Land Rover1990–1991

Discovery 3.5: Common faults & known problems

Common faults & known problems

5 known faults documented in workshop bulletins. Of these, two concern the body and trim and one the engine and fuel system. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Engine & fuel system

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Poor throttle response

Affects Discovery with cruise control.Fit modified part

Cause

Accelerator cable adjuster lost or slipping.

Repair

  1. Fit modified accelerator cable assembly.
Parts4 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Cable - Range Rover RHDSSB1040401
Cable - Range Rover LHDSSB1040501
Cable - Discovery RHDSSB1043001
Cable - Discovery LHDANR53271

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.

Brakes

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

ABS warning lamp illuminated

Overview

Affects
All models.

Cause

Excessive wear in front wheel bearings, causing wheel speed sensor to be moved out of its correct position.

Excessive wear in rear wheel bearings, causing wheel speed sensor to be moved out of its correct position.

Faulty ABS control module.

Repair steps

  1. Check front wheel bearings for excessive wear and replace if necessary.
  2. Adjust rear wheel bearings.
  3. Re-position wheel speed sensors, replace if necessary.
  4. Check ABS control module, replace if necessary.
  5. Access ABS control module fault memory and erase trouble codes.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.

Body & trim

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Excessive noise from rear seat backs whilst driving

Affects All models.

Cause

Excessive play between stops on seat frame.

Repair

  1. Fit anti-rattle washer kit.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Anti-rattle washer kitHTP 1000801

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.

Water ingress into spare wheel well

Tailgate seal leaking. Fix: fit a new part.

Overview

Affects
All models.
Remedy
Fit new part

Repair steps

  1. Remove and discard tailgate seal.
  2. Apply sealant to tailgate flange.
  3. Fit new tailgate seal.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.

Other

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Alloy wheels difficult to remove

Overview

Affects
All models with alloy wheels, →03/01.
Remedy
Clean & lubricate
Parts
1 part

Cause

Corrosion between hub spigot and wheel centre.

Repair

  1. Clean corrosion from wheel contact surfaces.
  2. Apply anti-seize grease to wheel contact surfaces.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Anti-seize greaseRYL105020L1

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.

Glossary

Technical terms used in this guide.

ABS
Anti-lock braking system — stops the wheels locking under hard braking
Trouble Codes
Standardised fault codes stored by the engine control module, read with a diagnostic tool
Anti-Seize
Grease that stops mating parts (like a wheel on a hub) from corroding together
Control Module
A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
Fault Memory
The list of stored trouble codes in a control module
Hub Spigot
The raised centre of the hub that locates the wheel
Wheel Speed Sensor
A sensor at each wheel used by ABS and stability control

Frequently asked questions

What are the common faults with the Land Rover Discovery 3.5?

This guide contains five workshop bulletins for the Land Rover Discovery 3.5. Of these, two concern the body and trim and one the engine and fuel system. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Does every Land Rover Discovery 3.5 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 3.5 faults myself?

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

Related guides

Glossary term

See in the glossary →