First time freelander owner needs advice

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.

tubzie2124

New Member
Posts
8
I've just got myself a Freelander Serengeti 1.8 petrol 3 door 2003 model.
There are issues so far and I would like to seek advice prior to going to a dealer to pay out LOADZ of bucks.
Issues that I have "so far"
Rear window motor (previous owner has cable tied the window up) I think cables are loose and springs have fallen out.
The rear window heater is not working
The rear window wiper and water sprayer not working
The intermittent front wiper only goes up and the next oscillation it goes back down
The rear window (boot) motor spins and moans when I open the boot
The gear stick (manual) is very wobbly people say a pin is loose and I need a nut and bolt (what side and how long)
When I unlock the doors with the remote key fob the drivers door unlocks and if I unlock it again the boot unlocks but the passenger door stays locked and you have to manually have to unlock it from inside. (Not good for morale when the wife is in the rain and I'm in the dry. He he)
Is there such a thing to buy as a Tonio cover for when I get caught out when the roof is off?

Many thanks and if there is any info you can provide I would like to thank you in advance.

Merry Christmas everyone.
 
Last edited:
Hello. Sorry. I forgot to introduce myself.
How do you do that.
I'm totally new to all of this.
Again sorry.
 
A lot of your troubles will be fixed once you sort the rear window drive.

The rear wiper and heated screen only work when the window is fully shut, and the spinning noise is probably the window motor trying to lower the window to let the door open. I guess the window is tied up closed but not fully shut?

There is a shower cover but they may be a bit rare now (I'm half heartedly looking for one myself but haven't found one).

Can't help with the rest.
 
Hi ...there's a search bar up at the top of the page by your name - type your problem in and see what results you get ...welcome :)
 
Somewhere on here there is a thread on how to repair you windscreen wiper motor, I I'd it myself and it worked a treat, need to take the motor out. Drill out the rivets, clean out the grease and smooth off the plastic, undoubtedly the will be a lumpy bit somewhere this has been caused by someone trying to use the wipers when frozen or lots of snow, I did the fix myself took 30min and works perfectly now. Just need a couple of nuts and bolts or a riveter to put the motor back together ill try to find the thread and post it to you.
 
Heated rear screen is normally the tabs connecting the wires to the heater tape brake as the window goes up and down, happens to me, pain to fix and still haven't figured out how. Needs a good solder or something. Just take off the inside trim of the rear door and you can see where the wire should be connected
 
Shower cover looks like this....
50e2397c884d6cb039fe29cf8a67a2b1.jpg
 
I've just got myself a Freelander Serengeti 1.8 petrol 3 door 2003 model.
There are issues so far and I would like to seek advice prior to going to a dealer to pay out LOADZ of bucks.

Many thanks and if there is any info you can provide I would like to thank you in advance.

Merry Christmas everyone.

At the risk of becoming BOb . Burn it or sell it . Get something more dependable .
 
Replace the rear window mechanism. This should sort out the washer/wiper and heater problem. This is due to all functions needing the window to be shut fully before the control unit allows them to work.

The lock issue -the first press only unlocks the drivers door, so that is ok. The second press should unlock the rest of the doors. I guess the passenger locking motor has failed. ( a common fault).

The gear changes do get worn. Some of them have replaceable bushes. Do a search on the forum for more info.

All in all you don't have too many problems!
 
My advice would be stay away from the dealers and get an haynes manual, download a copy of the rave manual, start reading the posts on here then it's time to start getting your hands dirty and you'll save on garage bills that soon start to add up owning a freelander.
 
Thank you everyone. You've been a great help.
I will let you know how things go in the new year.
I need to go and buy a Haynes Manual now for the Freelander.
Would you recommend crawling through scrap yards?
 
Most of these things you will be able to do for your self. If you take them to a garage they will charge you through the nose. There are lots of people here ready to help you with advice. Once the rear window regulator is fixed most of your problems will be sorted. The wiper Motor will also be fairly easy to sort out. Don't go spending lots of money on the easy stuff. Leave you cash for the difficult things. Also there is a good trade I. Second hand parts so you should be able to get the things you need much cheaper. It may take a bit of extra time but to will be worth it and the feeling of satisfaction you will get from knowing that you did it your self will be great. Trust me I know I have done it this way with lots of help from the great people on this site. Onwards and Upwards. :)
 
Back
Top