Hill Decent Noise and Susp Fault

[Mrossfly]

I just had my new (600 Miles)2006 lr3 off road for first time. When using the hill decent I would hear an loud grinding noise if I had my food off the accelerator. After reading other threads on this issue some responders say that this noise is normal while others do not hear noise. The dealership would not comment without my making an appointment to see car. Anyone know for sure if fairly significant grinding noise is "normal"?

Other problem I encountered was a suspension fault which mentioned need to cool down and keep speed under 30 mph. This dissapeared over time.

Thoughts/comments appreciated.

 

[askewed]

HDC makes noise...

You need a compressor...

 

[Houm_WA]

Yes, HDC is making a noise that is associated with the use of the anti-lock brake system. ...totally normal. Sounds like your service department is ********. Did the little amber fault light come on when you got your suspension messages? Did it ever turn Red? If it turned Red then the computer probably logged a fault code and the service department can tell you the problem precisely the problem....except that they're ******** so maybe not !

The Owner's Manual does make mention of "Suspension Raising Slowly" and "System Cooling" types of messages so I don't know that it's all that abnormal...what were you doing to cause that? Were you going up and down like crazy?

Also, didn't you test drive an LR3 before you bought this one? I would think your salesperson would've demonstrated HDC for you at that time.

 

[Mrossfly]

Regarding the Hill decent, I knew it would make some noise, but that metalic grinding sound was more than I expected. Unfortunately salesman never took me for a drive...my bad...I should have insisted.

Actually i wasn't even using the height adjustment during that episode. I was traveling on paved mountain roads in the Catskills at 30-50 mph. I did have a bunch of gear in the cargo area, perhaps the road leveling came into play. I will be interested to see what the dealer says about the message...but I get the sense they will not be very informative.

 

[davez26]

Unfortunately salesman never took me for a drive...my bad...I should have insisted.

Not to hijack the thread, but you shouldn't have to insist, it is part of the delivery process. It just burns me when an owner perceives an "issue" that turns out to be normal and should have been covered @ delivery. Bad salesguide. Have him flogged. Now, back to the thread:
The suspension shouldn't be all that active @ speed, sounds like something is amiss. I hope the Service Department can get it handled.

 

[Houm_WA]

Mross, you still answer my other question...what sort of icons lit up? If it was just a "raising slowly" or "system cooling" message in the info center then I'm not sure I'd call it a fault per se.

Your salesman should've instinctively taken you on a test drive so as to let the LR3 sell itself !! The first time I felt HDC I thought it was cool as ****...and the first time I worked my way through the gears in Command Shift I was sold.

 

[Mrossfly]

I did get a red indicator warning that there was a fault and something about the system cooling and not to drive over 30 mph. Hopefully on my first service they can let me know what that was.

I went to the dealership last night and met the salesmanager. I mentioned the letter my salesman sent me notifying me that I will be receiving a customer satisfaction survey afterwhich I explained situation and my frustration. She took a ride with me and confirmed that the decent sound was normal. As to the suspention fault she felt OK to wait till first service (unless it happens again).

 

[Michael]

I don't think I believe any salesperson or service person when they give you the old "They all do that" speech. I think in your case, though, they probably do. One of the magazines described the banging and grinding noise Hill Decent Control made when engaged, as something you'd probably hear as the Titanic was going down.

Michael

 

[Houm_WA]

Forget what they tell you and listen to what we're telling you on this board...the HDC is fine.

Here is my suggestion with respect to the suspension fault: Take it in sooner rather than later....I am not sure how long the computer will store the fault code. If the icon turned Red then the LR3 definitely stored a code and your service guys can plug in and get a diagnosis. If you wait, you risk the code being erased over time.

Or don't...it's your peace of mind.

 

[trm2]

I recently tested my hill descent control on a vacation in Canada.

It worked like a charm.

And was nearly silent.

Not sure why people are hearing grinding. There is no technical reason why there should be grinding.

How steep are the descents on which people are hearing grinding?