Reviving a freelander

Bought 2003 Freelander 2018,
From Arizona Very dry area in South West USA
Overall great shape inside and out.
Sat for some time, Time unknown.
When bought, June 2018; 85K miles
1.When I got it, Low Charge on Battery; Windows worked poorly.
Charged battery; windows work great.
2. Will not go into reverse.
3. Radio works inconstantly/Volume control erratic.
4. No Dash WARNING LIGHTS after start up.
5. Bad brakes.
6. No Air Conditioning.
7.When I drive it, it starts getting slower where it doesn't want to go if so very slowly.
8. Inspected: ECU connections, some corrosion, cleaned, reconnected, No difference. (Questions/finding; some connections within ECU compartment had blue tape on unions of common colored wires.) is this common or evidence of previous work done?

Had non Land Rover tech check out, 18 hours. Replace 1 Fuel injector. Thought faulty ECU.
Didn't want to learn Land Rover Tech issues, without me paying for his education.
Have Snap-on Diagnostics; purchase Keys; K- 25, K-44, K-45.
When Connecting to OBD, returns: "Can Not Communicate with ECU".

Have read Forms, found many thoughts and options. Many issues address total system communication, many potential factors and conditions limiting/affecting that communication.

Need a focus where to start. 1st step, 2nd step,...…..
jimsr

Any generic OBD2 reader will read the engine ECU, assuming it's a NAS KV6.
It's not uncommon for the OBD socket connections to spread, causing non connection issues. That's the place to start looking. The Freelander is a very simple vehicle by modern standards so only basic equipment is needed to repair it.

Corrosion on electrical connections, in Arizona? Taped over terminals? Sounds suspiciously like the car has been drowned at some time. Could it be a hurricane victim moved west? It would soon dry out in Arizona, but some damage would be expected.

The blue taped joints are factory header joints (unless photos prove otherwise) especially in the under bonnet ECU box.

Which mode you trying to comms with the using the snap on?

Have you tested the VCU?

Madmustang said:

Have you tested the VCU?

Click to expand...

Thanks MADMUSTANG for the response but what is the VCU and where is it located?

td4van said:

The blue taped joints are factory header joints (unless photos prove otherwise) especially in the under bonnet ECU box.

Which mode you trying to comms with the using the snap on?

Click to expand...

K45,K23,k44

jimsr said:

Thanks MADMUSTANG for the response but what is the VCU and where is it located?

Click to expand...

I'm afraid mate that if you don't know what a VCU is, then its doubtful whether you should be trying to maintain your Freelander.

It is the starting point of knowing how your car works. You need to read up on it - it won't take you long to find out how it, and the transmission in general on Freelander works. Just Google it. There is no center diff on Freelander - so it is not permanent 4WD - but its not switchable 2 to 4WD either. It is essentially a front wheel drive design with a direct geared PTO (power take off) from the front diff (IRD) that drives a prop shaft to the back axle - essentially locked in 4WD. As that would destroy the transmission before the car got to the dealer's forecourt, the prop shaft is split in 2 and there is a Viscous Coupling Unit (VCU) separating them. It enables slippage between the front and rear axles but will still transfer a level of torque to the back axle that will 'lock up' should the amount of slippage be greater than expected in normal driving conditions - ie the (front) wheels have lost grip and are spinning.

This may or may not be anything to do with your car's problems - but it is important for you to know if you are maintaining a Freelander. Problems with mismatched tyres mean that axles turn at differing rates than is 'expected' - so the axles lock up - the VCU will become 'to tight' over time also meaning the axles lock up. In any 4WD that spells disaster for the vehicle.

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/

check if you have propshafts fitted.
No reverse gear could be due to incorrect gearbox oil change.
what engine do you have? KV6?
what warning lights are are on with ignition and go out after engine starts.?