What the F is going on?

Hi All,

I bought my first Freelander back in April this year. It is a 2003 1.8 Serengeti 5dr with FSH and done 23k.

Until now it has had no problems, then 2 weeks ago, a few strange faults started appearing.

When the horn was pressed on the steering wheel the fuse blew, no problem change the fuse. Horn worked ok. Then the HDC amber warning light appeared intermittently and when I pressed the horn with this light on the fuse for the horn blew?

Now as well as the above I have a squeak from the rear pasenger side wheel, but stops when the brake is pressed. Only problem is when I press the brake pedal the HDC warning light comes on.

These problems can be all at once or nothing for a few days.

The most recent problem is when starting, the engine revs to 2000rpm and idles at this speed for a good few minutes before dropping.
This again only happens probably once a week.

Any ideas if these faults are linked ?

Welcome, if you have a look at the recent threads, all of these points have been dealt with in the last couple of weeks, the HDC one only a few days ago.

Condor said:

Hi All,

I bought my first Freelander back in April this year. It is a 2003 1.8 Serengeti 5dr with FSH and done 23k.

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Hi Condor, ya horn is kaput or intermittant fault on that circuit, and gremlin lectrics law states that yer hdc light is another fault and being a mere earthling ya thought one was connected ta tother ,follow recent threads for hdc fault ,check and see what other circuits are on the horn,or disconect ya horn and see if the fuse blows again,oh and check ya rear brakes might be dust build up ya can check ya shoes at the same time,and best oh luck. . . .

Thanks, I have read a few of the seperate threads and all I can see is £ signs popping up.

Another fault is a vibration through the steering wheel at over 60mph, had all 4 wheels balanced & switched round, the tracking done and tyre pressures are ok.
Looks like more money as the guy doing the balancing and tracking mentioned something about a viscous coupling or something?

Having had the vehicle for just over 3 months I think it is time to go out over the weekend and trade it in. Not really bothered if I make a loss on it, it can't be worse that the constant worrying about what will go next. I need a reliable vehicle and a Freelander is just taking the p***.

How landrover get away with producing a vehicle with so many inherant and recurring faults is beyond me.

It will be my first Freelander and my last.

Chill out mate its a lr we are tring ta help ya out,shouldnt join if ya cant take a joke, . . .

Sorry for being so abrupt, but after spending £10k, I fail to find the funny side about having to spend out more after just 3 months.

Plus the added stress of waiting for, as some threads suggest, the 100% guarenteed failure rate of other components on the vehicle.

The fault with the horn only occurs when the HDC amber light is on. If it is off I can press the horn all day and the horn is fine. So I am stumped at what the fault is.

It just seems strange that the vehicle has developed more that 4 seperate faults in 2 weeks and the list seems to be growing daily.

ok, so check the search hdc ,think it was a simple wiring issue by the gearbox or summit,and its possible on the same circuit as yer horn ,or you could have a poor earth connection,the issues with the hg ect on sites like this you hear all the sobs that is mainly due ta people coming for help and guidence ,but a lot run the 1,8's with no problems at all ,so best oh luck. . . .

Condor said:

Thanks, I have read a few of the seperate threads and all I can see is £ signs popping up.

Another fault is a vibration through the steering wheel at over 60mph, had all 4 wheels balanced & switched round, the tracking done and tyre pressures are ok.
Looks like more money as the guy doing the balancing and tracking mentioned something about a viscous coupling or something?

Having had the vehicle for just over 3 months I think it is time to go out over the weekend and trade it in. Not really bothered if I make a loss on it, it can't be worse that the constant worrying about what will go next. I need a reliable vehicle and a Freelander is just taking the p***.

How landrover get away with producing a vehicle with so many inherant and recurring faults is beyond me.

It will be my first Freelander and my last.

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Aaaaah! a "Condor" moment! (shows how old i am!)
Your thread was music to my ears ! I thought I woz becoming paranoic - but it looks like they ARE all out to get me (Mondo/Ming/Tiny and Clutchdust take note ) There are some good "Hippos" out there - but you only hear about the cr** ones on the forum - when they goin good - no-one posts much , but YES - you so much as look at a "Freebie" and it costs £200 plus . Its no consolation - but have a look on the Rover/Vauxhall/Ford sites - they be full of problem cars - the diff is - your car is costing YOU money! Goood luck I hope it works out for ya.

Sound like you could have a shagged wheel sensor/cable,whick could be on the same side as yer squeeky rear wheel???? dont know cos I'm sat here.
Its probly the worst thing you can do is join a forum if yer not prepared to go and get stuck in yerself,cos like ming says your only going to hear/read all the problems that crop up,
So the only thing anyone on here can do is give suggestions/advice, some based on personal experience, others based on their best mates dads uncles girlfreinds sisters car did that did the same thing, only different! theres no way your going to find out what causing your spefic problem without
1) Search for previous similar problems. (£££ free)
2) take things to bits and have a look.(£££ free)
3) take it to the dealers to go on testbook and have it diagnosed .(£££55??ish)
cheer up mate.
Most folks will help where they can

SEE Condor!

Mad hat chap sound loads happier than when he first posted on here

would some one me which cars don't breakdown, which cars are 100% reliable which cars can be fixed fur **** all, because i want one

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slob said:

would some one me which cars don't breakdown, which cars are 100% reliable which cars can be fixed fur **** all, because i want one

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none - but have yu seen my threads? - we all expect the occasional problem - but not catastrophic breakdown of just about everything! - Ok so there are some dogs out there - just my luck I got one!

ps - yu the lucky one - yu aint got a hippo.

pps - if thats yo body - wot yu doin chattin on a forum - dont think I wud have time D )

slob said:

would some one me which cars don't breakdown, which cars are 100% reliable which cars can be fixed fur **** all, because i want one

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Corgi do a range of cars that'll last yer years if ya looks after 'em

mondo said:

SEE Condor!

Mad hat chap sound loads happier than when he first posted on here

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No - i just been beaten into submission - anyone wanna v6 freebie - £4K spent on it in last 6 months!

slob said:

would some one me which cars don't breakdown, which cars are 100% reliable which cars can be fixed fur **** all, because i want one

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coooo! - he does get a bit irrate - don' he - Rave on!

??????????

slob said:

??????????

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Er, he'll need ya help soon Slob. . ...

don't call me slob its popeye now !!ok?

Oh yer do look butch in a suit, popeye