9 documented faults
Engine & fuel system
3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Poor throttle response.
Discovery with cruise control.
Accelerator cable adjuster lost or slipping.
Workshop instructions & parts4 parts
Workshop procedure
- Fit modified accelerator cable assembly.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Cable - Range Rover RHD | SSB104040 | 1 |
| Cable - Range Rover LHD | SSB104050 | 1 |
| Cable - Discovery RHD | SSB104300 | 1 |
| Cable - Discovery LHD | ANR5327 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.
Engine misfire.
All models.
What you'd notice
Engine stalls.
The repair
Poor contact between two halves of data link connector (DLC).
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Inspect DLC terminals.
- Adjust female pins to original shape.
- Connect and disconnect plug 3 or 4 times.
- Clean terminals with electrical contact spray.
- Reconnect DLC.
- Lock the two halves of the DLC with a cable tie Fig.101928 .
- View View more information
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.
Poor starting.
Discovery: All models with V8/300Tdi engines.
What you'd notice
Alternator warning lamp on. Delayed tachometer operation. Erratic ignition.
The repair
Poor connections inside the engine bay fuse box.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Remove engine bay fuse box inner and outer cover.
- Check battery positive lead screw and alternator output lead screw Fig.101966.1 for tightness.
- Refit fuse box covers.
- View View more information
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.
Electrical & ignition
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Water/dirt ingress into crash sensor harness multi-plugs.
When the SRS sensor wiring connector disconnected water/dirt seal may become dislodged or lost.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Ensure seal is fitted in the wiring harness multi-plug.
- Ensure points Fig.101980.1 are aligned.
- View View more information
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.
Brakes
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
ABS warning lamp illuminated.
All models.
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.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Check front wheel bearings for excessive wear and replace if necessary.
- Adjust rear wheel bearings.
- Re-position wheel speed sensors, replace if necessary.
- Check ABS control module, replace if necessary.
- Access ABS control module fault memory and erase trouble codes.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.
Body & trim
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Excessive noise from rear seat backs whilst driving.
All models.
Excessive play between stops on seat frame.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Fit anti-rattle washer kit.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-rattle washer kit | HTP 100080 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.
Water ingress into spare wheel well.
All models.
Tailgate seal leaking.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Remove and discard tailgate seal.
- Apply sealant to tailgate flange.
- Fit new tailgate seal.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.
Other
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Alloy wheels difficult to remove.
All models with alloy wheels, →03/01.
Corrosion between hub spigot and wheel centre.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Clean corrosion from wheel contact surfaces.
- Apply anti-seize grease to wheel contact surfaces.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-seize grease | RYL105020L | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.
Unreliable spark plug operation.
All models.
What you'd notice
Short spark plug service life.
The repair
Poor reliability of spark plugs.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Fit RN11YCC spark plugs.
- Replace spark plugs at 40.000 kilometre service intervals.
- Replace spark plugs at 24.000 mile service intervals.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Spark plug - RN11YCC | ERR 3799 | 8 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.
Take it with you
Before you view one
Land Rover Discovery 3.9 (1994–1998)
Each documented fault as a quick check for a viewing or test drive — tick them off as you go.
A little workshop vocabulary
Workshop terms used on this page
Definitions for the technical language used in these bulletins.
- VIN
- Vehicle identification number — 17 characters, found at the base of the windscreen and on the V5C logbook
- ABS
- Anti-lock braking system — stops the wheels locking under hard braking
- Trouble Codes
- Standardised fault codes stored by the engine computer, read with a diagnostic tool
- DLC
- Data link connector — the diagnostic socket a scan tool plugs into
- SRS
- Supplementary restraint system — the airbags and seat-belt pretensioners
- Anti-Seize
- Grease that stops mating parts (like a wheel on a hub) from corroding together
- Control Module
- A computer that runs one of the car'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
- Multi-Plug
- A multi-pin electrical connector on a wiring harness
- Wheel Speed Sensor
- A sensor at each wheel used by ABS and stability control
- Wiring Harness
- The bundled cables that carry power and signals around the vehicle
- Alternator
- The unit that charges the battery while the engine is running
Common questions
Using this guide.
What are the common faults with the Land Rover Discovery 3.9?
Garages and workshops regularly encounter nine documented faults on the Land Rover Discovery 3.9 — three concern the engine and fuel system and two the body and trim. Each fault above lists the symptoms, cause, fix and any parts needed.
Does every Land Rover Discovery 3.9 have these faults?
No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual car. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.
Can I check for Land Rover Discovery 3.9 faults when viewing one?
Many of them, yes — the documented symptoms are things you can see, hear or feel on a viewing or test drive. The 'Before you view one' checklist above turns each documented fault into a quick check you can tick off as you go.