home" mode that might pulse all wheels or not employ the ABS at all. There are 1,2,3, and 4 wheel speed sensor systems -- I don't know what rover defaults into, however, I would say it's not the ideal mode if the light is on.

Don't mean to scare you or make you feel ripped off, however, if the prior owner had an error that was not fixed, they could have deleted the memory of it and it took a few weeks to re-trigger it. On my system I got other messages AFTER I cleared out the main message too. There is a logic to the madness, however, it is madness.

1. find the error code
2. clear that one and check for others
3. continue clearing and checking until it's reset
4. research the code in a manual OR ask here (the rover oracle)
5. present your burnt sacrifice to the DRUID god of metal, rubber, glass, gas, or whatever diety you are trying to appease
6. next offering of gold to the temple guards selling parts
7. pennance of bruised nuckles, grease in eye, rain dripping in face, etc...
8. forgiveness is yours
9. annual offerings will help appease the gods too and keep them from getting angry
10. now you are in the favor of the DRUID gods of metal, gas, etc...

 

I always tell my wife those lights are just the Rover telling us it loves us. Or that is the heart beating monitor....

However, I'm in the DRUID dog house right now with no reverse in one vehicle for not changing the tranny fluid for 8 years (shame on me). They are good, reliable vehicles -- however, the oil needs to be changed more than once a decade. Since then I've changed tranny fluid on every car/truck/bike I own and have been really catching up on services (including things like belts and hoses BEFORE they go bad). That is the best way to stay ahead of the game.

 

I have this same problem. my abs does not work when the lights come on. dealer has flashed the computer once but it is back

 

Disco Mike, do you have info on a permanent fix for the TC, ABS and HDC lights coming on and going off after restarting the vihicle??

 

hello!!

My lights are on as well, my question is....the computer that hooks up to the car to find the codes.....is that how you clear the lights??? I have not found any info about how to clear the lights. what I am looking for is howto do it.....if i need to hook up the computer what is the proceedure to turn the lights off...and can you do this with out the computer, like on my wife's acura...her lights come on and it has a way to clear them off.

Thnaks

Ralph

 

For all of you-- The lights are triggered by a number of things. First--- if you have squeaking brakes, the vibrationscan causethe ABSsensor on that wheel to send a false value to the computer. The fix--- have the brakes cleaned andinspected---if the pad thickness is on the thin side re-fit new pads AND ROTORS. Second-- the ABS sensors have been known to come loose in the bore they press into.

Sometimes--- a little tapping to re-seat a sensor will eliminate the problem. They have to be a certain fixed distance from the toothed target wheel that rotates underneath them. Third--- the Discovery has a tendancy at about 80-100K miles to throw these lights when one or more of the wheel hub/bearing assemblies develop slop in them. There is no servicing this part (like in the old days of re-pack and set preload). You replace the whole assembly.

And last-- but not least......there is the dreaded "shuttle valve" error. By that I mean--- when the vehicle is hooked up to a scanner (Autologic,TestBook, RovaComm)to retrieve the Fault Codes that are stored in the computer, the technician may see the shuttle valve message. This is an internal part on the ABS Modulator that typically requiresreplacingthe unit. They are very expensive ---parts and labor approaches two thousand dollars. A shuttle valve kit is now available and some have been successful in using it, while others go through the repair process only to have the light come back on a little down the road.

The only way to clear these lights (after a successful repair--of course) is to have the above mentioned scanner hooked up to the vehicle. The OBDII compliant ones that the auto parts stores carry can only read engine related data-- not suspension or body electrical data. You must find a well-equipped independent shop, or there is always the..........aaarrrgh!!!...... Dealer.


Geoman
www.eurotekapg.com

 

Well ... Yesterday, the beloved trio of dash lights appeared again, and this time (much to my disman) they would not go away after turning off the vehicle, removing the key from the ignition, and then restarting ...

However, I think I am in 'ok' shape regardless ... and here's why ... Since I got my truck a little over a month ago, I knew that I needed to have the brakes worked on. I'm quite sure the pads are at the end of their useful life, and the rotors are visibly in need of turning or replacement. I'm guessing my dash lights are coming on because of the bad state of repair of my brakes/rotors. Just for the record, my brakes have had a pretty good 'squeal' since the day I got the truck ... it's become a little worse since then, and I have noticed that the dash lights seem to come on when the brakes are squeaking (as mentioned previously by a poster in this thread) ...

Considering that, I am going to have my brakes 'fixed'... probably new pads and rotors. I have no clue what that will cost me (anyone care to comment)? It's not a job I can do myself. The other thing I'm curious about is what I need to do about the lights. If the brakes are the issue, will the lights turn off on their own once the brakes are repaired? If not, what do I need to do in order to 'reset' the lights and check the error codes to make sure I address whatever the problem might be?

Thanks!