Member Since: 02 Mar 2018
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 69
Blasted HDC Fault
I know this has come up a lot, but I cannot find the specific bit of advice I'm looking for.
So, I had the HDC Fault, Special Programs Unavailable, Suspension Lowered fault come up today. Over the years, I've read about some of the typical reasons, so I'll be checking them out. I've not driven my Disco 3, TDV6 for a few weeks now, so it could be that the battery has got a bit low. I'll be up early to stick it on charge, so hopefully that'll sort it.
If not, then I'll replace the brake switch (I have a spare somewhere, that I bought just in case some while back). However, I do wonder if it might be an ABS sensor issue. This is because when the problem showed up today, I was out on the road doing about 30mph, when all of a sudden the ABS kicked in, so the car juddered several times, before lowering the suspension, showing the fault and carrying on. If it is that sensor, is there only one to replace, or several?
Anyhow, the specfic bit of advice I'm after is this. If I raise the car to normal height and pull the fuse for suspension height adjustment, assuming there are no air leaks, will the suspension stay at normal height so I can drive the car?
Before you say, yes I should get a IID GAP tool, but sadly my budget won't run to it right now, according to my bank manager!!!
Thanks for any advice.
Last edited by Disco3_DC on 7th Feb 2023 1:47 am. Edited 1 time in total
7th Feb 2023 1:26 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13635
Hi
Indeed with multiple faults u really need a code reader , there is one for around £60 which is called an Autel AP200 , u want the white one , at least then ur be able to get the fault codes otherwise ur just start chasing ur tail and not get anywhere
Plus 1 with regards to the battery , with the engine off should see around 12.6Vdc
Here’s also a link with regards to that Autel, also very handy to keep in ur glove box
Member Since: 18 Apr 2022
Location: Oxford
Posts: 43
Disco3_DC it looks like you're in my neck of the woods - I have a GAP tool if you need the codes reading/cleared somewhere in or near Oxford. No substitute for having your own code reader of course, but let me know if you're in a jam! My tool is VIN-locked, so reading and clearing codes is fine but wouldn't be able to recalibrate anything.
Do agree with comments on batteries as well, these cars seem to get quite upset if the battery condition is anything less than perfect.D3 2005 HSE
GAP IID
7th Feb 2023 12:00 pm
Disco3_DC
Member Since: 02 Mar 2018
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 69
Thanks Gstuart and 480GT.
I'll have a think about the Autel AP200, although as my car is now nearly 20 years old, I feel that I really should go the whole hog and get the GAP iid tool when the bank balance allows.
Many thanks for your kind offer of checking the codes 480GT. I used to live about 15 minutes south of Oxford, but I'm closer to Swindon these days, so perhaps a bit of a trek for you, although I'd be happy to head over to you if I can get the car to stay at Normal Height ... driving in Access Height is misery and I'm not sure if it's doing any harm.
I'll give the battery a day's charge and have a quick look at a couple of other things, but if that doesn't work, maybe we could meet up and test it. By the way, looks like that's a Volvo 480 in your photo. Very nice. What year is it?
Best wishes, Darren
7th Feb 2023 12:17 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13635
Hi Darren
Ur so welcome and indeed always a team effort and full of such kind people here , case in point of the super kind offer from @480GT
Certainly half the battle getting codes read , plus that’s great getting the battery charged up , was surprised on how much it can effects results when they get low
mines also a 2005 , do have a gap iid and the Autel AP200 which will even program keys to which I got a new one off eBay, got the blank cut for around £60.00
Indeed plse let us know how u get on
7th Feb 2023 8:14 pm
480GT
Member Since: 18 Apr 2022
Location: Oxford
Posts: 43
It is indeed a 1994 Volvo 480 GT, hence my username! It does me very well as an auxiliary money pit for those rare occasions when the D3 isn't costing me something. My first car was a 480 and I've been driving them ever since, with this one being my keep-it-forever car. It's currently having a fairly major rebuild, but I'm hoping to have it back on the road for the summer, and then I'll do my best to keep it going for another 30 years!
I'm right in the centre most of the time so Swindon's a bit far out for me, but do get in touch if you're in the area and need a hand.
Driving in access height - not ideal. A few months ago I followed a D3 riding on its bump stops down the A34 from Bicester to Kidlington. Looked far from comfortable, and the driver didn't look like he was enjoying it much either when I overtook. Putting it in standard height and pulling the fuse would work in theory in the short term, as long as the air system is in perfect condition and there are no leaks.D3 2005 HSE
GAP IID
9th Feb 2023 12:01 am
Disco3_DC
Member Since: 02 Mar 2018
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 69
Thanks again to you both for your input.
Latest update is that I put the battery on charge yesterday morning, using my CTEK. 14 hours later it was still showing 4 bars (instead of the fully charged 7). That's not unusal, as it can take 24 hours to get a full charge into a depleated battery, I'm told. Anyhow, by 11pm last night I had to take it off charge (as it was outside, on the car). I thought I'd give the car a go this morning before anything else and noticed that the voltmeter in the car was showing 11.7v, so a long way below what I'd want to see. Tried the car. It started, but still showing the HDC fault.
I've now removed the battery from the car (what a pain that is on your own!) and stuck it on charge in the garage. It's only three years old, so I'd expect it to have lasted longer, but then sometimes in the winter I do not drive for several weeks, so that's not good for it. My last battery, also an Odyssey Extreme PC1350 AGM, lasted about 5 years.
As I'm not sure if the battery will be any good after a charge, I've opted to buy another. The Odyssey one is no longer available and the replacement is a crazy price (around £300), so cobblers to that. I've gone for an Exide EA1000, instead, at about £100.
Fingers crossed it is only the battery that is causing the issue. We should know by tomorrow.
I'm a big fan of Volvos, 480GT. I've considered buying an Amazon and a P1800 before. My current auxiliary money pit is a 1968 Triumph TR. If you are ever at a loose end on the third Wednesday of each month, I help run a classic car club located in Stanford in the Vale. You'd be most welcome to bring your Volvo along. Send me a message if it's of interest.
Best wishes, Darren
9th Feb 2023 12:38 am
Moleshome
Member Since: 15 Oct 2020
Location: Wokingham
Posts: 412
480GT wrote:
It is indeed a 1994 Volvo 480 GT, hence my username! It does me very well as an auxiliary money pit for those rare occasions when the D3 isn't costing me something. My first car was a 480 and I've been driving them ever since, with this one being my keep-it-forever car. It's currently having a fairly major rebuild, but I'm hoping to have it back on the road for the summer, and then I'll do my best to keep it going for another 30 years!
I used to have an '89 480 Turbo many years ago and absolutely loved it until one thing after another failed in a continual stream of garage bills. I've not really missed many cars over the years but it was a sad day when Reg the wedge went.
9th Feb 2023 9:27 am
Disco3_DC
Member Since: 02 Mar 2018
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 69
Update:
I fitted the new battery yesterday and started the car up. HDC warning still there for a few seconds, but then disappeared. All looked good. Started to reverse off the drive and problem appeared again. So, it's not the battery.
Called the specialist 4x4 garage I've used for the last 10 years or so and they said if I could get it over there, they'd run a diagnostic for me. It was a bumpy drive at access height, but worth it, as they checked it over for me. Diagnostic suggests it's the Steering Angle Sensor causing the issues.
Gargage is fully booked for work at the moment, so are unable to fix it, so I've had a look at posts here. I see that a common fault is the sleeve that attaches to the steering column coming lose, so I'll have a look to see if that is what is happening here.
10th Feb 2023 1:06 pm
darrind
Member Since: 04 Jul 2008
Location: In A World of My Own!
Posts: 2863
Just out of interest have you taken a look at the steering Angle sensor - that is a regular cause of the issue as it gets loose on the steering column and gives odd readings. Easy to diagnose with a mobile phone filming upwards as you turn the wheel back and forth.
take a look at this - it shows how they can look when they get loose -
Good Luck Must stop buying shiny toys....
10th Feb 2023 1:26 pm
480GT
Member Since: 18 Apr 2022
Location: Oxford
Posts: 43
Moleshome wrote:
I used to have an '89 480 Turbo many years ago and absolutely loved it until one thing after another failed in a continual stream of garage bills. I've not really missed many cars over the years but it was a sad day when Reg the wedge went.
The early cars did suffer quite a lot of problems, although they became a lot more reliable after the electricals (among many other things) were overhauled in'92. Not many turbos left now - a lot were gutted for their engines by the R5 crowd. Most if not all are accounted for by the owner's club and we intend to keep them all going. An interesting story about the turbo engine - the development was done by Porsche and they got it running circa 180bhp, which Volvo felt was a bit much for their sensible image, so they detuned it back down to 122bhp, or the same as the N/A 2.0L engine. Very dull. Fortunately with a bit of work done on the ECU the full power can be unleashed again, and with their suspension and road holding (credit to Lotus) they really are quite the car.
Darren - sorry to hear you're still having issues with your car. I looked at the video on your other thread, and although I can't comment on whether that is a normal amount of play or not (I'll see if I can get a look at mine in daylight tomorrow) my issue persisted until I re-calibrated the steering sensor, after which it was absolutely fine. Seemed odd since prior re re-calibration it would have presumably been off, but uniformly so. Having said that when it comes to the sensors and electronics on these cars I prefer to just throw the GAP tool at the problem and try not to think about the logic!
Thanks for the heads up about the classic car club as well - I find myself in that neck of the woods fairly frequently so will drop you a message when the 480 is back on the road.D3 2005 HSE
GAP IID
21st Feb 2023 9:44 pm
Disco3_DC
Member Since: 02 Mar 2018
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 69
Thanks again to everyone who gave their suggestions. Car is now fixed. That inner sleeve of the steering angle sensor wasn't moving much, but it was enough to cause the problem. It's now been bonded in place and everything is working as it should (for the moment!).
It would be great to see you at one of our club nights 480GT when the Volvo is on the road again. Drop me a line and I'll send you the details. Here's a link to the club's site . . . https://www.whitehorse-cve.com
Best wishes,
Darren
10th Mar 2023 2:40 pm
Jong0211
Member Since: 07 Feb 2021
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 98
Was this easy to do or is it Indy only?
1st Apr 2023 5:57 pm
darrind
Member Since: 04 Jul 2008
Location: In A World of My Own!
Posts: 2863
Easy fix - I did mine with a syringe of quick dry Araldyte epoxy from Amazon for about a fiver. Just takes a bit of manoeuvring to see and apply in the right spot then leave it over night to fully harden. Just search for steering angle sensor there’s plenty of postsMust stop buying shiny toys....
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