Land Rover Mechanic Chicagoland Area - ABS Issues D1

RVR OVR

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2004
342
105
IL
Hey folks - I am trying to diagnose my ABS light in my D1 and would prefer professional help on this topic. I have called a couple places near me and they are unable or unwilling to try and diagnose the problem.

I really want the truck to have all the parts working that it should have. My son is turning 16 and will be driving it - my fear is that if he gets into an accident with the ABS disabled (I currently have the fuse out), it is a liability that we knowingly drove with it disabled.

I live in the near western suburbs (Oak Brook area) so nearer to that would be great.

I know I can do to the dealership but I really want to avoid paying more than I paid for the truck to have this fixed.

Thanks!
 

p m

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Staff member
Apr 19, 2004
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La Jolla, CA
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The ABS troubleshooting process on a D1 is very similar to that on the Classic - read the codes, clear them, replace or repair what needs to be.
I went through this in the Classic, and everything is peachy, including working traction control.
That said, on the D1 my first code is 2-0, and I gave up trying to figure it out.
Here are the instructions.
Note that you have to wait until the code sequence is completed and the ABS light is OFF to remove the jumper in order to clear the code.
 

RVR OVR

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2004
342
105
IL
The ABS troubleshooting process on a D1 is very similar to that on the Classic - read the codes, clear them, replace or repair what needs to be.
I went through this in the Classic, and everything is peachy, including working traction control.
That said, on the D1 my first code is 2-0, and I gave up trying to figure it out.
Here are the instructions.
Note that you have to wait until the code sequence is completed and the ABS light is OFF to remove the jumper in order to clear the code.


My 1995 is not OBD 2 so that pin pattern does not work. I did find another similar document with the pins to jumper on a second connector, problem is I don't know where that connector is and I have looked for it a couple times.

Here is the version with the instructions for my 1995. No idea where the relay or the connector is that they are referring to.

"First locate and remove the ABS Warning Light Relay from the group of relays underneath the seat (consult owner's guide for specific vehicle location, if needed). Then, find the blue 4 pin connector under the front of the driver's seat on the RR (or under the black, cardboard lower dash on the Disco-1) and jumper the black to black/pink wire with the key on – a paperclip will work. "
 

fishEH

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2009
6,927
201
Lake Villa, IL
You could just run with a burnt out fuse and play the "I had no idea" card. ;)
Try Admiral Motors in Arlington Heights. The guy's name is Mihaly(pronounced Meeshee), or he also goes by Mike. He's Hungarian and has an accent and is not big on phone calls. He knows his stuff though, especially Land Rovers.
 

RVR OVR

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2004
342
105
IL
94 and 95 D1s are the same as Classic. In a 95 D1 this connector is somewhere behind the left-side footwell trim panel.

Is it actually connected or “unconnected” to anything like an obd 2 connector?
 

RVR OVR

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2004
342
105
IL
Does this look like the connector?
 

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bgbrox

Well-known member
Dec 25, 2016
63
8
Golden, CO
After cleaning and reseating didn't work, I put used sensors on the front of my D1 and got some improvement (now the light is sometimes off). Will Tillery has used, known working ones for a reasonable price. Compared to an hour of professional diagnosis, it seemed cost effective to get them out of the equation. I'll likely buy rears before giving up and taking it to a shop.

Some might frown at throwing parts at the problem, but my skillset is what it is...
 

RVR OVR

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2004
342
105
IL
Weather here has been total shit. Either too cold or raining. Will hopefully get to try this weekend.
 

RVR OVR

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2004
342
105
IL
Fort those that have suggested it, I have already replaced all the ABS sensors - I went the brute force route to start since they were around $100 on eBay to do them all..
 
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discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
What part of the Chicago area? It's probably a loose wheel bearing pushing your sensor up out of the bore. Get an extension or long screw driver and make sure the sensors are pushed all the way down against the reluctor ring. Make sure the wheel bearings are tight
 

p m

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Apr 19, 2004
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Fort those that have suggested it, I have already replaced all the ABS sensors - I went the brute force route to start since they were around $100 on eBay to do them all..
There's a reason for this price. In my short experience, they don't last very long - and some were bad right off the bat.
 

sundayfunday

New member
Feb 14, 2019
3
0
Boston
FishED suggested admiral motors - ask for meeshee - (Mike) if there a problem & you want it done right. He is who you want to get in touch with. People from a lot farther away then seek him out.

A failing wheel bearing will eventually chafe- collecting minuscule amounts of debris on senser - causing a short & dash light on. The abs senser is essentially just a magnet.
You can get back in there and re service to do check.
Jacking front end up and kicking wheel to identify any play in wheel bearing would be an easy start.
All above happened to me.
 

p m

Administrator
Staff member
Apr 19, 2004
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La Jolla, CA
www.3rj.org
A failing wheel bearing will eventually chafe- collecting minuscule amounts of debris on senser - causing a short & dash light on. The abs senser is essentially just a magnet.
Metal shavings in the steering knuckle will not enter the sensor and cause a short. For that, the bottom of the sensor must be "shaved off" by the CV joint tone ring - and for that one must have to pound the sensor into the housing frequently and heavily.
 

sundayfunday

New member
Feb 14, 2019
3
0
Boston
Let me correct myself.
My experience was with a D2-

Sharing a challenging experience myself understanding why my abs light was constantly illuminating - yet inconsistently. I’m not referring to a steering knuckle- (cv joint). Turned out - in my case -was the wheel bearing slowly chafing as it was dry and failing. Therefore collecting dust on abs senser - which is essentially a magnet monitoring the wheel bearing frequency.