freelander problems

hi guys, im new on the site and have just bought a freelander 1, TD4 2001 reg with 58k on the clock, it was previously a NHS doctor on call car,
is what i was wondering is, when i start the car up there are 3 warning lights that sometimes stay on, sometimes they dont but then sometimes they just come on whilst im driving, the lights are, traction controll, ABS, and the hill descent, does any one know why this is happening, and the othere thing is that when i go round a tightish corner in first gear it feels like the handbreak is on and i have to give it extra revs to stop it from stalling, is this just because its a 4Wd and its either on or nearly on full lock. and the last thing is about the hill descent, i tried to engage it the other day but there was no light on the dash to say it was on, nor was the switch on the gear leaver like a normal switch so i have no idea if it worked or not, but it didnt seen like it as i went down this hill rarther quick, any help or advise will be most appreciated.

also iv just noticed that when i change gear that there is a strange noise, (hard to explain this one) its like a thud noise, or when your towing a trailer and you slow down it seems to bang a bit as your breaking, its that kind of noise, but if i let the clutch peddle up really slow then it doesnt do it, but if i do it normaly then it does, and thoughts????????

cheers, Lee

Hi Lee,
Dealer or private, if dealer youve got a lemon, take it back and get em to sort it.
If private , then you'll have to sort yourself.
1) The dash lights, this is the infamous 3 Amigos! Just look up that on here. If lucky it will be as simple as the brake pedal proximity switch, cheap and easy to sort.
2) Braking effect, viscous coupling troubles! Search on here for VCU, Transmission issues etc. Sounds like it's getting tired if not actually already f****d. The banging noises sound VCU related, it may have already done damage to the IRD unit, search on here for IRD.
3) HDC will only work below 5mph, a green warning lamp on panel shows when it's selected. No lamp could be related to point 1, or wiring on switch on gearknob may be broken.
Loads of info on here for all your probs, just do a search or scroll thru other peeps posts.

burleyviking said:

and the othere thing is that when i go round a tightish corner in first gear it feels like the handbreak is on and i have to give it extra revs to stop it from stalling, is this just because its a 4Wd and its either on or nearly on full lock

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they all do it to a certain extent, try to find a gravel car park and lean out the drivers window to look at the rear wheel as you drive full right then left lock. if you see the rear wheel "skipping" then you may have a vcu issue. In reverse, not unknown for the engine to stall on full lock.

burleyviking said:

also iv just noticed that when i change gear that there is a strange noise, (hard to explain this one) its like a thud noise, or when your towing a trailer and you slow down it seems to bang a bit as your breaking, its that kind of noise, but if i let the clutch peddle up really slow then it doesnt do it, but if i do it normaly then it does, and thoughts????????

Click to expand...

sounds a bit like rear diff mount. if your handy with a spanner, this months LRO has an article on how to replace the 3 mounts, usually it's the front rear diff mount that wears and lets the diff bang on the underside of the vehicle

good luck

The switch on the gear lever - you hold it in and then slide the switch and gaiter down to engage

thanks for all the answers chaps, will have them all checked out as soon as i get chance, did sort my HDC out though, i just did what angeloc suggested, and there i was last week just pressing the switch like a fool thinking it was buggered.

cheers, lee