Repair Operation Details
(Or: What the shop manual doesn't tell you!)
RR at Darwin


The pages on Common Classic Range Rover Problems and Fixes, Common Range Rover 4.0/4.6 Problems and Fixes  and Common Mk III Range Rover Problems and Fixes cover symptoms and quick fixes for many of the things that frequently go wrong. This page is intended to cover more complex repair operations that require more detail, with tips supplementing the shop manual.


Classic                    (1970-1995)

4.0/4.6/P38             (1995-2002)

Mk III/L322/4.4    (June 2002 & up)



More Information







Classic                 (1970-1995)

Common Problems & Fixes -- Summary of most common symptoms & solutions

Detailed Repair Descriptions:
Air Conditioning & Heating
Body Electrics
Body Mechanical, Doors, Sunroof
Braking System
Computer Diagnostics & Scan Tools
Electrics: Power Distribution, Starting & Charging, Lighting
Engine Cooling
Engine Management System
Engine Mechanical
Exhaust
Fuel Delivery
Instruments & Controls
Restraint Systems
Sound System
Steering
Suspension
Transmission & Drivetrain
Wipe & Wash




Air Conditioning & Heating

Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement
Air Conditioning Conversion to R134a (Classic)
Air Suspension Compressor Diagnosis & Replacement (4.0/4.6)

Body Electrics
Seat Controls: Switch Cleaning (Classic)

Body Mechanical
Door Panel Removal (Classic)
Headliner Repair and Replacement (All)
Tailgate Rust - Repair (Classic)

Braking System
ABS Diagnostics (1990 -2001)
Brake Bleeding Shortcut (Pre-ABS Classic)
Brake Bleeding (ABS Models)

Computer Diagnostics & Scan Tools
Computer Code Scan Tools

Electrics: Power Distribution, Starting & Charging, Lighting
Alternator Symptoms, Diagnosis and Rebuild (All)
Battery Replacement Shortcut (4.0/4.6)
Starter Motor Replacement (Classic)

Engine Cooling
Water Pump Replacement (4.0/4.6)

Engine Ignition & EFI
Ignition Amplifier Module (Classic)
Ignition Mechanical Advance Mechanism (Classic)

Engine Mechanical

Engine Mount Replacement (Classic, 4.0/4.6)
Head Gasket Diagnosis (Classic, 4.0/4.6)

Exhaust
Catalytic Converter Rattle Repair (All)
Exhaust Rattle Repairs (All)

Fuel Delivery
Fuel Pump Access, Replace, Rebuild (Classic)
Fuel Level Sender (Classic)

Instruments & Controls
Check Engine, Service Engine, &
        EFI Lights (Functions & Resetting) Classic, 4.0/4.6)
Gauge Pointer Lights (Classic)
Oil Light Diagnosis and Repair (Classic)

Restraint Systems

Sound System

Steering
Power Steering Box Replacement/Rebuild (Classic)
 
Suspension
Air Suspension Disabling (4.0/4.6)
Air Suspension Manual Operation
Air Suspension Re-Plumbing for Manual Pump up
Air Suspension Valve Block Repairs
Air Spring Replacement (Classic, 4.0/4.6)
Air Spring Replacement (Bladder Only) (Classic, 4.0/4.6)
Air Spring Temporary Repair with Wood Block
Coil Spring Replacement (Classic)
Suspension Bushing Replacement (Classic, 4.0/4.6)

Transmission & Drivetrain
Front Axle Outer Seal (Classic)
Transfer Case Shifter Stuck in High (Classic)
Transmission Diagnosis/Repair (Classic, 4.0/4.6)
Transmission Seal Replacement

Wipe & Wash

























4.0/4.6/P38          (1995-2002)

Common Problems and Fixes: Summary of Most Common Symptoms & Solutions

Detailed Repair Descriptions:
Body Electrics
Body Mechanical, Doors, Sunroof
Braking System
Climate Control
Computer Diagnostics & Scan Tools
Electrics: Power Distribution, Starting & Charging, Lighting
Engine Cooling
Engine Ignition, EFI & Management System
Engine Mechanical
Exhaust
Fuel Delivery
Instruments & Controls
Restraint Systems
Sound System
Steering
Suspension
Transmission & Drivetrain
Wipe & Wash


Body Electrics

Door Lock Failure: Getting the Door Open (4.0/4.6)
Door Lock Failure: Replacing the Latch (4.0/4.6)
Fuel Filler Lid Switch Fixes (4.0/4.6)
Key/Remote Problems and Solutions (4.0/4.6)

Body Mechanical, Doors, Sunroof
Bumper Removal (4.0/4.6)
Brush Bar Removal (4.0/4.6)
Center Console Side Panel Removal (4.0/4.6)
Door Lock Failure: Getting the Door Open (4.0/4.6)
Door Lock Failure: Replacing the Latch (4.0/4.6)
Headliner Repair and Replacement (All)

Braking System
ABS Diagnostics (1990 -2001)
Brake Bleeding (ABS Models)

Climate Control
Air Conditioning Display Backlighting (4.0/4.6)
Climate Control Display Backlighting (4.0/4.6)
Heater Blend Motors Diagnosis and Replacement (4.0/4.6)
Heater Core O-Ring Replacement (4.0/4.6)

Heater/Ventilation/Air Conditioning Display & Control Backlighting (4.0/4.6)

Computer Diagnostics & Scan Tools
Computer Code Scan Tools

Electrics: Power Distribution, Starting & Charging, Lighting
Alternator Symptoms, Diagnosis and Rebuild (All)
Battery Replacement Shortcut (4.0/4.6)
Fuse Box Repair (4.0/4.6)

Engine Cooling
Radiator Replacement (4.0/4.6)
Water Pump Replacement (4.0/4.6)

Engine Ignition, EFI & Management System
Ignition Coil Diagnosis and Replacement (4.0/4.6)

Engine Mechanical
Engine Mount Replacement (Classic, 4.0/4.6)
Serpentine Belt Replacement (4.0/4.6)

Exhaust
Catalytic Converter Rattle Repair (All)
Exhaust Rattle Repairs (All)
Muffler & Tailpipe/Resonator Removal, Replacement, Upgrades (4.0/4.6)

Fuel Delivery
Fuel Filler Lid Switch Fixes (4.0/4.6)
Fuel Pump Access, Replace, Rebuild (4.0/4.6)

Instruments & Controls
Center Console Side Panel Removal (4.0/4.6)
Check Engine, Service Engine, &
        EFI Lights (Functions & Resetting) Classic, 4.0/4.6)
Climate Control Display Backlighting (4.0/4.6)
Fascia Switch Pack Repair (4.0/4.6)
Instrument Panel/Binnacle Removal (4.0/4.6)
Instrument Binnacle Backlight Bulb Replacement (4.0/4.6)
Message Center/Odometer Display Backlighting (4.0/4.6)

Restraint Systems

Sound System
Radio Repair including LCD Backlight Replacement (4.0/4.6)

Steering

Suspension
Air Suspension Diagnosis and Field Repair (Classic, 4.0/4.6)
Air Suspension Compressor Diagnosis & Replacement (4.0/4.6)
Air Suspension Disabling (4.0/4.6)
Air Suspension Manual Operation
Air Suspension Re-Plumbing for Manual Pump up
Air Suspension Valve Block Repairs
Air Spring Replacement (Classic, 4.0/4.6)
Air Spring Replacement (Bladder Only) (Classic, 4.0/4.6)
Air Spring Temporary Repair with Wood Block
Shock Replacement (4.0/4.6)
Suspension Bushing Replacement (Classic, 4.0/4.6)

Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission Diagnosis/Repair (Classic, 4.0/4.6)
Transmission Seal Replacement

Wipe & Wash
Windshield Washer System (4.0/4.6)





















Mk III/L322/4.4 (June 2002 & up)

Common Problems and Fixes: Summary of Most Common Symptoms & Solutions

Detailed Repair Descriptions:

Body Electrics
Body Mechanical, Doors, Sunroof
Braking System
Climate Control
Computer Diagnostics & Scan Tools
Electrics: Power Distribution, Starting & Charging, Lighting
Engine Cooling
Engine Management System
Engine Mechanical
Exhaust
Fuel Delivery
Instruments & Controls
Restraint Systems
Sound System
Steering
Suspension
Transmission & Drivetrain
Wipe & Wash




Body Electrics


Body Mechanical, Doors, Sunroof
Headliner Repair and Replacement

Braking System
Brake Bleeding

Climate Control

Computer Diagnostics & Scan Tools
Computer Code Scan Tools

Electrics: Power Distribution, Starting & Charging, Lighting
Alternator Symptoms, Diagnosis and Rebuild
Battery Replacement Shortcut

Engine Cooling

Engine Ignition, EFI & Management System

Engine Mechanical
Head Gasket Diagnosis

Exhaust
Catalytic Converter Rattle Repair
Exhaust Rattle Repairs

Fuel Delivery

Instruments & Controls

Restraint Systems

Sound System

Steering

Suspension
Air Suspension Description, Operation, Main Components and Failure Modes
Air Suspension ECU Operation and Reaction to Faults
Air Suspension Re-Plumbing for Manual Pump up
Air Spring Replacement (Classic, 4.0/4.6, similar to Mk III))
Air Spring Replacement (Bladder Only) (Classic, 4.0/4.6, similar to Mk III Rear)
Air Spring Temporary Repair with Wood Block (4.0/4.6, similar to Mk III)

Transmission & Drivetrain


Wipe & Wash

























Return to Top
More Information

See also the pages on
Common Range Rover Problems and Fixes, and
Range Rover 4.0/4.6 Problems and Fixes (These cover "how-tos" on many of the routine service operations and the things that most often go wrong).
Maintenance Operation Details covers operations that are part of swcheduled routine maintenance
Parts Sources -- low cost and generic helps you find the parts you need.
Mechanical and Electrical Upgrades (Upgrading the Range Rover mechanicals)
RR Suspension Details and Mods
Air Suspension Symptoms, Diagnosis and Field Recovery/Repair
Range Rover Tires

Other sources of info:
Andy Cunningham's P38A Maintenance and Repair pages
Rangie.com Classic repair articles
Air Suspension Problems (Classic)
ATP Electronic Developments Ltd (Remanufactured EFI parts)
BeCM Symptoms (4.0/4.6) by Car Electronic Services
Coolant Renewal (Spanish Trail Rover Club)
CV Joint Replacement (Classic) Spanish Trail Rover Club
East Coast Rover (Coil spring conversions, ECU upgrades, new & rebuilt engines)
ECU/Airflow Meter Symptoms (Range Rover Register)
EFI Diagnostics and ECU rebuilding (Car Electronic Services)
Emergency Procedures (Some info from ETS Manual, from LR Club of Luxembourg)
Fuel Filter Replacement (Spanish Trail Rover Club
Great Basin Rovers (Differential gear sets)
Hub and Axle Repair Details (1990 Classic) by Greg Haugen
Import Parts Bin Usually the lowest cost parts source (click on "Rover"). See also their tech tips section.
MAD Mechanic (Motor And Diagnosis) a lot of useful diagnostic info for modern vehicles.
Rear Axle Leaks (Rovers North Tech Tip)
Robison Service (Range Rover service)
Rovers North (Parts and Service)
RPI Engineering (New and Rebuilt Rover V8 engines, 3.9 to 5.2 liters)
Service Bulletins  for Range Rovers (Listing by Alldata)
Shop Manuals available from www.books4cars.com
Tech Tips (Rovers North)
Tech Tips (Classic RR) from Atlantic British
The Care and Feeding of Range Rovers (Andy Dingley)
Wheel Bearing Maintenance (Rovers North Tech Tip)
Wheel Bearing Replacement (Spanish Trail Rover CLub Technical Section)

 

Return to Practical Range Rover Information


If you have comments, suggestions or experience to contribute, please email John Brabyn