Member Since: 14 Jul 2019
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 26
Disco 4 2014 - Checking oil level - not available
Hi all,
I have a LR Discovery 4 2014 HSE. Every time I try to check the oil level - it displays "Not available".
After more research and reading all relevant topics on this forum, I can't find a conclusive advice what to do in my situation.
Here is what I have tried:
1. Checking the oil level after driving and shutting down the engine, waiting 10, 15 and 20 minutes. "Not available"
2. Tried the "workshop mode" approach - opened the bonnet and driver's door / closed everything, pressing "Cruise cancel" button etc - "Not available". One additional note - when I am at the oil level display, pressing the "Cruise cancel" button doesn't do anything, but my understanding is that it should exit from that screen - is this correct? I suspect I am doing something wrong here.
Additional notes:
- It has a "start/stop" function, but it never worked. This fact doesn't bother me, however it may be an indication of a problem.
- When I was cleaning the car I left it with all doors open for around 20 minutes - it complained about low battery. Can this be an indication of a worn battery?
What I want to try next:
1. Check the battery voltage - both with engine on and off. Btw, where is the second small battery located?
2. Should I try a hard reset? No idea how it would behave on the "start/stop" engine auxiliary battery.
3. Find a workshop with a diagnostic tool to check the engine oil level - I have cheapskate OBD scanner, but it doesn't seem to be able to read this value.
4. Reading other topics on this forum, it looks like there may be an oil leak which can damage the oil level sensor - do you know where exactly it is located so I can inspect it?
Thank you for reading, any comments are welcome
24th Jul 2019 10:51 am
Famousfive
Member Since: 12 Aug 2014
Location: Southampton
Posts: 1831
Quote:
1. Checking the oil level after driving and shutting down the engine, waiting 10, 15 and 20 minutes. "Not available"
that sounds like you are doing it right ... but sure way is to do all of this before you start the engine in the morning (or afternoon )Stolen - D4 Loire Blue
D4 Bali Blue
24th Jul 2019 12:24 pm
riverblanche
Member Since: 31 Aug 2010
Location: retford'ish
Posts: 2227
Hi and welcome
use the search button for "Marsie" or just use the "new posts" button he is just talking about the same thing
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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24th Jul 2019 7:31 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8227
If the ss does not work and no ss eco light comes on you are ready for a new main battery.
If the ss does not work and the ss eco light comes on you need a new auxiliary (small) battery. It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
24th Jul 2019 7:52 pm
marsie
Member Since: 28 Feb 2010
Location: Sheffieldish
Posts: 1807
Just to add.I have bought a new sensor for mine for just over £40 and plugged it in to the external plug and measurement is now available. Unfortunately to replace the sensor requires the entire sump to be removed which the book time is 5 hours (at £180 per hour stealership rates ) which means if you also change the small wiring loom adds up to a grand total of over £1000
No doubt the indy garages on here could do the job much cheaper but it will still be a very pricey job for something that on any other car would be straightforward
Going to use my IID tool to check the level regularly until there is a need to strip the car for other workPrevious Discos
1989 200tdi 3dr
1994 300tdi ES
1995 3.9 ES (x3)
2000 4.0 adventurer
2001 4.0 ES
2005 D3 HSE (zambesi silver)
2007 D3 SE (Lugano teal)
2011 D4 XS (Baltic Blue)
2008 D3 HSE PREMIUM (buckingham blue)
2009 D4 XS (Nara bronze)
2006 D3 Metropolis (Java Black)
2012my D4 HSE (indus silver)
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Current 2017 D5 first edition (silicone silver)
25th Jul 2019 12:10 am
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8227
Cheaper to fit a dipstick It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
25th Jul 2019 6:23 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26774
My only concern with this, is how does the iid tool read the level of the oil if the sensor is out of order? Is it just a calculated guess based on miles?
Maybe get yourself an oil extraction pump, suck it out, measure and put it back? That would give you ultimate peace of mind. Hopefully not too messy or slow.
25th Jul 2019 6:37 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73085
Oh for a simple tube with bit of metal down to the sump level. Though that obviously doesn’t keep dealers in the manner etc.
25th Jul 2019 6:51 am
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1668
On my MY16, small stop/start battery (which just keeps things running when the engine is “stopped” is in the plastic case on the drivers side (opposite side to main battery).
Good luck
CheersGary
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Discovery 4 HSE 2016MY
25th Jul 2019 7:39 am
artiom
Member Since: 14 Jul 2019
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 26
M3DPO wrote:
If the ss does not work and no ss eco light comes on you are ready for a new main battery.
If the ss does not work and the ss eco light comes on you need a new auxiliary (small) battery.
This may explain why my start/stop doesn't work.
Here are the battery test results I did with a simple multimeter:
Main battery: engine off=12.43v; engine on=14.20v
Aux battery: engine off=12.95v; engine on=14.71v
Judging by the service history, the main battery was never replaced (it's approx 5.5 years old) and the aux battery was replaced half of year ago - so it is brand new.
Now, the question is - can the main battery with a barely acceptable charge cause issues with the oil level check? (I think 12.4v is the recommended minimum). Maybe it is worth to try and charge the main battery and see how it will behave... also I didn't check how well the battery holds the charge - perhaps I should turn the ignition ON and then check the voltage, under load it may be even lower.
25th Jul 2019 2:29 pm
DrRobH
Member Since: 10 Oct 2015
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 927
At 5.5 years I’d be tempted to change that main battery....Visitor from fullfatrr.com
RR Vogue SE 2011 4.4 TDV8
1974 Lightweight
25th Jul 2019 4:42 pm
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1668
Nothing to lose by charging up the main battery. I don’t consider that battery reading that low. There is a forum item on here about voltages and what that means for charge levels. Of course that might need to be interpreted with the unprecedented temperatures at present.
CheersGary
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Discovery 4 HSE 2016MY
25th Jul 2019 4:50 pm
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1668
Link to forum item where resting voltage and battery charge capacity are explained. Hope it’s useful
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8227
Lowish battery will not effect oil level reading unless it is below 9v, then it is flat.
You are only checking VOLTS, it is AMPS you need to crank the engine.
Oil level reading is only accessible when the oil is below a certain temp, not time, yesterday ambient temp was so high I burnt my lip on a pop bottle. Leave the car longer before you check or before first starting
Oil like any liquid expands when hot and will give a false reading.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
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)
) which means if you also change the small wiring loom adds up to a grand total of over £1000 
