2003 discovery scammed

Blar

Member
Jul 17, 2019
14
0
Md
Just bought a 2003 discovery from a private seller without a Maryland inspection. I know not a wise choice. But I’m my defense I did take a mechanic to go over the vehicle before I shelled out the cash. Well I took it for inspection and it failed for a non working brake indicator light. I explored the instrument panel cluster and found black electrical tape behind the factory skin covering multiple lights. Abs tc hill decent brake and service engine soon. I have been reading your posts and I looks like the guy also tried the plan b bypass. Any one have any suggestions on how to make the lights go away? Especially the brake which is failing me for inspection purposes. Also I have already tested the hand bake switch with meter and it operates correctly and the float switch in the brake fluid lid. Only thing else I can see reading is the slabs unit. Anyone else have these issues and know a fix? Thanks
 

JUKE179r

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2016
761
95
Suffolkshire, UK
Did you notify the seller on what you found?
Did you check/change the brake light bulb?

Do you have any suggestions on brand and where to buy? Thanks
If you plan on keeping the Disco for some time, invest in a Foxwell NT520 or Nanocom Evolution diagnostic tester.
Some of the cheaper testers incorrectly reads the Land Rover faults.

Attached are the Option B steps to correct the 3 Amigos...
 

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  • LRD ABS Option B mod.pdf
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  • LRD ABS OPTION_B.pdf
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Blar

Member
Jul 17, 2019
14
0
Md
Yes I tried to contact seller but he must have used a Pat as you go phone. No longer works. I do have his address but prob turn out bad seeing him face to face. So I’m just gonna suck it up as a learning lesson and try to fix.
 

Vegas99D1

Well-known member
May 5, 2009
187
9
Plano, TX
I once sold a 4-runner to a guy, I told him of the all the known issues and he purchased it from me anyway. One week later, he comes calling saying he took it to his mechanic and that his mechanic "found" all of the issues I had already told him about prior to him buying and he expected me to pay to fix them or give him his money back. F-N ridiculous.
 

Jrod

Active member
Oct 8, 2015
38
1
Boise
Make sure you also check the abs sensors wires (cracks or rubs shorting out) as well as the hubs. Either buy a code reader or have them read for you. I've learned that I'm way too sensitive to the CEL and 3 amigos, and more often than not it is a simple fix; not the "sky is falling" scenarios I have conditioned myself for.
 
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SGaynor

Well-known member
Dec 6, 2006
7,148
162
52
Bristol, TN
If you plan on keeping the Disco for some time, invest in a Foxwell NT520 or Nanocom Evolution diagnostic tester.
Some of the cheaper testers incorrectly reads the Land Rover faults.

Attached are the Option B steps to correct the 3 Amigos...
The Foxwell is vehicle/make specific and just a reader; the Nanocom is overkill - you probably won't be doing programing anytime soon.

The Autel 629 is a better choice, IMO. It's just a reader, but it will do ALL vehicles on the planet. It reads OBDII, ABS, SRS and transmission codes. The Foxwell does that too, but only for one make and for about $50 more. You can get the Autel from Amazon for ~$120.

Do the Option B fix right, and you'll be good to go (I did it 8 years ago, no problems)
 

ERover82

Well-known member
Nov 26, 2011
3,899
450
Darien Gap
Foxwell is only brand specific, but can be expanded with licenses for more brands, and is a full programmer, not just a scanner. I have one for sale in the parts section.
 

rovercanus

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2004
9,643
244
The NT510 is now obsolete and replaced by the NT520. I have the 510 and it's been great for reading, resetting and also has functions such as brake bleeding, resetting adaptive functions. $199 is too much, they are cheaper from the manufacturer. The problem with a lot of non brand specific code readers is that they may give you a code number, but not the brand specific fault description of that fault.
The Foxwell also includes an OBD2 function so it can be used on other vehicles just without the the specific code descriptions and special functions.
http://www.foxwelltool.com/wholesal...ooqWPIzk-Sg6hByFDsrB_5oqEtY9o3_xoCcWUQAvD_BwE
Or just buy ERover's.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
I like that scanner and the price for sure. Do you guys know what scan tool will program used modules to newer rovers? Like o6 and newer. I was thinking it was black box solutions.
Land Rover equipment won't get you around a VIN already burned in a module. Trans maybe but most others no.
 

bradartigue

Well-known member
Mar 7, 2018
112
17
Sandy Springs, Georgia
Second the vote for the Autel, I've been able to take my Discovery II from a mess of engine/emissions and ABS codes a year ago down to zero codes today. Granted this included a bit of $ spent on parts, but the Autel was a big help. It will reset the adaptive values btw. The only thing I can't do with it is tell the ABS pump to cycle (which can be done with a piece of wire) and it won't match my odometer mileage to my ECU mileage. My local Rover shop offered to do that last one for me with a testbook next time I'm nearby.
 

JUKE179r

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2016
761
95
Suffolkshire, UK
I like that scanner and the price for sure. Do you guys know what scan tool will program used modules to newer rovers? Like o6 and newer. I was thinking it was black box solutions.
Land Rover equipment won't get you around a VIN already burned in a module. Trans maybe but most others no.
The Nanocom would be the one to get for an 06 or newer Land Rover.

Second the vote for the Autel
I wasn't too impressed with the Autel when I borrowed it from a friend. Maybe over the years it's gotten better for Land Rover specific trouble codes.
I had an iCarsoft CR Plus and that shit was crap. I'm sure their Land Rover version probably isn't any better. I quickly sold the CR Plus, bought a Foxwell NT510 which works great on my Disco 2 and wife's BMW X5 (E70).
One thing I noticed with the Foxwell is that you can change your Disco's EKA security code which I couldn't do with the Autel or iCarsoft.
The Nanocom is still King tho. (y)
 
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discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
The Nanocom would be the one to get for an 06 or newer Land Rover.


I wasn't too impressed with the Autel when I borrowed it from a friend. Maybe over the years it's gotten better for Land Rover specific trouble codes.
I had an iCarsoft CR Plus and that shit was crap. I'm sure their Land Rover version probably isn't any better. I quickly sold the CR Plus, bought a Foxwell NT510 which works great on my Disco 2 and wife's BMW X5 (E70).
One thing I noticed with the Foxwell is that you can change your Disco's EKA security code which I couldn't do with the Autel or iCarsoft.
The Nanocom is still King tho. (y)
Thanks. I'm gonna call them at nanocom and make sure it will do what I want. I guess the price tag at 500 plus kind of takes it out of the DIY crowd. But thats a reasonable price if it does all the crazy VIN be damned programming I wan't to do.
 

JUKE179r

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2016
761
95
Suffolkshire, UK
I guess the price tag at 500 plus kind of takes it out of the DIY crowd. But thats a reasonable price if it does all the crazy VIN be damned programming I wan't to do.
Here's a tip... If you buy from the website, pay in Euros without VAT and save $40 for the Nanocom with Discovery II Motronic V8 (€340=$390/reg $425.78) + unlock code for Disco II systems (€58 =$58.12/reg $63.44)