Traction Control warning light

[iantomos]

I drive a 2001 'Y' reg Discovery Adventurer TD5. When i start the engine, there is a grinding noise, that lasts just for a second, that can also be felt through the brake pedal. If i depress the brake pedal when starting, the noise disappears but you can still feel the brake pedal vibrate slightly. Under normal driving conditions there are no problems, everything works fine. If there is a need for the traction control system to operate, the same grinding noise returns, but for longer (approx 2 secs) and the TC amber warning light illuminates. All discs, pads and levels appear ok. Can you help as i will be driving to France in a couple of months and i dont want to break down there!!:eek:

[CraigB]

Not sure if I understand you correctly, but what you are describing sounds perfectly normal for the disco 2. I think, the ABS is tested whenever you switch on.

When TC kicks in, you get an aweful grinding noise and the brake pedal shudders a bit. When driving in loose sand, it sounds like the car is falling apart!

All normal.

[NomadABC]

As Craig says, perfectly normal.

[iantomos]

Thanks to Craig and Nomad. Apologies if im a bit 'green' to the disco, but is this grinding noise and brake shudder normal when you start the engine??:rolleyes:

[browng5]

You shouldn't get any noise or shudder on startup, only when ABS cuts in during braking. On my 99MY DII when Traction control come in, I get a slight vibration but no shuddering or grinding noise.

Graeme.

[Roger Whittle]

As CraigB and Nomad both say, those startup noises are perfectly normal and are part of the ABS/TC/HDC power on self test (POST).

If you really want to hear grinding and growling - find yourself a really steep hill, off road for preference - then try the HDC. :eek:

It will only select in low box (and 'D' on the autobox) and you need to be on the top of the hill already. Take both feet off the pedals and keep them off. Then you'll hear growling and thumping and banging and rumbling. Its quite exciting actually. :D The system disarms if you touch the pedals and won't rearm, leaving you on your way to a world of hurt. :eek:

Roger.

[iantomos]

Thanks for everybodys reply. Has anybody come accross a leaking steering box? Had a look on ebay and noticed they were selling replacement seals for the steering boxes. Is it worth changing the seals or just replacing the box? Theres only a small weep and the level hasn't gone down in the 3 months i've had the 'beast'.:rolleyes::D

[NomadABC]

First things first; the steering boxes all leak. In fact, over time, you'll find most of the car leaks, both in and out! Mines been leaking for the two years I've owned it, as did the Tdi and the Defender before it.

Stripping the box is potentially dangerous as it contains a very strong spring, which is known to cause real injury when it hits you. From comments on this, and other sites, replacing the seals is very difficult and not worth the effort. If there is a lot of play in the box, it might be worth adjusting it. It's easy to do and is covered numerous times in various threads here.

I have learnt to adopt a strategy to deal with LR ownership, which is to leave well alone until it really is broken. Otherwise, you will spend a fortune replacing things like seals and the various other "minor" imperfections on your car, which becomes a bit like painting the Forth bridge, as you will never stop.

Finally, you might want to have a look for the Rave disk on ebay as it is the complete workshop manual. As it's a breach of copyright I couldn't condome such actions, of course;)