Member Since: 01 Jan 2005
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 655
Hand Brake Failure (urgent)
My wife has just rung (7.15pm Monday evening) to say that the D3 handbrake red warning light is flashing on. I told her to stop the car and get the kids out then check to see if rear wheels are hot> She has confirmed that indeed the rear wheels v hot and v smelly. The great thing is she is 90 miles away in Grasmere and I am at home, LR assistance are busy as anything (Bhol Monday evening !). My question is, does the emergency handbreak release cable help here or is this a hopeless situation ?Disco 4 TDV6HSE
Defender 200TDi CSW
RR Evoque
29th May 2006 7:35 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
I would imagine the emergency release would help... but... if the car moves then the brakes are not fully on. Mine will not budge with the hand brake applied.
I would say its worth a try though. Also try the trick in the manual for setting the D3 up to NOT apply the hand brake when the ignition is turned off.
Good luck and hope they all get home OK.
In case your book is in the car...
As this operation removes the static braking
on the vehicle, chocks must be placed on both
sides of one of the wheels or the foot brake
must be applied before releasing the cable.
This could take considerable physical effort
Using a suitable tool such as a screwdriver, lift
out the coin tray situated on the opposite side
of the gear shift lever from the parkbrake; this
reveals a stirrup cable end. Attach the jack
handle to the cable loop, insert the screwdriver
shaft into the jack handle and pull to release the
parkbrake cable.
Once the failure conditions have been
corrected, the parkbrake switch must be
applied to reinstate normal function.
If the vehicle is used in severe off-road
conditions such as wading, deep mud, etc,
additional maintenance and adjustment of the
parkbrake will be required. Consult your Land
Rover Dealer/Authorised Repairer
29th May 2006 7:50 pm
Penguin
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
eurm...
the handrake on a DIII is like most LR's on the propelor shaft (No ??)
It is normal that when driving and so short after stopping the brakes and discs are hot (there is always some friction)
The smell is indeed from the parkbrake, and 9/10 it thought the car stopped (eg at a red light) and wanted to squize the park brake, only not all the way
Driving again gives the error, and the smell
BTW: You can use the parkbrake lever as an emergency brake system.
Whilst driving and pulling the lever, it will NOT activate the parkbrake, but the ABS system to stop the carIn a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin. www.m-release.com
29th May 2006 8:20 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18456
Penguin, I can confidently state that the handbrake on the D3 acts on the rear wheels only - ask AndrewS how I know
29th May 2006 8:22 pm
10forcash
Member Since: 09 Jun 2005
Location: Ubique
Posts: 16534
Penguin, the Disco3 park brake is a set of brake shoes that utilises the inside of the rear discs as a drum brake, there is no driveline brake
It's possible that this fault is caused by low battery voltage or contamination of the park brake linings by mud etc. there is a bedding in procedure to be used after mud wading available on GTR
29th May 2006 8:24 pm
Smarticus
Member Since: 01 Jan 2005
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 655
OK, situation report at 8.30pm is that wife, bless her, has managed to find the release wire (or at least I think that is what she found ) inside the plate at the back of the handbrake lever. A tug on that (not too hard as only by hand) has apparently released something (noise heard from rear wheel area when cable pulled) and now vehicle is rolling along on tickover in drive without any sign of brake binding. Message centre says "Handbrake inoperative". LR Assistance say they will now be there in an hour but from the sound of it it is a local garage on its way not a specialist. Kid & wife getting off, cold and wet (sudden down pour a few minutes ago). Debating whether to stay put, drive gently back to cottage in Ambleside or drive home..... decisions, decisions Disco 4 TDV6HSE
Defender 200TDi CSW
RR Evoque
29th May 2006 8:32 pm
Penguin
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
Then how come the park brake is so fragile for water and mud?In a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin. www.m-release.com
29th May 2006 8:32 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
iain,
whats the tech note number for that ? newer had an issue post mud driving yet.
-s
29th May 2006 8:33 pm
Smarticus
Member Since: 01 Jan 2005
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 655
Well local tow truck turned up and said they knew nothing about D3's, culdn't tow her anywhere as no garages open, looked amazed when wife showed him that she had operated the "release wire" then he followed her back to Ambleside. Plan is to ring LR Assist again in morning.
Just wondering if this is the result of an adventurous day out at Dunkeld a few weekend's ago. The water didn't look too muddy there though .....
Oh the joys of LR ownership.Disco 4 TDV6HSE
Defender 200TDi CSW
RR Evoque
29th May 2006 9:10 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
Glad they are all OK.
Doubt its adventure related... mine has been fine after many mud baths.
well i did the same as you and my hand brake is ok must be something elseHome of RLD Hidden winch mounts Spare wheel Locks Trailer Body Fabrication [email protected] D3/4 sump plates MY 14 sump plates and the Discovery Sport wheel protectors Discovery 5 wheel locks
more Helsport tents and other things for camping Law of Mechanical Repair:
"After your hands are coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee!"
29th May 2006 10:11 pm
10forcash
Member Since: 09 Jun 2005
Location: Ubique
Posts: 16534
simon wrote:
whats the tech note number for that ? newer had an issue post mud driving yet.
-s
Not a TSB, part of the workshop manual section
29th May 2006 10:27 pm
leigh
Member Since: 23 Feb 2006
Location: Co. Durham
Posts: 43
I think something is iffy. I'm 15 stone and 6ft 2", it took me all of my strength to manually release the handbrake when my car broke down. How on earth did your missus manage?Standing on the shoulders of Giants.
Java Black HSE, Side steps, privicy glass, tow bar and roof bars.
31st May 2006 2:14 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
) inside the plate at the back of the handbrake lever. A tug on that (not too hard as only by hand) has apparently released something (noise heard from rear wheel area when cable pulled) and now vehicle is rolling along on tickover in drive without any sign of brake binding. Message centre says "Handbrake inoperative". LR Assistance say they will now be there in an hour but from the sound of it it is a local garage on its way not a specialist. Kid & wife getting 
off, cold and wet (sudden down pour a few minutes ago). Debating whether to stay put, drive gently back to cottage in Ambleside or drive home..... decisions, decisions 
