Hill Descent control ??????????????????

[petergalileo]

Hi, Just bought a Freelander with hill descent control, I didnt get any books with it so can someone tell me what it is, does and how to use it ?

Also, I noticed if you pull off in 1st or reverse and dip the clutch it brakes itself, is that part of it ?

Thanks
Peter

[Llanigraham]

HDC only works in first and reverse, and by acting with the ABS and ATC systems restricts to speed of the vehicle to about 5 mph.
From experience it works very well but very noisily at first, and you have to learn to trust it.
Does sometimes seem a bit too fast but it has never let me down yet.
Also brilliant on snowy descents.
When off road I invariably leave it switched on.

One word of warning, the wiring at the bottom of the gear stick can come disconnected. Shows by the dash light not coming on. A main stealer will try to sell you a new switch but they can easily be repaired with a soldering iron.

[Sider]

Thing to remember with the HDC: make sure you are perfectly situated for the line you wanna follow, because once you start going down, changing direction is bloody difficult, as the system will try to keep you in a straight line.

Also, once you are moving, unless absolutely necessary, don't touch either brake or clutch, any of them will deactivate the HDC, and could give you a nasty surprise.

[petergalileo]

So is it off with the yellow warning band on the gearstick showing or does that mean its on ?

Thanks

[Sider]

If it is on, you should have a green light showing on the dashboard, flasing if it is "switched on" but not engaged (it will only engage in 1st and reverse) solid green if fully engaged.

If memory serves, with your version you have to press the "trigger" and push down along the gearstick to activate. Mine is the '04 model, and it's been a long time since we got rid of the old Freelander van we used to have at work.

[petergalileo]

Well I dont have any lights except when you turn on the ignition so I am guessing in th great tradition of Land Rover its off to look for blown fuses and worn through wires.

Thanks for the info.

[s.stirley]

Start with the wires under the gear-stick .. it's practically always those which fatigue off at the microswitch end. There's even a TSB about it somewhere ..

[petergalileo]

Does the auto braking effect I have experienced a couple of times have anything to do with the HDC ? That system seems to be on all the time.

I really ought to get a manual for this car !!

Peter

[Llanigraham]

Does the auto braking effect I have experienced a couple of times have anything to do with the HDC ? That system seems to be on all the time.

I presume you mean the ABS system?

That is on all the time and is "connected" with the HDC.
The HDC will only work on 1st and reverse.
When you switch it on are you getting the lights on the dash?

[petergalileo]

I get the green light now, the wiring was broke and it seemed like a poor bit of design so I redesigned it using a cable tie and some gaffa tape.

This auto braking effect is I think the viscous coupling only happens on full lock when I dip the clutch manouvering about, just a guess though, still waiting for the damned book !

[Llanigraham]

That is normal and is the VCU locking up slightly.
As the dealers say,
They all do that sir.


Hope you're going to join the Freelander Club now!!