Viscous coupling gone

Well thats the freelander back in the garage lol this time she was clunking into gear then she started to drive in HD mode with the dash flashing 4 and F . Took her staright to the mechanic who said the vcu needs replaced . I was expecting this sometime as its one of the "common" faults .Typically it happened at the end of the week and FL sits in the garage over another weekend and unfortunately i am still building the motorbike back up then its due MOT TAX etc etc so am stuck to the old push bike or walkin . Anyway the garage has ordered a reconditioned VCU unit should hopefully be in and fitted by end of next week .

Drew

is it an auto?

aye it is auto m8 why??

Gear box fault, maybe solenoids. Nothing to do with VCU.....

feck dont say that its more expensive innit ???
could it be fluid or summat else??

cheers Drew

F and 4 flashing is the gearbox default mode. There will be fault codes in logged in the memory which will help trace the fault by giving an indication of which part or circuit isn't functioning correctly. Some people have been lucky and a fluid change has helped, others have found an external electrical fault. Worst case though is that access into the box is required to renew one or more duty solenoids.

Best way forward is to check gearbox multiplug connection for any issues and if necessary a code read.

so i should be requesting the mechanic to plug it into his fault reading pooter??
Thanks for advice m8

Drew

Yes but it concerns me that he doesn't already know that he should be doing that.....

Maybe you should get it from there and do a few checks yourself or take it to an auto specialist?

Yeah but i do trust him being a local and in the good garage scheme thing , he's a local lad and biker too and freind of a friend who loves his nice flash bmw's (x5 at mo) .
Will call and request fault read on monday hopefull strikes out the vcu and will be fluids or sensors .
I aint daft but not totally mechanically minded but would it be the engine oil that needs changed with it clunking into gears ?? i know it needs changin soon anyway

Thanks

Drew

Engine and Gearbox oil totally different shouldn't be any engine oil in gearbox. if i'm wrong someone will say

rossitigerr said:

aye it is auto m8 why??

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I asked if it was an auto, as I was thinking the same as what others replied with. Clunking into gear is an auto problem. You’ll need to read the fault codes from the auto’s computer, via the main computer. As said could be a solenoid or sensor in the auto. Could be low auto fluid oil. Auto oil is separate to engine oil. To check the auto oil level is correct, there’s a specific procedure to follow. Correct temp etc. There’s big thread on here about it. Effectively warm the car from cold, to 35 – 45 degrees, then undo the level check HOLE which is UNDER the auto. This has a verticle pipe above the hole. When auto oil is at the correct level, a dribble of oil will flow out when you put more oil in. This is all done with the engine running on tick over. Often peeps think the level plug is on the rear of the Jatco auto (what you have in a Freelander 1) this is not the case. Remove this, and you’ll loose reverse gear. Will have to take auto apart to solve. Use the correct auto oil too – LRN402 from Land Rover. About £11 per L. sometimes a replacement of auto oil does miracles in the auto’s.

If your mechanic thinks it’s your vcu at fault, bearing in mind the F4 on the dash, then remove the car from him or he’ll **** you about. He dun’t know what he’s doing. Many a peep on here has been caught by ****wits that don’t know these auto’s, and string them along. Dan is still having trouble with his.

F4 – check the multiplug barrel connector things as below. These sit above the auto. There’s 2 of them. Make sure they’re connected firmly. Also look for damage on the wire looms to and from them.


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I'll be callin tomoro get him to link it up the fault reader n go from there . Thanks for advice folks it is muchly apreciated.

Drew

Got FL back with autobox fluids changed and a solenoid . VCU will eventually need done as told by mechanic.

rossitigerr said:

VCU will eventually need done as told by mechanic.

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Tbh the same can be said for most, if not all mechanical parts!

I am best described as a novice DIY mechanic and even I thought "hmm, that doesn't sound like a VCU problem" before even reading any of the replies. Perhaps you had given him different information, to lead him to assume that the VCU is at fault. People often go into a lot more detail when writing compared to actually speaking. If you have doubts as to whether or not he knows what he's doing, then I'd suggest taking it elsewhere unless you're getting it done at mates rates or something. Most of the honest/decent garages in my town won't even touch my Freelander.

RichM said:

Most of the honest/decent garages in my town won't even touch my Freelander.

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I have noticed that when I had my Freelander It's agood job one of my mates is a mechanic otherwise i would have been stuck,