New and need held with an old freelander which is almost a member of the family

Hello new to this so need all the help I can get. Please. I have a 1998 freelander which, touch wood, is running fine. However, it has had the dowhill descent on for the 14 years we have had it with no problems. So we have just ignored it like they told us to as its just a glitch. Now its been for its MOT and failed because the light is on as it has always been. The garage has charged me £200.00 to put it through its MOT but now say they cannot fix it. Any ideas would be more than welcome. Thank you.

You'd be best to do a search on here re' the HDC warning light as there are several possibilities as to the cause.

Start with the cheapest solution, change the switch at the top of the brake pedal mechanism.
About £10. Then move on from there. Or, take it to a different garage.
Mike

thank you so much for your replys. As soon as my son gets home I am going to get him to read what you have said and keep my fingers crossed.

Skinny Mike said:

Start with the cheapest solution, change the switch at the top of the brake pedal mechanism.
About £10. Then move on from there. Or, take it to a different garage.
Mike

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that is TC and HDC usually and usually means brake lights aren't working

single amigo is a lot more rare...

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/1-8-hdc-warning-light-199040.html

suggest it may be throttle position sensor.

Freelander - Hill Descent Control (HDC) Warning Light - Land Rover

suggests it may be too tight a throttle cable..

---all these point to throttle issues. Not brakes

lenny1234 said:

that is TC and HDC usually and usually means brake lights aren't working

single amigo is a lot more rare...

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/1-8-hdc-warning-light-199040.html

suggest it may be throttle position sensor.

Freelander - Hill Descent Control (HDC) Warning Light - Land Rover

suggests it may be too tight a throttle cable..

---all these point to throttle issues. Not brakes

Click to expand...

Yes, I agree. But it is still the cheapest and easiest starting point. And as Land rover decided to route most of the electronics through the brake switch, it would make sense to take this out of the equation.
I'm not saying iitll sort it though.
Mike

On a 98 Freelander the brake light switch is only a simple 2 contact switch. It's used for the brake light but does also connect to the ABS modulator. The test for this switch is as simple as pressing the brake pedal and watching the brake lights. No lights means faulty switch. If there are brake lights, then the fault lies elsewhere. The throttle position sensor would be my first guess as throttle position is required by the HDC system for it to work. Failing that, it's best to get a diagnostic test done. This would pinpoint the fault accurately.

Skinny Mike said:

Yes, I agree. But it is still the cheapest and easiest starting point. And as Land rover decided to route most of the electronics through the brake switch, it would make sense to take this out of the equation.
I'm not saying iitll sort it though.
Mike

Click to expand...

They do NOT route most of the electronics through the brake switch!

it is more than likely to be a fault with the switch its self or common problem is wires coming off the switch

Jackflo said:

Hello new to this so need all the help I can get. Please. I have a 1998 freelander which, touch wood, is running fine. However, it has had the dowhill descent on for the 14 years we have had it with no problems. So we have just ignored it like they told us to as its just a glitch. Now its been for its MOT and failed because the light is on as it has always been. The garage has charged me £200.00 to put it through its MOT but now say they cannot fix it. Any ideas would be more than welcome. Thank you.

Click to expand...

Petrol or Diesel?
If petrol check the throttle cable at the throttle body. If it isn't noticeable slack then slacken it. I had the same problem after adjusting the slack out of mine and had to put it back the way it was.