Cold weather transmission failure

simonwinchester · Jan 7, 2018

MY LR4, 35k miles on the clock, failed to proceed this morning, the coldest day of the year so far - minus 10 degrees F, though the car is in an unheated barn.

A "Transmission Fault" message was displayed, and the lights on the selector would flash on-and-off as I scrolled through them.

I am imagining that the low temperature caused the lubrication inside the gearbox to become unmanageably viscous. Others may have more informed suggestions.

I have been wondering for some time whether to buy a Land Cruiser instead. But I have been loyal to LRs for thirty years, and am reluctant to desert the marque.

Any comments - other than Take it to the Dealer, which I plan to do tomorrow.

Thanks so much.

Frank8 · Jan 7, 2018

Either that or a computer went wonky. I suspect the computer.

We were negative 25 this AM and my nav didn’t turn on. When it finally did the monitor was very washed out and didn’t brighten until everything warmed up. The “eco” quit also

I sorta find it hard to believe that -10 would increase thé viscosity so much that it would seize up.

Have you tried letting the engine run until it got to normal temp? That oughta warm the tranny. Or cycle thru the gears with paddles?

NASdiesel · Jan 12, 2018

It is definitely ecu/electronic management/battery low voltage at startup related, not frozen fluid or trans failure. I drive both and LR3 and Lr4, both have had interesting strange reactions to the multiple days of negative temps. Mostly suspension faults at startup or errant messages that clear.

ktm525 · Jan 12, 2018

Both my LR3 and LR4 have never experienced this and they are routinely subjected to cold starts down to -35C (-31F). Both the engine oil and transmission fluid are synthetic, they don't thicken up to the same extent as oils of yore.

Marc L · Jan 21, 2019

We have -30 degree weather here and my 08 LR3 just gave "transmission fault (fauilure?) - HDC failure special programs not available" msg after driving for 10-15min in "snow mode" is there an actual problem or is it extreme cold ? anyone else have this issue ?? Thanks

(recently had the starter replaced and some dead brake lights)

PaulLR3 · Jan 21, 2019

Our old LR3 did the same thing in -25 in VT. Drove for about 5 minutes, restarted and all was fine again. I think the cold froze the ECU and the transmission was fine.

ktm525 · Jan 21, 2019

-10 is not cold. Low voltage likely. Regularly operate in -30 with no issues and a strong battery

Marc L · Jan 21, 2019

Started the car today and let it sit idle for about 10 min and drove it without any issue. Supposed to warm up here next week. We’ll see if the issue goes away.

Fuji4 · Jan 22, 2019

My vote is battery.

jlach993 · Jan 22, 2019

Deff not mechanical, don't worry about that.

Cold weather transmission failure

simonwinchester

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Frank8

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NASdiesel

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ktm525

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Marc L

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PaulLR3

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ktm525

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Marc L

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