Land Rover basic diagnostic in 5 steps - LR3 - LR4 

Something to add to #5, Get Involved. When using the Internet forums for diagnostic help, follow-up your issue post with the final repair, and stick around on the forum after your fault is fixed. Land Rover DIY only works via community effort, and the more people out there working on their cars and sharing information, the better off we all are! Finally, I’ve noticed you get better help when people know you are an active member and not simply a fly-by-night member. Thanks for being a part of the community!

Having owned 6 Land Rovers over the years I'm well used to the temperamental problems you encounter as an owner, and spending a weekend in the garage fixing the issues becomes the norm. Last year I couldn't decide whether to buy a Disco 3 or 4 and I found your videos very helpful. I especially found the broken crank videos very informative and entertaining. So I decided to become a Land Rover owner by proxy, and by watching you both I get to have all the experience of owning a Land Rover but without the cold, oily weekends in the garage or the cost of ownership! Instead of the Disco I opted for an XC90 (2010), and whilst it's not as good off-road as a Land Rover (what is) it does offer exceptional comfort and reliability. I recently went on a 200 mile round trip and instead of worrying about whether I would get there or not I simply enjoyed the journey. So, I need to keep watching your Sunday videos to get my 'reliability anxiety' fix. Thank you and keep up the good work! 🙂 P.S. I never considered a Toyota because I'm not old enough yet!

You should do a video on the differentials, I can give you some insight on how they can be refurbished using cheap Dana 44 components as almost all Lr3's at this point have worn bearings and races.

I first came across Land Rover Series 2 & 3 whilst serving in the RAF in 1970. I loved them. However I was of the opinion if you actually bought one you would need a mechanic on call 24 hours or a full set of SnapOn tools along with a vehicle lift. When I came across LR Time I was amused to see you had the full set of tools and a vehicle lift, brilliant, a man after my own heart. I enjoy your videos and the interaction between you and Vera. Keep up the good work.

Simply priceless night calling the interrogation of VERA GIGGLES APLENTY THROUGHOUT THE EPISODE kudos Christian your humor wit you two are one of the jewels of RU-vid

Thank you for this valuable information, if you look hard enough, all cars have their problems but in a disco you are the king of the road and the garage. Stay safe 🏆🏆🏆

Hi Christian&Vera, I'm also infected with the Land Rover virus and the disease is very resistant and incurable. Love your videos, smart tips and I also love you as a couple with always a lot of humor. "Knowing what car you drive is essential for any Land Rover owner, Discovery, Defender, Series. Until today I also thought that AEG was a German brand... Herzliche Grüße aus den Niederlanden!

You have two types of problems: 1. Problems that you can fix quickly and with ease... 2. Problems that cost more than the car is worth and that you end up fixing yourself

Hi Christian & Vera, thank you for being hobby RU-vidrs! Love your content!! I only recently subscribed to your channel and I'll admit, there hasn't been a dull moment in my life ever since! I'm a Toyota LandCruiser 76 Series (V8 Diesel) owner. Watching your channel made me realise, yet again, that I have made the right life choices. Well, at least what cars are concerned. What I also realised is, is how much I miss working on cars... so owning a "WhatCruiser" robbed me of that joy! I may just raid the piggy bank and buy a Land Rover, just to feel like I contribute to the aftermarket parts industry / economy in that way. Because let's be honest, owning a "Toyoda" won't afford me that opportunity. You're also living proof that, whenever we go on a off road trip, we always invite a Land Rover owner along.... reason being, they always have the tools with them and necessary skills to fix anything....! I may just become a Patreon!

When my LR4 alternator failed it cooked my battery! With a power pack the size of a pencil case and a fault reader I was able to start my car and also unlock the gear selector that was engaged but would not release when pressing the gear leaver. Having a fault reader, jumper power pack and Christians personal mobile number is essential for every LR owner worldwide 😆❤️LRT

Thanks - great video...i learned what i was needed to start with...Moving from my LR3 (440K km) to a 2012 LR4 (110K km)...hope it is better use of funds for 10 yrs or so!

I love your car's registration plate number "DIRT"44. I guess you've had comments about that for years,,,,great channel,,cheers

Hi Christian, hi Vera! This is Steve from GAP Diagnostic - I enjoyed the video. And yes, providing psychological support for LR owners is one of our main tasks as well. We produce diagnostic systems on the side :-p Seriously, though, this is actually just one of the reasons the IIDTool is more expensive than other LR diagnostic systems. We are the only LR diagnostic system manufacturer for the end-user who actually provide support. While I agree completely in everything you said, this is definitely the more time and effort intensive way of going about the ownership of an older LR. Even all of us at GAP get tired of being 'forced' to play with our cars. An easier method, for instance would be to export the fault list once every 3 months or so and then clear the faults - should not take more than 5 minutes. When something more serious crops up, you can go back and compare the various lists and it becomes very apparent which faults are recurring (nuisance) faults and which are likely to have caused an issue. The average owner (with less of an interest in the vehicle and especially diagnostics) check through the list once (after seeing this video :-)) and forgets about it till a serious issue appears. And then he has nothing to work from and has to start from scratch. Of course you can't export the list with the iCarsoft :-p (Which we all don't consider to be a bad tool, btw. As a matter of fact, if the iCarsoft had been around 10 years ago, maybe there wouldn't have been an IIDTool. But back then, anything worth buying cost 4-figures in $ or €. And the iCarsoft definetely has its drawbacks). Aside from regular maintenace, maybe doing a video on the dfferences between diagnostic systems might be something worth considering - and just as much of a help for your viewers as this video. Vielleicht sehen wir uns auf der Abenteuer & Allrad dieses Jahr? Würde mich freuen. LG

Love the content so much - please don't ever change!

Who ever stated Germans don’t have a sense of humor, they were wrong!! Thank you for another great video

As entertaining and informative as ever, great family .

You guys are HILARIOUS! I don't even own a Land Rover (but we do have a Jag XK8 and an XK), and I am addicted to your RU-vid channel! I'd better watch myself, or I might become a "Patreon" of your channel (it would be 1st time ever for me on RU-vid). Does my 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel Overland 4x4 count as being a "Land Rover-ish, Discovery-ish, LR-ish" Owner? BTW, I'm in Michigan. 😁

Great information as always guys, and what a very talented family you all are.

I also work in the car industry not for Landover but Vauxhall , ok Opel was GM now PSA or Stellantis 😢 I did work in an engine plant carrying out Durability tests on V6 engines (petrol not diesel) and investigating warranty returned engines. This is probably why I enjoy your videos so much. Plus the comedy value is second to none. I just had to pause this diagnostic video due to laughing so much at one of your phrases, EVER SINCE you worked on my Vehicle 😂😂😂 brilliant one I'm stealing this one 😂😂😂

Great advice as always, and presented in very entertaining form👍

Im African. I own a 1997 80 series landcruiser and a 2007 LR3. Love both cars. LR3 takes me to the bush and its like sitting in my lounge. I can arrive and work, but always have little faults and worries on the rough bush road. My 80 series takes me to the farm with no worries but then I need 2 days sleep to recover from the strain of driving an uncomfortable car. Love your content. Very helpful for us landy lovers.

The weather there looks lovely!

Keep up the good work, of presenting us, with a voyage of Discovery.

Great video. Love the search tip for the Disco3 site. 👍

Great advise and extremely humous delivery!

Great video really enjoy watching them .

Thanks for all the great content and information.

Wow hi guys love to watch you two it’s brilliant that you repair theses L/R

The GAP tool was my first purchase! Philip looks just like his mom! We sure enjoy you guys. Cheers, Bob &Jill

These are so original and fun 🤩

Have to tell you i absolutely LOVE your channel!! :)

Okay . . . I won't unsubscribe as long as YOU ALL keep making videos! It's great entertainment, but more importantly, it's great education. This video here is another good example of my need for education and I'm learning things that I need to do to help. Keep it up! PLEASE! And thank you!

I laughed so hard I almost blew my drink through my nose. You are so very right on all points. Love your videos.

Luv it you guys are so entertaining 😂 and truthful cheers

This is one of your best videos yet. I really like that you are up front and honest with your viewers about LR Discovery ownership. I loved step #5 - get involved. People always want their vehicle fixed but they don't want to help in the repair. Sure they will take you out for dinner and that is appreciated but they should want to learn more about their vehicle and how it works even if they just hand you tools and are there as emotional help.

Hi , thank you for all the information and very happy to see you are both still very occupied with the LR,S and your family . keep going and have fun .

Another brilliant video ! Thanks both. Best you tube channel in the world :)

Fantastic information from you guys. Thanks so much from down under, we are honestly afraid to take our disco 3 v8 hse to a workshop from past experiences. We still love the car after owning it for 5 yrs or more. The local workshops pretend to know about LR but rarely know anything. They know how to charge for a new battery and a diagnosis $$$ without fixing the problems. Keep up the Tubes there will be many more LR on the road because of your priceless information thanks again guys. Subscriber for sure 👍🇭🇲

Guys your videos are always informative and also entertaining. As also owning a 2008 discovery 3 I feel your pain, but also share your enthusiasm for the chase of finding the intermittent irritating faults.🤣👍

Another brilliant video.

I'm having a nightmare with my L320 Range Rover Sport which is very similar as you know. As there's a shortage of RRS videos or mechanics I wondered if you'd had experience with the icarsoft v3. I know it can do a few th8ngs but I'm a novice compared to you guys :-) by the way thanks for the videos myself and my partner are planning on wild touring in our RRS in the UK this summer/winter and Europe next year :-) we love watching your videos and my partner Denise loves the couples element ❤

Morning Vera & Christian. Sorry I didn’t watch this in one episode as I was busy at work lol 😆 But again a fantastic video full of humour and great information 👍🏻 I’m glad Vera knows where your tools are Christian hehe 🤣 Take care as always cheers Stevie. For Vera 😘🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Always watching Your videos and I’ve never commented but this is the best one you’ve ever made thank you for your honesty

Thank you for your effort on the Toyota. P.S. I do not have a land rover (nor Toyota) but would just like to say I enjoy your videos, keep up the good work.

Great video yeah the discovery 3/4 is probably the only suv that make’s your hart miss a beat when the lights come on and keeps you wondering if it hasn’t been on for a bit 🇬🇧👍

Really interesting you two are so much fun 👍🧢🇬🇧

Hi great information as usual and love the badge take care stay safe diesel here in Lincolnshire is £1.80 help

Land Rover problems - what a fertile area of study. Toyota problems, not so much. Thanks Vera and Christian, your videos are excellent.

Hi guys, I could listen to you guys talking all day, this has been one of the most useful vlogs you have done. Thank you.

I love your videos. I'm not sure if it's on purpose but you are the funniest German I have ever encountered

Hi Christian and Vera, I think I have just thought of a great idea for another video: How about buying any old Toyota What’s it Cruiser, take off the body and sell it for scrap, then take off the body of your Discovery and attach it to the What’s it Cruiser chassis and running gear, also selling the Toyota body for scrap? This way, we could all save the enormous expense of ever needing an iCarsoft i930 scanner and having to learn how to use it too! However, as we would all miss the pair of you each Sunday, please could you think of videoing something else to keep all entertained each Sunday? I realise this might be difficult, but there must be something that will enable us to hear Vera continuing to say “Oh my God” and for us to take a count of how many times it is possible for her to say it each episode. If this isn’t possible, please continue with your Discos as they are! No need to thank me for this idea.

I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep tonight knowing Dr.Christian may phone at anytime 😱😱😱😱

I really liked the outro on this video. I grew up wishing there was a BMX park near my house and that my parents owned a land rover. Philip is blessed also to be very talented. Now I'm old enough to own a land rover but too old for BMX! Some wishes come true 👍 ❤️ Love you two thanks for the great instructional videos for maintaining land rovers and marriages!

Danke sehr für Eure wertvollen Tips ! Ich habe meine Therapiesitzungen auf Sonntag und auf online verlegt. Hab mich auch im Disco3 Forum angemeldet. 🧘‍♂️

Another fabulous video 👍 I'm a Toyota owner and I'm going to buy a diagnostic tool and I'm going to use it! Even though in 3 years I've never had a fault!

Brilliant guys. Very informative and very entertaining. I really must learn to stay off of your channel so late in the evening. I really should be getting some sleep but I just had to watch this through. I would love the Gap IID tool but I went for the Foxwell 520 in the end....because I spent all of my money (and some of the banks money) on a Disco 4. You have a new subscriber. Keep up the great work and all the best to you both.

I like the metal work content, he is very good.

This is the best video you've done. Now I finally know how to go about asking you for help! 😉 Thank you so much for your fantastic videos.

I love your videos they are so much fun 😂

Love these guys...

I loved this video. Very entertaining, funny, and informative. I'm now wondering if I should get a diagnostic tool for my 2013 Ford Edge. Of course, the additional content was excellent. Absolutely amazing what Robin and Philp are doing. By the way, the rear rim on my mountain bike was cracked, so last week I had a shop replace it for $210 which included the $50 for the new rim.

Vera's cheeky laugh is all that's needed to fix any problems! Amazing, the old Disco 3/4 must be the most underrated vehicle in the world... certainly the latest one has it's issues and huge bills to go with it, and if you think you're amateurs, get real, you know far more than any of the current services managers in the UK, they just say replacement required and land you with a six grand (£) bill. You should set your own dealership up! Land Rover were at their peak when they were sold through some farm machinery outlets here in the UK and many of them were enthusiasts, but they then went all up market and we're left with dealing with a bunch of box shifters - they may as well sell them through Amazon in my book...! Great fun and very useful video on the diagnostics.

Great advice for Land Rover buyers! I have a regular OBD2 scanner, but I will look into the GAPiiD tool, seems to me it is made specific for Land Rovers. Thank you very much!

Great vid, thanks. Wish I saw it sooner though...

Excellent!

I'm glad I'm not the only one that checks my diagnostic read out every 3-4 weeks lol

Well done guy's. 👍

Thank you guys

I see you as purveyors of mirth. The subject matter on land rover junk is massive. You will never run out of material. Thank you for the comedy and making us laugh. Land Rover pushed me to Toyota. Feeling lucky that the crankshaft didn't break today while taking the kids to school is not my idea of fun. 😊

Best video ever!

Fantastic video. You are absolutely correct about working in close partnership with your technician/mechanic. Not all mechanics want you hanging around their workshop, but I found one near my office in the West Midlands (home of Land Rover). He is happy with me bringing my own parts and fitting them for me. This helps keep the running costs down. He’s an authorised service technician so can also update the service record online which is awesome. Last week one of the coolant hoses failed, Land Rover wanted over £220 for it, if he orders it then he has to charge another % on top. I bought it on eBay for £125 sent it directly to his workshop and he fitted it for me. Perfect ! Next on my list is a diagnostic tool. You are absolutely correct with that an absolute must have for every Land Rover owner. Not just discoveries ! Thanks guys. See you next week.

Great to see Robin demonstrating his craft. If you had a Defender (like me) instead of a Discovery, that hammer would be the only tool you would need to keep it running.😀

I had a carsoft Disco 4 tool ordered on Amazon before I went to pick it up from the dealer :). If you want to drive a Disco without going to the mechanic for every bong, , this is a must have, it is the equivalent of a hammer and duct tape for a Toyota.. :)

I love your sense of humour definately not typically of Germany 🤣

I am loving these videos...thank you!! I have a Toyota so I can confirm that the check engine light is just there to make sure we don't feel left out, but it never goes on 😂. I am currently in a 2018 Tundra looking to go to a disco 3 '10 or '11 or a 2020 TD6. After watching your videos, I'm more inclined to get a disco 4. I can do some maintenance but really have no need on my Tundra. The only thing I've had to do is oil changes. I'm slowly going to work through your videos and am hopefully I find my discovery soon!

Hi there guys, thank you for the time invested into making these videos. I'm about to buy a iCarsoft tool for my Disco 4 2016 but it's still unclear after much online research which actually covers this model and year. The i930 looks like it's until 2013. Thanks in advance :)

Hello doc and lovely assistant. Beautiful content as usual sorry we are Toyota owners, just sold our little Rav 4 with over 300000 KLM and 27 years old for a profit. Did own a Range Rover jn the UK and I am a qualified auto elecrtican please people get the diag tool BUT use with care it's not a get out of jail free unit. Vera only one oh my god well done. Sorry to say we bought another RAV4 latest model BUT as you have said they don't fit a dip stick on the auto transmission . Just going to plug in my diag tool.. please stay safe and keep up the god work. Are you going to build a couch for the disco to lay on during your examination, doctor.

Great video. I have the iCarSoft scanner too. It's great.

Great advice here. The GAP tool was one of my earlier purchases after I got my disco 4. I will now start checking for faults each month rather than when I happen to think about it. You are right about the nuisance faults like rear camera communication lost etc etc. These do happen all the time. Love your videos. How can I buy one of your patches?

Really valuable information. As an aside, please get Robin to wear ear protection when he works 👍see you next Sunday 😁

You are the best couples in youtube.

Great video as always and on the mark in terms of regularly checking for error codes - most cars will over time create all sorts of erroneous codes. Vera if you enjoy sewing see if you can find an old Singer sewing machine. That AEG plastic thing sounded pretty harsh.

Thanks!

your spats at Toyota are usually very interesting

We have gotten much use from our iiDTool. Last week, two days before my wife was meant to leave for a 10 day trip out west to the opal and dinosaur fields hhe D3 had some funky faults, they just looked like the usual ECU etc faults, but with some trans, suspension and compressor codes. I cycled the the height settings watching the iiDtool specs and based on height dimensions, I found the front left air bag had a leak. I could also hear it leaking with the window down at offroad height. I sourced a new pair expecting to change them overnight for the trip, but She ended up going with a different car. iiDTool is 100% must have for D3/4 ownership

Doktor Christian, you have the patience of Job. It is difficult to say what you need to in a diplomatic manner. Well said! I don't have a Land Rover, but I enjoy learning from my LR friends every Sunday. Also love the clips of Robin and Philipp. They are both so talented. Christian, would it help to use a machined or cut out firebrick under the induction heater coil in Robin's shop?

I now need to go and get a diagnosis tool now… Thanks for that the Mrs is already thinking I’m mad for wanting never to get rid of the “Mechanic’s Princess 👑 “

Another fantastic video, thanks Christian and Vera. Ps love my stickers, have one proudly displayed on my LR3. PPS if anyone wants to get rid of their Europe made factory display that has the camera features, please let me know as I would like to play around with one. The US version isn’t activated :(

Cracking video as always. I’ve got the icarsoft i820, and use it all the time .

Kiitos.

Excelent vídeo...and im not a lr guy😁😁😁🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙💪💪💪💪💪💯

Im back. Think im gonna buy one of these discovery 3 or 4 and have some maintenance fun

scan tool is 100% a must.

Very good reasuring video for many Christian & Vera. Robin wasn't mucking around, he was running to the anvil to do whatever he needed to do! People would be horrified to hear that aircraft on every flight have hundreds of faults logged - of which most if not all are nuisance items, however they fall into the parameters for logging an issue. Similar to loosing the comms at start up that you gave an example of, you only need to have a voltage below the threshold & an item is logged. I was surprised how many items mine logged, yet the LR# was running fine. Then I started seeing repeated items, though no check engine light or any other lights or messages on the display on the dash. I was concerned, as everyone knows, LR products have problems. I eventually put them down to nuisance reporting. As you say, the art is knowing what is a real fault that requires further investigation and what is not. I have ordered an iCarsoft LR V3.0. After researching many, I have determined this is the best value for money form me. If I find a second hand Gap II I will buy one, though for what I want the iCarsoft is more than enough. I do have an AUTEL AP200 with the Land Rover software, and it is pretty good for the price, and it does let me reset the service interval on my LR3, however I believe the iCarsoft LR V3.0 is infinitely better than the Autel I have.

suddenly i found something interesting. I've been watching your videos and they are excellent,. you are a great team together. I i owned a 1977 Range rover in 1992. two 110,,s later. I Would like a Discovery but even if i am good with fixing vehicles , i am really scared abut thinking about owning a Disco 3. I would love one even if i have the Icar 2 . John 85737.

I was right in the middle of reading my 4 a bedtime story as suggested

Awesome🤣🤣🤣🤣Christian should be on Mastermind UK....brilliant

You’re tempting me to take my diagnostic tool out of its packet and plug it into my Toyota just to check that the diagnostic tool still works after so many years in the boot 😉

Great video and I'll send you an e-maol about the patch. It was great to see Robin working - an expert making it all look easy (when it's not). I gatther that what he is making (what Christian called an "Eel") is a Porcupine or Hedgehog?

so sorry i missed it on Sunday as i was not well getting a bit better now your knowledge is fantastic i am going to stick with my freelander for a while and the wife will not pat with hers that a 1998 petrol 1800 and just keeps passing the MOT (england) every time but i keep thinking about a freelander 2 or a defender.but alredy i have a Icarsoft reader i think mine is a v2 and it has paid for its self already