PippyDriver
New Member
- Posts
- 4
Hi, new forum member here.
I have a Freelander 1 3 door V6. Is basically new to me, was bought privately and has been a complete dog. It was bought to replace my last TD4 Freelander 3 door which had done over 200,000 miles but was starting to look a bit tired.
Latest snag: Autobox (Japanese five speed JATCO unit) has failed. Only answer anybody can give is "needs a new gearbox" which seems an easy answer that you wouldn't get with most other major units. If the engine wouldn't restart when hot for example or boiled over on initially starting the various symptoms would give an indication of what the fault was and how it might be fixed as opposed to "needs a new engine."
In this case, the gearbox failed on a run after about thirty miles. Showed alternating F and 4 on the dash display and the Hill Descent warning light came on. Power transmission was gradually lost until we came to a standstill. We were able to keep going for a little while by selecting 4th but then lost all drive. After standing a short while, drive was regained but only very briefly then lost again. Had to get the thing recovered home. It did then have drive at parking speeds forward and reverse but then lost it again.
When tried again a few days later, it would once again move at parking speeds. This wasn't pursued as a full test, just manouvering briefly in 1 and R.
Previous things that had gone wrong with the vehicle that may have been related:
I bough the vehicle (privately) with 51000 miles on the clock, 2001 model so 22 years old. Started and ran ok although it seemed a bit underpowered. Might just be that I expected more than it does. Very straight, no obvious problems, just a loud exhaust which I wanted changed.
Took it straight to my garage for them to service it and change exhaust for standard unit. This they did although they decided not to do the water pump whilst changing the timing belt (against my instructions).
After service, vehicle overheated (had been OK on the sixty mile drive to collect it). I took it back to them, they said head gasket fault. I said, check the thermostat. They replaced the thermostat, I got it back. It boiled over again. I took it back. (even when boiling, bottom hose was cold and temp gauge not showing hot.) I made them change the water pump.
They said it was still overheating and that head gaskets needed changing. I gave in and they changed the head gaskets. Got vehicle back, was unable to use it much for other reasons. Took stereo out in prep for replacement.
On a local run, rear brakes flicked on briefly and HDC and Traction Control warning lights came on. Took it to another garage (Land Rover independent specialists) who diagnosed faulty brake pedal switch, they changed it, lamp problem went away.
To get the remote central locking working I had to get the immobiliser unit out and sent off, this involved removing centre dash panels and gear lever console. (May have disturbed some wiring). All reassambled, new stereo fitted etc. All worked.
Went off on journey and gearbox fault developed as described above.
Possible history related faults:
Gearbox oil cooler caused gearbox to get overheated.
Wiring damaged whilst working behind centre console.
Traction control fault interfered with gearbox Electronic Control Unit.
Gearbox was removed during service work and oil pump damaged on reassembly. ( I can't see why the gearbox would have been split from engine for a service but this was suggested by a gearbox chap)
I'm maybe just being hopeful but I have a feeling that it is low on oil but unfortunately you can't check the oil level readily. My thinking is that this is why it will allow power transmission briefly when left to cool / settle. I may be very wrong. My experience with gearboxes is more rebuilding series 1 gearboxes.
That said, I'm sure that some diagnosis beyond "it's f cked" ought to be possible.
Logical fault finding suggestions please folks.
Cheers,
PD.
I have a Freelander 1 3 door V6. Is basically new to me, was bought privately and has been a complete dog. It was bought to replace my last TD4 Freelander 3 door which had done over 200,000 miles but was starting to look a bit tired.
Latest snag: Autobox (Japanese five speed JATCO unit) has failed. Only answer anybody can give is "needs a new gearbox" which seems an easy answer that you wouldn't get with most other major units. If the engine wouldn't restart when hot for example or boiled over on initially starting the various symptoms would give an indication of what the fault was and how it might be fixed as opposed to "needs a new engine."
In this case, the gearbox failed on a run after about thirty miles. Showed alternating F and 4 on the dash display and the Hill Descent warning light came on. Power transmission was gradually lost until we came to a standstill. We were able to keep going for a little while by selecting 4th but then lost all drive. After standing a short while, drive was regained but only very briefly then lost again. Had to get the thing recovered home. It did then have drive at parking speeds forward and reverse but then lost it again.
When tried again a few days later, it would once again move at parking speeds. This wasn't pursued as a full test, just manouvering briefly in 1 and R.
Previous things that had gone wrong with the vehicle that may have been related:
I bough the vehicle (privately) with 51000 miles on the clock, 2001 model so 22 years old. Started and ran ok although it seemed a bit underpowered. Might just be that I expected more than it does. Very straight, no obvious problems, just a loud exhaust which I wanted changed.
Took it straight to my garage for them to service it and change exhaust for standard unit. This they did although they decided not to do the water pump whilst changing the timing belt (against my instructions).
After service, vehicle overheated (had been OK on the sixty mile drive to collect it). I took it back to them, they said head gasket fault. I said, check the thermostat. They replaced the thermostat, I got it back. It boiled over again. I took it back. (even when boiling, bottom hose was cold and temp gauge not showing hot.) I made them change the water pump.
They said it was still overheating and that head gaskets needed changing. I gave in and they changed the head gaskets. Got vehicle back, was unable to use it much for other reasons. Took stereo out in prep for replacement.
On a local run, rear brakes flicked on briefly and HDC and Traction Control warning lights came on. Took it to another garage (Land Rover independent specialists) who diagnosed faulty brake pedal switch, they changed it, lamp problem went away.
To get the remote central locking working I had to get the immobiliser unit out and sent off, this involved removing centre dash panels and gear lever console. (May have disturbed some wiring). All reassambled, new stereo fitted etc. All worked.
Went off on journey and gearbox fault developed as described above.
Possible history related faults:
Gearbox oil cooler caused gearbox to get overheated.
Wiring damaged whilst working behind centre console.
Traction control fault interfered with gearbox Electronic Control Unit.
Gearbox was removed during service work and oil pump damaged on reassembly. ( I can't see why the gearbox would have been split from engine for a service but this was suggested by a gearbox chap)
I'm maybe just being hopeful but I have a feeling that it is low on oil but unfortunately you can't check the oil level readily. My thinking is that this is why it will allow power transmission briefly when left to cool / settle. I may be very wrong. My experience with gearboxes is more rebuilding series 1 gearboxes.
That said, I'm sure that some diagnosis beyond "it's f cked" ought to be possible.
Logical fault finding suggestions please folks.
Cheers,
PD.
