My unpopular solution among some enthusiast was to install Old Man EMU coilovers and their magic orange box.

 

Update:

First off sorry I've detailed the thread! This will be my last post on the matter hopefully. I'm one of those guys that can't let something technical kick his tail. All night I did research on it. I got up for work and had to dive into it before I left as it was killing me!!

I had left the battery disconnected all night so I went ahead and removed the battery and the cheap (_!_) little cover over the heart n soul of a LR3. The grey plug was perfect, as was the smaller blue one. The yellow plug however did have some goo on it (like a light coat of what the EAS system can have of white stuff). I used a brush and 100% of it came off the actual yellow plug. I then got all of it out of the actual TCM plug area. I had nothing to loose so I removed the beer can cover from the 100% exposed board and the board itself was flawless. It had a date code from 09 so it's been replaced at least once.

Put it all back together to test it all and my thoughts are that the water is coming down inside the boots. I want to squirt some silicone inside them just as a CYA. It however showed no signs of being damp or wet recently at all. (From the massive rain storm yesterday for example).

Put the covers back on, slapped the battery back in, and fired it up. I got the normal system test, and one ding. Put it in R and I could tell the brakes were not being applied! Drove it maybe 8 miles and no faults or issues. Cruise Control worked, HDC, all 4wd options and no smoking brakes!!

The only aftermath of this are now the front brakes squeak (sure they're glazed over as can be & the EAS pump does not raise the LR3 as fast so I'm guessing it's little piston ring is on it's way out), however I have no EAS faults and the pump doesn't run over 2min at a time.

I'll of coarse have to drive it some more (at least 50 miles) to be sure, but it's looking better than last night's conclusion!!!

I love the LR3, but truly LR should have recalled that TCM placement with a better weather proof solution!

If you buy an LR3 inspect that darn TCM first thing! To heck with the control arms lol

 

Thanks for helping me make up my mind. I am never buying a LR3.

 

LOL, it's a different beast for sure! I've got the old LR stuff down to an art.

We'll see how my test drive goes this evening. I just couldn't stand the lowered suspension BS... Like I said that crappy TCM has no business being located where it is!! LR should have ditched the upper glovebox for a TCM location up high and away from any crappy LR windshield cowls.

 

Picked up the LR3 from a land rover dealer as it was an is car, no warranty no gaurentee. I am lucky that I use to work there and one of the techs looked it over, replaced one of the rear air shocks and he changed all the fluids for me. Drove the car to FL and back from MD 1,600 miles and it did not miss a beat and averaged 22mpg doing 70 mph with the cruise control on. Could not be happier. Yes it has a few internal issues, the radio has seen better days and a number of the buttons don't work, but thats ok as I will replace it eventually.

 

The better solution is to install a baffle to keep water out of the heater box even if it gets past the cowling. The LR3 is a nuanced vehicle for sure. I have been posting on this board and others for about 10 years and what I've noticed is a whole slew of unhappy campers that bought LR3s used, which to me is a crap shoot. You have to do some serious vetting before buying a used LR, especially an LR3, then do a bunch of preventative stuff.

Agreed some of these highly integrated systems are overly-complicated though...but when they are working they are superb.

 

I took a ride up to Austin to see my LR Master Tech buddy over the Labor Day Weekend. He went over my 06 HSE really well with a $$$$$$ LR specific scan tool, and it had all sorts of Can Bus faults. The only mechanical faults were a LF Height Sensor fault, and a brake switch fault (Both oh which could have been triggered when I worked on the EAS, and replaced the alternator/brake switch). He cleared the faults and I drove it 4.5hr home in all sorts of conditions and stop/start traffic and no issues.

The one thing he noticed was a fault that relates to the power connection in the battery compartment that is only used for when the vehicle is getting it's PDI at the dealer. He said they are well known for causing issues. He chopped it off and we secured it so it can't freak out the power/Can Bus. It has a little place it's supposed to be secured into like a dummy plug but mine was just hanging free in the battery compartment.

I've ordered some new cross drilled/slotted rotors and ceramic brake pads and I'll be installing them soon. I really do love the LR3 for highway trips. I've owned it 3-4 weeks and I've already put close to 4k on it.

 

Lately it seems a lot of people read the threads, NEVER read the bits about getting it inspected (seriously it's cheap compared to a headache), then make threads about the post-purchase agony... Not directed at anyone in particular.

 

What I had happen wouldn't have got caught at LR. I did come on here, read up, and I did inspect all the suspect areas besides tearing into the TCM on the car lot. If I wasn't at all car savvy then yep indeed take it to a LR dealership before buying it.

Heck my brother got an 05 LR3 and he took a trip to LR for a full inspection before buying it, yet after the purchase his EAS pump died, his front valve block died, all in the first few weeks of owning it.

My LR buddy didn't find anything wrong with my LR3 besides a seepy O-Ring on the oil filler neck, clearing some hard faults, and that PDI plug dangling around. Any new to you used car is going to need something (I always put some $$$$ in the budget after getting a new to me vehicle), as there is no such thing as a perfect used car or heck even a new car these days (all the recalls & TSB's).

 

My thoughts exactly... I 'soft budget' $2000 a yr for regular maintenance issues... that'll buy quite a bit of maintenance if you can do the work yourself or get it done cheap.