Discovery 3 air con non/op

Hi, has anyone had air conditioning issues with the disco3? There appears to be no refrigerated air (only cold air) when maximum cold (blue notch) is selected and the system is operating in “auto” mode. The heating and vent system is working fully and in higher temperatures quite well. No work has been carried out on the air con as far I can make out. Full service history available. Ideas such as re gas and relay check is all I’ve found on line. Cheers!

Switch a/c on with engine running, wait a few minutes, lift bonnet, see the alloy pipes next to the battery cover? have a feel if they are both warm then you have inop air con.
Most will have low gas, as the system loses a certain percentage naturally each year, so you may be lucky and a quick 50/60 quid regass may get you going again.

Basically there is a pressure switch in the pipe next to the battery box, no pressure means the system shuts down to protect the pump from seizing.

Plus 1 , ^^^^^^^

Look thanks very much that’s a real help. I will go for the re gas first. Do you know if the LR diagnostic equipment would flag up faults if the re gas does not help? Also is it worth checking the relay? Cheers

Stradreagh said:

Look thanks very much that’s a real help. I will go for the re gas first. Do you know if the LR diagnostic equipment would flag up faults if the re gas does not help? Also is it worth checking the relay? Cheers

Click to expand...

Believe no relay as the air con pump is adjustable via a pwm signal that adjusts how hard the pump works, even when switched off it is not truly off off, it is not a click on/off system like those of old.
Any of the usual diag toools (IID Icarsoft) will tell you a/c temps/pressures etc

the real dirty and slighty dangerous way of checking the gas is to remove the refill point cap and give the valve centre a press ith a small screwdriver, wrap screwdriver in rag otherwise you will get a facefull! you want a good hard whoosh of gas/oil, litttle squeak/oil means no gas.

Hi

adding to what’s already been mentioned , when the pressure gets too low ur see a fault code

ref B1B78-84 (2F) , which will stop the ac from working

That’s amazing really grateful for the info. I was thinking about buying the icarsoft diagnostic but was not sure it would show air con. Lynall thanks you’ve saved me a lot. I think I will give the screwdriver method a miss. Cheers gstuart knowing the code is half the battle. Many thanks for the help both.

Had it tested and gas filled today. It’s enough to freeze you now. Let’s hope it lasts. Thank to you all I will remember the advise if more work is needed. Cheers

Stradreagh said:

That’s amazing really grateful for the info. I was thinking about buying the icarsoft diagnostic but was not sure it would show air con. Lynall thanks you’ve saved me a lot. I think I will give the screwdriver method a miss. Cheers gstuart knowing the code is half the battle. Many thanks for the help both.

Click to expand...

Icarsoft reads pretty much everything the iid tool does, ie all you will ever really need.
The only real differences between Icarsoft and the IID are the prices (300 quid) and the IID can programme.
Most people can afford 100 quid for the Icarsoft, but the 400 quid IID takes a bit more convincing.

Use the Icarsoft twice and it has paid for itself compared to garage code reading prices.
Plus they sell well as 2nd hand units.

Re the icarsoft, there two versions the larger and more expensive (£130) will analyse extra fault codes. The most important of these I think is the electronic parking brake. Do you think it’s worth buying the L322 scan tool or the cheaper i930 at £95?

Stradreagh said:

Re the icarsoft, there two versions the larger and more expensive (£130) will analyse extra fault codes. The most important of these I think is the electronic parking brake. Do you think it’s worth buying the L322 scan tool or the cheaper i930 at £95?

Click to expand...

I have no experience with the larger unit, I had the i930 and was very impressed with it, it read all the ecus and systems on my car, car is metropolis so has all the extras.
I am not sure if the icarsoft can do the epb brake shoe demount? I did my shoes not knowing the IID could do the demount bit, wish I had known beforehand as it was a right toss!
I know it can read injector values.

There are a few vids on youttube.

Thanks yes I have viewed the YouTube vids the larger version does offer more I think. I wondered if these units check glow plugs.

Have you had any dealings with the FBH on the discovery? Currently mine is non op in cold weather although it has once kicked in one morning showing the tell tale fumes n/s front wheel arch. I’ve looked at all the videos I can but have yet to tackle it. The cheapest option is to garage the vehicle in cold weather. By the way the engine is sweet as a nut and starts on the twist of a key. Like new under bonnet.

Stradreagh said:

Thanks yes I have viewed the YouTube vids the larger version does offer more I think. I wondered if these units check glow plugs.

Have you had any dealings with the FBH on the discovery? Currently mine is non op in cold weather although it has once kicked in one morning showing the tell tale fumes n/s front wheel arch. I’ve looked at all the videos I can but have yet to tackle it. The cheapest option is to garage the vehicle in cold weather. By the way the engine is sweet as a nut and starts on the twist of a key. Like new under bonnet.

Click to expand...

Apart from buying the i930 specifically to clear the fbh faults so the fbh would work, it has literally given me no bother in over 5 years.
I did add a BAS box to fire up the fbh remotely, but you had to be close to the car for the remote to work, so replcaed the BAS box with an oval Webasto timer.

My faults were due to low fuel, under (I think) 1/4 of a tank the fbh wont fire up to save fuel.

Stradreagh said:

Thanks yes I have viewed the YouTube vids the larger version does offer more I think. I wondered if these units check glow plugs.

Have you had any dealings with the FBH on the discovery? Currently mine is non op in cold weather although it has once kicked in one morning showing the tell tale fumes n/s front wheel arch. I’ve looked at all the videos I can but have yet to tackle it. The cheapest option is to garage the vehicle in cold weather. By the way the engine is sweet as a nut and starts on the twist of a key. Like new under bonnet.

Click to expand...

hiya

plus 1 , whats already been mentioned , here also a link ref the FBH

https://www.disco3.co.uk/wiki/Fuel_Burning_Heater

plus a diagnostics way of fault finding it , via a laptop

https://www.disco3.co.uk/shop/fbh-diagnostic-loom-lead-for-webasto-p66.html

hope that helps

lynall said:

Apart from buying the i930 specifically to clear the fbh faults so the fbh would work, it has literally given me no bother in over 5 years.
I did add a BAS box to fire up the fbh remotely, but you had to be close to the car for the remote to work, so replcaed the BAS box with an oval Webasto timer.

My faults were due to low fuel, under (I think) 1/4 of a tank the fbh wont fire up to save fuel.

Click to expand...

Indeed, also found out the hard way ,as soon as the low fuel level light comes on it stops the FBH

see u can also turn the fbh on via a mobile phone and with the SIM card I believe can then track the disco

Thanks both that’s extremely helpful. Does the i930 identify the FBH faults as it does not specify this in the specs? I did some time ago download the webasto software but have yet to purchase the cables. Mostly this was because I wanted to see if the icarsoft route was better. I’m really grateful for all the help I’m a real LR enthusiast and keep the vehicle right.

Stradreagh said:

Thanks both that’s extremely helpful. Does the i930 identify the FBH faults as it does not specify this in the specs? I did some time ago download the webasto software but have yet to purchase the cables. Mostly this was because I wanted to see if the icarsoft route was better. I’m really grateful for all the help I’m a real LR enthusiast and keep the vehicle right.

Click to expand...

I think the fbh comes under the heating/climate section.

Sadly I did not take more images when first using the i930

No problem many thanks for all your help. I will check out the sellers on eBay and ask them. Speak later.