Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2686
Transfer box module. D3 HSE 55Plate
Hi all.
I offered to take my youngest lad to work today to save him driving in the snow and it all went a bit pear shaped.
I warmed the car up using my BAS remote, then started the car, at which point I had a bong and a special programmes off message. Bu99er I thought, just as I might need it, but put it down to the battery being three years old. Although it was only 1deg and it’s been far colder recently.
After dropping him off I decided to try switching the ignition off and on as the car was warm and had done enough miles to get some extra oomph in the battery.
I was greeted by a multitude of warning lights, lots of bongs, and the suspension dropping a bit.
I drove home, and obviously checked the battery first. 14.3V with the engine running, and 12.6 with it off.
So I plugged in the Nanocom and read the codes.
All the fault codes were/are to do with ‘talking’ to the transfer case module, but the Nanocom was unable to actually read the codes, or clear the codes from the Transfer case.
I did check F24 fuse behind the glovebox first, but then whipped the battery out and removed the module to find it had a very tiny amount of water sat in the sockets where the connectors fit on the top, which I understand is a reasonably common issue.
I dried it all out then tried again, only to be greeted by the same bongs and error messages.
The Nanocom is also still unable to read or clear faults from the Transfer case module.
Next I tried to read the Transfer case ECU details and was greeted with:
HARDWARE NUMBER:N.A.
SERIAL NUMBER:N.A.
SOFTWARE NUMBER:N.A.
CALIBRATION DATA 2:N.A.
VIN NUMBER:N.A.
ASSEMBLY CORE NO:N.A.
ASSEMBLY PART NO:N.A.
DELIVERY ASSEMBLY NO:N.A.
SOFTWARE NUMBER 2:N.A.
BOOT SOFTWARE ID:N.A.
ACTIVE NETWORK CONF:N.A.
CALIBRATION PART NO:N.A.
CALIBRATION DATA 3:N.A.
SOFTWARE NUMBER 3:N.A.
So it looks like new, or used Transfer case module time.
Or at the very least try flashing data to the current one to see if it wakes up.
I’m obviously able to flash the data to a new module using the Nanocom when I get one, but I’ve now hit a stumbling block.
I obviously have no data to work from because I don’t have the data off the old one.
Note to self – Download the data off all the old ECUs.
I physically read the part number off the current module – NNW 504660.
But the Nanocom Genesis website where you can download the data for your VIN number only has data for the three later part numbers that supersede mine:
NNW 506 850
NNW 508 480
NNW 512 070
So I have a few questions.
Will I do any damage attempting to flash data from a later part number to my older module?
Is it even worth trying?
If I’m looking at buying a replacement module, I’m tempted to buy the latest version, which appears to be NNW 572 070, which I can download the data for, but will it ‘talk/work’ etc with the rest of the car?
It would appear easy to find a used module with the same part number as my current one, but then I can’t get the software for it.
HELP??
Thanks
Nasher.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
27th Dec 2017 3:32 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2686
Just tried to flash the software for the latest version to the module in the car, it didn't go well.
It got to a message on the Nanocom saying 'waking up the ECU', then everything shut down, the radio displayed a message saying 'system fault shutting down' and the hazard lights started flashing.
The Nanocom locked up, I left it ten minutes and it didn't change, so I pulled the plug and hoped for the best.
The car has gone back to how it was before I tried, and so has the Nanocom, so it looks like no damage done, but it's obviously struggling to communicate with the Module.
Can anyone advise please?
When flashing a file using the Nanocom it asks me to select the file, but not the ECU I want to flash to, then just goes straight to 'Start flashing' - is this correct?
Thanks
Nasher.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
27th Dec 2017 5:14 pm
annette
Member Since: 16 Dec 2017
Location: Tilarán
Posts: 66
Yes, that is what my faultmate does so Nanocom would be similar.
In IIDtool it checks first whether your software is up to date. Feels safer.
BTW in 'my' nightmare disco it is the same ECU, just checkedFixing LR problems very far from Solihull.
That's why my newest car is a 1999 Disco 2 V8 with 285.000 miles
The problem is the missing documentation, not the LR
27th Dec 2017 6:28 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2686
Thanks Annette
So I've discovered by trawling through old threads that if I'm lucky a used replacement module will plug in and work OK with just a VIN error when the codes are read, which I can live with.
I've also been looking at EBAY etc, and there are plenty of used modules around.
But I still have the choice.
Do I go with an early unit like I have, but without the option of being able to download the software.
Or do I go with a later unit that I can download the software for.
Can anyone confirm that a later D3 unit will be plug and play with just a VIN number error.?
Where's Flack or Disco Micky when you need them
NasherHeaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
27th Dec 2017 10:56 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10363
ecu behind the battery wet ?
if its like -2°C in the morning try starting it and see if you have no faults
27th Dec 2017 11:20 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2686
Managed to sort this today with a used replacement ECU from a local breaker.
It was the same early part number as the one already fitted, but once plugged in and all the fault codes had been cleared with the Nanocom the D3 was back to it's old self
I've not attempted to flash any later software to it.
Having looked at the ECU information using the Nanocom I can see that it's obviously got the wrong VIN number programmed in, but it's not actually generating a fault code to say it has.
Nasher.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
28th Dec 2017 6:16 pm
OJ
Member Since: 01 Oct 2017
Location: Loch Leven
Posts: 725
well done, good result.
28th Dec 2017 6:23 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
Result.
28th Dec 2017 6:47 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2686
Thanks Guys.
I've done just over 250 miles in the D3 today, and am convinced it's changing gears more smoothly than before, also that the standard D3 lag when pulling away from junctions has been reduced.
Obviously it's the Transfer case ECU that I've replaced, but as I was getting all sorts of Transmission and gearbox faults when it went down completely I'm now wondering if something hasn't been right for a while, and it was effecting the Autobox ECU.
NasherHeaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
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well done, good result. 
