Disco 4 (LR4) Disco4 fault strange messages

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621838

Member
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Location
Stroud
Strange fault messages 2009 Discovery 4
I have predominantly had the following message 'only normal height available', however once the message is cleared the height works fine. I have also recently had 'steering column locked' even though it steers fine and 'gearbox fault' while it drives OK.
Seems like none of these messages are actually real faults but nonetheless annoying.
Has anybody experienced the same or similar and has anybody got an idea what is at fault?
Rick
 
How old is the battery?

A fudged battery will make the car develop Phantom faults.

They're very battery sensitive.
 
The battery has got Land Rover stickers all over it which would suggest it is the original 2009 battery, however it looks brand new.
Earlier today, suspecting the battery, I took it to my friendly autoparts and they tested it with their 2 pronged tester and it was in the green and holding charge. It also throws the engine over without a problem.
Do you think it's worth replacing it in order to eliminate it?
Rick
 
If it is original then yeah..

However if it was load tested and showed ok then ehh..

I'd fully charge it on a trickle for 24hrs and see if that helps the situation..

Does she drive many short distance trips?
 
Henry_b said:
If it is original then yeah..

However if it was load tested and showed ok then ehh..

I'd fully charge it on a trickle for 24hrs and see if that helps the situation..

Does she drive many short distance trips?
Click to expand...
Yes quite a few, off down to Cornwall this weekend which can only do her good, but this is the first decent run since December.
 
621838 said:
Yes quite a few, off down to Cornwall this weekend which can only do her good, but this is the first decent run since December.
Click to expand...

Could be the mix of short runs that isn't allowing the battery to charge fully and is causing these Phantom faults..

A good run should do her good..

I'd still trickle charge it for 12-24hrs to make sure it's at peak capacity.
 
Henry_b said:
Could be the mix of short runs that isn't allowing the battery to charge fully and is causing these Phantom faults..

A good run should do her good..

I'd still trickle charge it for 12-24hrs to make sure it's at peak capacity.
Click to expand...
I'll follow your advice, trickle charge tomorrow night then run down to Cornwall and report back next week.
Many thanks
Rick
 
Battery or the battery, slightest weakness will start showing faults, the old battery will be just fine on a normal car and last for many years, but the D3/4 eat them and are only happy when its top notch.
I think the battery is operating at pretty much its limit and there is not much reserve capacity built in, even leaving the inetrior lights on for to long could mean a non start.

The Yuasa 019 from Halfords seem quite good, and with discount card are a sensible price.
Dont go with the Varta 017te that everyone recommends, as short trips will kill it in 18 months, sadly this I know first hand.

These are brilliant, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Auto-Car...309671&hash=item34067a240b:g:O3QAAOSwsixciUNe
 
Time for an update. Drove down to St.Ives, message is still 'normal height available only'. other messages seem to have disappeared. Used it for a couple of days short journeys. On the way back drove as far as Saltash with the same message displayed. Refilled in garage and drove the rest of the way home with no message. I was thinking this is proof of the battery being the problem. Bite the bullet and put on a new one. My local auto spares are friends of mine so there I went. Given the choice of a standard or high capacity and obviously chose the latter.
Still the same problem, could it be a faulty new battery.
Code reader states something like 'input voltage low to suspension'. If I clear the messaged with the OK button and then switch off ignition the message disappears and on re-starting the engine I can operate the suspension up, down and normal without any problems. Perhaps I do have a genuine problem and ought to take it to my local Land Rover Specialist.
Rick
 
Hi

Plus 1 what the other members have said , indeed system needs to be told the battery has been changed and BCM reset

What battery did u fit plse

With it being a 2009 I believe it’s not the stop start so doesn’t have the second AGM battery , might be wrong there though

Indeed get it onto a diagnostic machine , getting a proper tester onto the battery and testing the output of the alternator

The standard battery testers that show green or red are no good , need accurate Vdc measurements

At the end of the day is the alternator is suspect don’t fit cheap versions, should be replaced with Denso
 
Last edited:
lynall said:
Battery or the battery, slightest weakness will start showing faults, the old battery will be just fine on a normal car and last for many years, but the D3/4 eat them and are only happy when its top notch.
I think the battery is operating at pretty much its limit and there is not much reserve capacity built in, even leaving the inetrior lights on for to long could mean a non start.

The Yuasa 019 from Halfords seem quite good, and with discount card are a sensible price.
Dont go with the Varta 017te that everyone recommends, as short trips will kill it in 18 months, sadly this I know first hand.

These are brilliant, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Auto-Car...309671&hash=item34067a240b:g:O3QAAOSwsixciUNe
Click to expand...

Hiya

Is it just the stop start that needs the AGM battery Plse on the D4s

Think it was 2012 for 8 speed then 2014 for stop start ???
 
Last edited:
gstuart said:
Hiya

Is it just the stop start that needs the AGM battery Plse on the D4s

Think it was 2012 for 8 speed then 2014 for stop start ???
Click to expand...

Havent a clue on the battery

But thinkfrom 55 plate up to 2013/14 road tax is 540 quid, 2014 ish onwards with stop start the tax is something like 340 quid then 65 plate onwards with adblue its cheaper still.

I can see in the not to distant future non adblue motors being taxed harder and harder especially as they get older and the government realises they wont **** so many people off as the cars will effectively be bangers.
 
lynall said:
Havent a clue on the battery

But thinkfrom 55 plate up to 2013/14 road tax is 540 quid, 2014 ish onwards with stop start the tax is something like 340 quid then 65 plate onwards with adblue its cheaper still.

I can see in the not to distant future non adblue motors being taxed harder and harder especially as they get older and the government realises they wont **** so many people off as the cars will effectively be bangers.
Click to expand...

Hi mate

Many thks , Found it very confusing with the D4s, always thought the ones that have the small battery in the boot was for the stop start , reading up it’s for lighting / etc for when the engine is off

I think ur right there, possibly aftermarket kits being introduced for older diesels etc

One thing that concerns me with how much technology is being fitted and if we’re still be able to work on them ourselves , as I know i couldn’t affford to use a garage all the time
 
gstuart said:
indeed system needs to be told the battery has been changed and BCM reset
Click to expand...
Correct for the D4, but the D3 doesn't need a battery re-set.
gstuart said:
Is it just the stop start that needs the AGM battery Plse on the D4
Click to expand...
AGM is used on most vehicles with Stop-start systems. It costs more than a standard flooded lead acid battery, but gives about twice the life cycle, which is why they're used.
 
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