Hi Everyone! I've been dealing with a mess. What was happening was al of the sudden the locks would unlock, hazards would come on, radio off and a system failure message. The car would continue running but the problem got more frequent and if I turned it off while happening it wouldn't turn back on right away. I thought it was the instrument cluster but my mechanic thought it was a grounding issue. $1400 later, I still had the problem, but he agreed that it might be the cluster.

So I removed the instrument cluster and sent to a specialist who repaired it and just got it back. I reinstalled the cluster and tried to start it up. It wouldn't and every single error message came on, locks unlock, hazards on but no turnover just clicking. So I installed a new battery as it had been an older one and sitting for a few weeks unused. Tried to start up but no luck at all. Instrument cluster specialist said it was cleared and working when he sent it back. I also heard it could be a faulty key fab that is causing all the issues but I am at a lost as to what to try next.

 

Ensure first of all that your battery is fully charged. Usually when you get multiple unrelated error messages, you have an electrical problem, so if the battery is fully charged and all this is still happening, I'd start by disconnecting the negative battery cable and letting the machine sit for a few hours to reset itself (or you can do a "hard reset" but let's not get into that for now). After a few hours of being disconnected, reconnect the battery negative cable and see if that clears things up and the vehicle will start. If not, then you have other issues including possibly grounding and you'll need some more sophisticated troubleshooting skills. Modern vehicles are unfortunately prone to displaying many unrelated error messages when power and grounding are the culprits. I'm sure others more knowledgeable will be chiming in with additional useful suggestions, good luck!

 

Thank you! Yes, prior to sending out the cluster my mechanic worked on the grounding issue as he believed that was the issue to begin with. I replaced the old battery with a brand new one after reinstalling the repair instrument cluster, so I know the battery is fully charged. I will try removing the negative cable.

 

I am assuming that you have a D3/LR3 Land Rover SE/HSE since you are posting in this forum, can you please verify this and whether it is a V8 or V6 and gasoline (petrol) or diesel, automatic or manual transmission and its' year? It becomes difficult to assist when we don't know anything about the machine. Thanks in advance...

 

Confused why the cluster would be suspect anyway. I would suspect the Central Junction Box (CJB) as being the culprit IF, as mentioned, alternator output has been verified and the battery is a known good one. If the CJB is the issue, well it can not be easily replaced. But typically there is water entry which can damage it. If you have wet carpets, then this may be the suspect area. Also consider something like a connector not being seated on the CJB all the way, that can cause intermittent issues.

 

Thank you. I have not had wet carpets that I have known of, but then again I have floor mat covers so I may have been unaware.

 

Appreciate that. Yes, it is the 2007 LR3 Land Rover SE, V8, Automatic

 

I've had this exact problem and it was the cluster. I swapped in a used one and haven't had the issue again.

There's more to it than just swapping the cluster, you need a GAP or similar.

 

I think I'd be checking those electrical grounds first, starting at the battery stud on the fender where the negative battery cable connects to, that is an inexpensive check and a cheap fix if that's the problem. My personal experience troubleshooting on anything electronic is to look for the simplest things that could go wrong first, then migrate to progressively more complex issues, it is amazing how simple things (like poor power/grounding) cause sophisticated systems (like CAN BUS) to fail. Code readers and high end electronic troubleshooting tools only work well when the basic requirements of operation are properly met. Unfortunately, it took several winters for this prime troubleshooting lesson to be implemented by me...

 

I had the same issue with my 2007 LR3 HSE last year- Needed a whole new cluster- and it was a cluster. It was at the height of Covid- I had to wait 3 weeks for a proper replacement and install.
Once done, I have not had an issue since. (crossing my fingers)