Member Since: 28 Jul 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 121
Hesitation with MY12 8speed
There is a thread on this forum that discussed the periodic hesitation when accelerating from stopped or slow moving situation. It was supposedly a known fault with this model/year and a software update was released to solve it....which it apparently did for several members.
Well ...I've got this problem and my local dealership are denying all knowledge of such a software fix. In fact they aren't even entertaining having a look at what software version I have.
Is there some reference, software version number, or anything I can wave in front of them? Or do I have to keep trying dealers further and further afield to find someone who knows about it?
Also, how long would it take to check and update this software?
Thanks in advance.
16th Dec 2015 2:12 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
It takes minutes to check the software and to update it.
You can pay for access on Topix to see all the relevant TSBs. If the dealer has made a mistake then I would expect them to repay this access fee.
If your vehicle is out of warranty then the fix will not be free.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 01 Oct 2015
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 914
I'm not near my D4 just now so can't check this for myself. Is this gearbox software something that the IID tool can do?D1 300Tdi - gone
D2 Td5 ES (Alive remapped...mmm) - sadly gone
D4 2012 SDV6 XS - Stolen
D4 2014 SDV6 HSE - Shiny
16th Dec 2015 2:38 pm
Wolfpack
Member Since: 28 Jul 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 121
Well I am prepared to pay for it to stop the uncertainty, if I could find someone to do it! I attempted to do a quick pull out in traffic last week and the car just froze for almost a second...very unnerving an embarrassing.
16th Dec 2015 2:39 pm
xcentric
Member Since: 01 Apr 2015
Location: Shropshire, UK
Posts: 1081
could you not ask to sit with the dealer whilst they show you the service bulletins on this and demonstrate to you that there isn't one.... hang on, maybe there is..... oh, sorry, sir.....?
but I have the same issue and despite it going back it's not quite sorted, will be asking them to update it and check when it has its next service.
/offtopicbutrelated Can the IIDtool pull out the software version installed?
16th Dec 2015 2:55 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26776
Member Since: 28 Jul 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 121
My local dealership is like fort nox. You have two girls on the service desk who's main job is to block communication with mechanics. They booked my car in for a full day ...to look at this problem...on 24th! They now emailed me to say they weren't working after lunch...having just discovered it's Christmas Eve.
16th Dec 2015 3:03 pm
maplecottage
Member Since: 01 Feb 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3171
xcentric wrote:
Can the IIDtool pull out the software version installed?
Yes it can - the ECU's report will detail all software versions and variants installed on your current car.
16th Dec 2015 3:57 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
My current gearbox software, with the hesitation fix applied:
Click image to enlarge
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8230
I have upgraded my D3 GB to the latest software available with the Iid tool and GAP's fast lane system took about 3 hours from first contacting them, actual flash took 6mins and cost £25 and if it is found you have the latest software already installed you will be refunded.
It is also supposedly part of a service that any software update is installed.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
16th Dec 2015 5:14 pm
Rixy
Member Since: 12 Oct 2012
Location: Poole
Posts: 54
Since I bought my 2012 HSE I have complained of hesitation to my dealer. At my last service in September he advised that the gearbox software update had been applied previously (I wouldn’t know how to check this without a software tool).
The hesitation remains and my dealer explained, possibly truthfully, that the reason for this is as follows: The gearbox does not select the lowest gear when stopping at a junction which is fine for a gentle take-off. However when hitting the throttle hard the gearbox then changes down one or more gears before engaging the drive. This certainly seems to be borne out by the facts as there is a delay before the car sets off like a scalded cat. The same occurs when joining high speed traffic from a slip road. When “booting it” to slot into a gap the car takes it’s time changing down before accelerating hard.
As both of these situations can lead to dangerous situations I always mean to grab a handful of manual paddle or at least select S before such manoeuvres.
Other manufacturers seemed to have solved this problem. Perhaps they employ double plate clutches which possibly change gear quicker or preselect lower gears in case a quick change is required.
16th Dec 2015 11:01 pm
Wolfpack
Member Since: 28 Jul 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 121
Well that's all a bit depressing.
When it last happened to me I was stationery at a junction trying to cross two lines of continuous traffic with no one prepared to let me across. I saw a gapin both lanes and went for it... Hesitation!
Got across ok but I suspect the oncoming drivers eased off and thought ..."what a doddery old fool". It was a lot closer than it should have been and I confess it spooked me. Never experienced this sort of lethargy in other makes I have owned.
You shouldn't HAVE to take manual control in a simple scenario like that.
16th Dec 2015 11:20 pm
SteveNorman
Member Since: 14 Oct 2005
Location: Somerset
Posts: 1146
Usually the latest software and just as importantly an adaptions reset will cure quite a few niggles with the eight speed changes.
Regards
Steve
17th Dec 2015 5:56 am
Rixy
Member Since: 12 Oct 2012
Location: Poole
Posts: 54
I know that some people are less impatient than I am and are happy to wait at junctions until a huge gap in the traffic appears. I also know that when pulling out into fast moving traffic from a slip road some people don’t accelerate hard causing all sorts of problems behind them but when I press the accelerator to the floor, especially with potentially 255 bhp under my foot even in a 3 ton vehicle, I would like it to respond urgently. This the Discovery 4 does not do.
I consider the delay which I estimate to be between a half and a full second (and in the latter time a vehicle closes by approx 30 yards at 60 mph) to be more than a “niggle”. However as there is nothing I can do about it I have had to modify my driving technique to accommodate the lack of response.
Yes I have reset the gearbox but as I have had the car from new if it hasn’t adapted to my driving style by now then that’s another part of the gearbox software that is not working! What the LR dealer said makes a lot of sense but I would love to know how other manufacturers have solved this issue. Certainly my friends Mercedes does not seem to exhibit any delay.
Does anyone suffer this problem once their D4 has been upgraded to the latest software, had the adaptions reset and drive, or at least take off from rest, in Sport Mode?
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
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