Land Rover2004–2009

Discovery 3 4.0: Common faults & known problems

Common faults & known problems

18 known faults documented in workshop bulletins. Of these, three concern the engine and fuel system and three the brakes. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Updated Technical specifications

Engine & fuel system

3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Knocking noise from front seats during stop/start driving

Affects Discovery 3: VIN A474327-9A507830.Fit modified part

Cause

Rubber damper incorporated in front seat runner inadequate.

Repair

  1. Fit modified seat runner.
Parts2 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Front seat runner - without seat position memoryLR0120401
Front seat runner - with seat position memoryLR0120411

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.

Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated

Affects Discovery 3: Engine codes 406PN/448PN, VIN LA5A000360-LA7A442164.P0170P0173P2097P2099P0461Software update

Symptoms

Trouble codes stored: P0170, P0173, P2097, P2099, P0461.

Cause

Engine control module (ECM) software fault.

Repair

  1. Re-program engine control module (ECM) with upgraded software.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.

Rear differential pinion oil seal leaking

Affects Discovery 3: VIN 5A000303→.Fit new part

Cause

Excessive wear between rear differential pinion and pinion seal.

Repair

  1. Fit new rear differential pinion oil seal. Position pinion seal further into differential housing to avoid worn pinion shaft surface.
Parts4 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Rear differential pinion oil sealTZB5001001
Rear propeller shaft boltsTYG5001304
Differential oil (without differential lock)TYK5000101
Differential oil (with differential lock)TYK5000701

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 11.

Electrical & ignition

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Battery discharged

Overview

Affects
Discovery 3: VIN 8A442165→.
Remedy
Software update

Cause

Instrument panel does not switch to sleep mode due to software fault.

Repair

  1. Re-program instrument panel with upgraded software.
  2. Charge battery if necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.

Brakes

3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Squeal from rear brakes when braking lightly

Vibration between brake pads and discs. Fix: fit a modified part.

Overview

Affects
Discovery 3: VIN 000303-507637.
Remedy
Fit modified part

Repair steps

  1. Remove rear brake pads.
  2. Clean and lubricate rear brake caliper carrier.
  3. Fit modified rear brake pads.

Parts

Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Rear brake padsLR0168081

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.

Excessive heat build up in rear brakes

Overview

Affects
All models with electric parking brake (EPB): Discovery 3: VIN 5A000259→. Discovery 4: VIN AA513326→. Range Rover Sport: VIN 5A900106→.
Remedy
Software update

Symptoms

Electric parking brake (EPB) warning lamp illuminated. Squeal from rear brakes when driving. Squeal from rear brakes when electric parking brake (EPB) is operated. Trouble codes stored: C1A43, C1A53, C1A46.

Cause

Parking brake shoes binding.

Parking brake shoes seizing due to build up of debris.

EPB control module software fault.

Repair steps

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. Ensure parking brake shoes are correctly adjusted.
  3. If no fault(s) found: Re-program EPB control module with upgraded software.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 15.

Electric parking brake (EPB) not working

Affects All models with electric parking brake (EPB).U2002Fit new part

Symptoms

Trouble code stored: U2002.

Cause

Electric parking brake (EPB) switch faulty.

Repair

  1. Fit new electric parking brake (EPB) switch.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 18.

Suspension & drivetrain

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Knocking noise from front/rear suspension

Anti-roll bar bushes move in 'D' brackets. Fix: adjust and tighten.

Overview

Affects
Discovery 3 (04-), 2004-09: VIN 000303→.
Remedy
Adjust & tighten

Repair steps

  1. Loosen bolts of anti-roll bar bush mountings.
  2. Fit wedges to anti-roll bar bush mountings.
  3. Tighten bolts of front anti-roll bar bush mountings to 62 Nm.
  4. Tighten bolts of rear anti-roll bar bush mountings to 115 Nm.

Parts

Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Wedge kitLR124101

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.

When vehicle parked on level surface ride height appears uneven

Overview

Affects
All models with air suspension or active cornering enhancement (ACE).
Remedy
Software update

Cause

Suspension level adjustment not carried out when vehicle parked due to suspension control module software fault.

Repair

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Re-program suspension control module with upgraded software.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 17.

Steering

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Squeaking noise from steering column when steering wheel turned

Insufficient lubrication of power steering rack pinion oil seal. Fix: fit a new part.

Overview

Affects
All models, VIN 000259-485435.
Remedy
Fit new part

Repair steps

  1. Remove power steering rack.
  2. Fit new power steering rack pinion oil seal. Use special tool: 308-518.
  3. Refit power steering rack.

Parts

Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Power steering rack pinion oil seal kitLR0105451

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 10.

Knocking noise from front of vehicle over uneven surfaces

Affects Discovery 3, VIN 000303-444606.

Cause

Excessive free play in steering mechanism.

Repair

  1. Check for excessive free play in steering column. Replace component(s) as necessary.
Parts5 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Steering column upper intermediate shaftQLB5000701
Steering column upper intermediate shaft boltQYG10016L1
Steering column lower intermediate shaft boltQYG5001001
Steering column lower intermediate shaft - RHDQMN5002401
Steering column lower intermediate shaft - LHDQMN5002501

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 14.

Clutch & gearbox

3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Message centre displays 'Transmission Fault Stop Safely'

Overview

Affects
Discovery 3: VIN LA5A000360-LA9A513325.
Fault codes
P0806
Remedy
Fit new part
Parts
2 parts

Symptoms

Possible trouble codes stored: P080A, P0806, P186D (rear differential lock actuator stuck).

Cause

Rear differential lock actuator stuck.

Rear differential lock control module software fault.

Repair

  1. Fit new rear differential lock actuator.
  2. Re-program rear differential lock control module with upgraded software.
Parts2 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Rear differential lock actuatorLR011036Discovery 3/Range Rover Sport
Rear differential lock actuatorTVK500350Range Rover

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.

Oil leak from transmission

Affects All models with 6HP transmission code: Discovery 3, VIN 5A000303→. Range Rover, VIN 6A198058→. Range Rover Sport, VIN 5A900109→.Fit new part

Cause

Transmission input shaft oil seal faulty.

Repair

  1. Fit new transmission input shaft oil seal.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Transmission input shaft oil sealTZB5000301

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 12.

Poor gear shifting when down-shifting between 2nd-1st ranges

Overview

Affects
All models with automatic transmission: Discovery 3, VIN 5A000360-6A402253. Range Rover, VIN 6A198058-7A263534. Range Rover Sport, VIN 5A900302-7A119896.
Remedy
Software update

Cause

Transmission control module (TCM) software fault.

Repair

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Re-program TCM with upgraded software.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 13.

Body & trim

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Reverse dipping door mirror not working correctly

Overview

Affects
All models with reverse dipping door mirror: Discovery 3: VIN 5A300394-7A427985. Range Rover Sport: VIN 5A900505-7A999465.
Remedy
Fit new part
Parts
1 part

Cause

Driver's seat adjustment control module faulty.

Repair

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Fit new seat adjustment control module.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Seat adjustment control moduleYWC5008001

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 16.

Wipers & visibility

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Water leak at front of vehicle

Affects All models, VIN →6A408013.Fit modified part

Symptoms

Failure of windscreen and headlamp washers.

Cause

Poor manufacture of windscreen washer reservoir resulting in washer fluid leaking at weak reservoir seam.

Repair

  1. Fit modified windscreen washer reservoir.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.

Erratic front wiper operation

Front wiper arm loose, allowing wiper spindle to rotate without moving wiper arm. Fix: adjust and tighten.

Overview

Affects
Discovery 3 (04-), 2004-09: VIN 300394→.
Remedy
Adjust & tighten

Symptoms

Front wipers not working.

Repair steps

  1. Remove wiper arm nut protective cover and remove nut.
  2. If wiper arm has come loose from spindle inspect affected components for damage. Replace components as necessary.
  3. Ensure wiper motor is in park position.
  4. Fit front wiper arm. Tighten wiper arm nut as follows:.
  5. Freelander (97-06): 18 Nm.
  6. Freelander 2 (06-): 25 Nm.
  7. 90/110/130/Defender: 17 Nm.
  8. Discovery 3 (04-): 18 Nm.
  9. Range Rover (02-): 18 Nm.
  10. Range Rover Sport: 34 Nm.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.

Other

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Intermittent operation of parking aid control

Affects All models with parking aid control module, VIN 5A000259-5A346777.

Cause

Input signal missing to activate parking aid control.

Repair

  1. Replace parking aid control module.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.

Glossary

Technical terms used in this guide.

ECM
Engine control module — the electronic unit that manages the engine
VIN
Vehicle identification number — 17 characters, found at the base of the windscreen and on the V5C logbook
Nm
Newton-metres — the standard unit for how tightly a bolt is done up
Trouble Codes
Standardised fault codes stored by the engine control module, read with a diagnostic tool
ACE
Active Cornering Enhancement — a hydraulic anti-roll system that stiffens the suspension in corners
EPB
Electric parking brake — an electronic handbrake, operated by a switch rather than a lever
TCM
Transmission control module — the electronic unit that manages the gearbox
Actuator
A motor or solenoid that moves a mechanical part on command
Air Suspension
A system that uses air springs instead of steel coils, so ride height can be raised or lowered
Anti-Roll Bar
A bar that links the left and right suspension to cut body roll in corners
Caliper
The part that squeezes the brake pads onto the disc
Control Module
A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
Instrument Panel
The dashboard display that shows warning lights and messages
Parking Aid
The reversing/parking sensors and their control module
Pinion Oil Seal
The seal on a differential pinion shaft — a common source of oil leaks
Rear Differential Lock
A locker that forces both rear wheels to turn together for extra traction
Re-Program
Update the software on a control module using the manufacturer's diagnostic tool
Trouble Code
A standardised fault code stored by a control module, read with a diagnostic tool
Bush
A rubber mounting that lets a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
Bushes
Rubber mountings that let a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
Oil Seal
A rubber seal that keeps oil in and dirt out, typically around a rotating shaft
Sleep Mode
The low-power state control modules enter when the car is parked; if one stays awake the battery can go flat

Frequently asked questions

What are the common faults with the Land Rover Discovery 3 4.0?

This guide contains 18 workshop bulletins for the Land Rover Discovery 3 4.0. Of these, three concern the engine and fuel system and three the brakes. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Does every Land Rover Discovery 3 4.0 have these faults?

No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual vehicle. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.

Can I check for Land Rover Discovery 3 4.0 faults myself?

Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.

Related guides

Glossary term

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