ALW Motor Vehicle Engineering​

A massive section and requiring a website of its own really !

 

The Freelander 1 was one of the first vehicles to use electronics to provide the following systems:

 

• Engine management

• Body electrical system coordination Central Control Unit (CCU) - e.g windows, central locking, wipers, interior lamp delay, lights on alarm, tailgate window etc.

• Anti-theft and immobilisation - uses both CCU and a separate immobiliser module

• Airbag control

• Remote control entry and locking

• Diagnostic facility - to aid fault finding

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This is all fine except that the more complex a system is the more there is to go wrong ! The above photo shows the contents of the rear door electrics.

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It also means that you can't just get a new remote fob, it has to be coded, you can't just get a new key cut it has to have a chip inside the key programmed otherwise it won't start the car etc.

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This leads to changing expensive items and / or using dealerships to replace such parts. By careful choice and with knowledge, second hand parts can sometimes be used to reduce the cost.

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Changing complete units is not always necessary and there are components that can fail and be changed without throwing the whole unit away.

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Electric windows are useful but can fail either due to motors / switches or due to the cables breaking or wearing out. Again, re-cabling a window mechanism is a good way of reducing costs.

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Most bulbs, light units are interchangeable. Pre 2001 vehicles had different colour rear bumper mounted lights and facelift vehicles also have different light units.

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