Traction and Hill Descent Lights on? - Freelander1 - Quick Fix for “The Two Amigos”

A common problem that anybody can fix quickly, caused by a worn brake switch or a blown fuse. It’s a common problem on the Freelander1, but is cheap to fix with a new switch that takes about a minute to replace. Or a change of fuse. No collection of Freelander fixing videos would be complete without this one. It’s commonly refers to as the two Amigos, i.e. two lights on.
It’s often described on forums but just for completeness here is the fix video. The brake switch can be repaired as shown here. Sometimes there is a break that can be fixed by soldering (happened to me on another car) sometimes its just worn out as in this case. On this fix interestingly it was also caused by a blown fuse (F2 in drivers side inside fuse box) probably caused by a trailer attachment. Fuse hasn’t blown since being replaced. A new switch always seems to be best as even after fixing both the fuse and the brake switch the lights would just occasionally come on again. Changing the brake switch for a new one fixed it completely with no more lights.
There are other possible reasons for these lights, along with “the three amigos” of HDC, TC and ABS lights on. By far the most common fault is a worn brake switch but for more details and a look up table of indicated faults see this forum page: www.landyzone....
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[@mijmarley]

exact same thing, lights came on today, fuse was ok, opened the switch and a tiny round contact fell out, removed one metal connector strip and pushed the contact back in and soldered it in, refitted and lights went out after depressing the brake peddle, repair took ten mins, hardest bit was removing the plastic push rod , perfect thank you for the video

[@comeinhandynow]

Thanks. I actually did the same resoldering the bits back together when mine failed. It was ok for a while, but not before long the error came back and I’m not too bad at soldering either! I think the ecu is quite sensitive to the exact timing of the contacts. Hope yours lasts but at lest if it doesn’t the brake switch is very cheap. Mines still ok now,

[@Falconhunter276]

This is the most helpful video on this issue. One of many jobs i need to do on mine. Cheers

[@comeinhandynow]

Hope it helps. Cheers.

[@leegoodall6932]

Well done on the clear precise video, thank you very much.

[@comeinhandynow]

Thanks

[@39hatter]

Thanks! Couldn't get the piston out though by squeezing the ends together. Ended up cutting off the nipple at the end fixing the switch and glueing it back on with hot glue gun. Working fine. Will keep me going until the Modi switch arrives.

[@comeinhandynow]

Cheers. Well done.

[@39hatter]

Modified* not Modi!

[@ElHermanoDeFrank]

Hi. Thanks for posting. The brake lights on my 2002 Freelander 1 were on all the time. Took the switch out and stripped it down as per your instructions. Connections on the switch were badly pitted and one of the terminals had come lose, causing a short. Cleaned them up and re-assembled and the switch works again! Have ordered a new one to be safe, as it was less than £15 from fleabay. I've had issues with 2 of the 3 amigos coming on recently, so I'm hoping that fixing the switch will cure this as well! Thanks again for posting - much appreciated!

[@comeinhandynow]

Thanks and well done.

[@ianmockford3432]

The lights came on after I had connected trailer. Somehow I had managed to put the trailer connector in upside down. Thanks to your guide replaced the blown fuse F2, put in the connector the right way round and all good. Thank you.

[@comeinhandynow]

Great. Cheers.

[@geedee4]

amazed you managed to do such a great video in such a tight and awkward space!

[@comeinhandynow]

Thanks. Iphones are great for this.

[@ashy1423]

Thanks, this has been bugging me for about 6 months, so I’ll do it this weekend, I’d rather mend than buy a new one as it’s what we used to do rather than jump on Flea Bay. Thanks for all your videos. Stay well. Ash from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@comeinhandynow]

Thanks, and yes me too I prefer to mend. But I think the ecu is a bit fussy about the exact timing or overlap of the part in the switch that makes a contact and the other part that breaks a contact when braking. So on worn contacts that overlap time changes and it can still intermittently trigger warning lights. I’ve usually changed to a new switch eventually with no further problems afterwards.

[@mitchellrussell1261]

InstaBlaster...

[@lukejoy4223]

Again another great informal video, great work!

[@comeinhandynow]

Thanks

[@jaha9032]

Had the same problem a while back.... traced it to the brake switch.... but wish i knew they could be fixed, had to buy a complete new switch....o well.... great video...

[@comeinhandynow]

Thanks, a new one seems to be more reliable anyhow.

[@roalvema78]

Thank you very much for the video, you are a genius ... I followed the instructions and I am solved

[@comeinhandynow]

Cheers

[@LarsGTV6]

This was helpful - and I've saved money!

[@comeinhandynow]

Hopefully it was a comeinhandy video!

[@franckrivet758]

Je l ai fait top plus de problème 😊 Merci beaucoup de la vidéo👍

[@Dan-wl3lm]

Very useful video. Fixed mine :) many thanks

[@comeinhandynow]

Cheers

[@gzanrahman7771]

This is a good example of a good information video

[@comeinhandynow]

Glad you liked it

[@derealovesurvival7549]

Thank you for sharing this video ATB and God bless!

[@comeinhandynow]

You bet

[@mmc1192]

Thank you 👍🏻 ... This is the exact fault I’m getting on mine, but it goes on and off. It also goes off if I pump the brake pedal. It’s intermittent on mine.

[@comeinhandynow]

Change the brake switch, as in the video, and it should fix it.

[@jorgetigui]

Genial , obrigado 👍👍👍

[@jarbasjesus5516]

Amigo...vc consertou a sua conta esse procedimento? Se sim...me passa seu contato. Obrigado.

[@Amir76fresno]

Hello again mate, Honest whatever I have a question I can find ut in your channel, awesome work indeed! Thx a lot boss for sharing your knowledge and thoughts. Have a wonderful day and week. Cheers. P.s I do have a question btw. My car a V6 Atuo 2004, for a while this lamp is on and sometimes is off, and after some days so cold over here, had to get a new car battery, still is on and when is off the KM indicator, going up& down when is on P.a new thing and then the lamp comes on again, I checked now ( after watching your video) found this switch for 50€. Wanna buy, and hopefully it shall be fine! Do you agree.thx in advance. Cheers mate🙏

[@comeinhandynow]

Thanks for your comments. I assume you are referring to the brake pedal switch, which is the usual cause of this problem, so yes buy a new one. You should be able to get it cheaper, maybe on ebay.co.uk with a supplier that will ship to you where you are.

[@Amir76fresno]

@@comeinhandynow Thx a lot for the reply. Yes beake pedal switch! I'll gonna check it now, wishing you an aboundance of Happiness prosperity and success. Have a wonderful day mate.cheers 🙏🙏✨️✨️✨️

[@Amir76fresno]

@@comeinhandynow Honest, I am so thankful, you are the best boss ever and I do mean it, first I wanted to order the switch for 50 € and shopping to Stockholm 20€.= 70. Thx to you sir got it now from ebay for totally 15€ 👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏. Wishing you all Happiness prosperity mate ,Have an amazing day and week. Cheers 👍👍👍

[@BjornFSE]

I don't have the Two Amigos but I have the HDC Failure light come on. It comes on when I throw the car in reverse and I press gas nothing happens the car doesn't move but once I hold it down consistently around 1.5k-2k RPM then it just jumps in reverse gear and the HDC Failure light comes on and stays on. The Gearing does what it wants sometimes, Idk if this is a result of that but I got to get this issue resolved.

[@comeinhandynow]

According to the fault table that would be “sticking throttle” or “implausible gear position”. I guess you have the Aisin automatic gearbox, so first check the oil level is ok in that. Sounds like an autogearbox issue.

[@KSpagnol]

Great video, thanks

[@comeinhandynow]

Cheers

[@agustinalmaraz1980]

Thank for you explain. Master

[@comeinhandynow]

You are very welcome

[@freelander.1]

Nice mate, I have the same problem, bu I did some off road and a piece of wood got stuck in my hand brake wire under the car. So i think did damaged some sensor on the wheel...

[@comeinhandynow]

Is it the ABS sensor on the wheel? The ABS light would be on as well. Hope you find it.

[@freelander.1]

comeinhandynow yes, 3 amigos are on, so I think could be an abs sensor or some other sensor, but thank you very much!! Keep doing videos for freelanders!!! Cheers

[@comeinhandynow]

@@freelander.1 Thanks for the encouragement!

[@cj64crosser]

Can be the magnetic strip on the drive shaft that picks u the abs. I had a new cv joint fitted and the mechanic damaged the strip, fixed it and sorted. If the brake light switch try this. 👍

[@freelander.1]

@@cj64crosser will do, cheers mate

[@g7eit]

Brilliant, thank you

[@comeinhandynow]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ianwiggins7128]

How descent light always comes online sticks on I had one came unstuck on sometimes it's the switch was knackered get a new switch and sometimes at work👍

[@comeinhandynow]

If it’s just the hill descent light on then check The hdc switch and wiring.

[@MrAitch6969]

@@comeinhandynow where would i find the HDC switch ? my HDC light when I put it in to Drive and then goes to F / 4 on the display can i disable the HDC system via a fuse ?

[@comeinhandynow]

@@MrAitch6969 HDC switch is below the gearstick, also see the owners manual. The can find it online if you don’t have it. If the auto box is not selecting gears correctly you may have a problem with the solenoids in the auto box. Why would you want to disable HDC? If you don't want it then don't turn it on.

[@MrAitch6969]

@@comeinhandynow thank you it just comes on on it’s own but I am not sure if it is really engaged

[@comeinhandynow]

@@MrAitch6969 Check the switch isn’t in the on position. It is normally only engaged in 2nd and reverse gear on an auto, if hdc is turned on. Maybe a new switch is needed. If it is coming on with the TC light as well then you probably need a new brake switch as in this video.

[@karlsson7604]

I have a fault with my dashboard lights to the speedometer on my freelander 1. Do you have to take of the hole dashboard and change the lights or is it something else. At first it was dark and you could just smash it a bit and then it worked. But know its permanent.

[@comeinhandynow]

Try the Haynes manual, it should show how, amzn.to/3Shmeg1

[@HARDEEPJADEJA]

sir , i saw your videos on freelander, i brought recently 2001 model 1.8ltr petrol with 59k km on clock, working on its cylinder head. please advice me how to keep engine cool and avoid engine heating ?

[@comeinhandynow]

Make sure you never run low on coolant water. I have a video on putting on a water level sensor on my channel, with another more advanced one coming soon. Also another one coming soon on thermostat plumbing and fixing an overheating problem when left idling. Make sure you're subscribed and click on the bell symbol for notifications of new ones.

[@HARDEEPJADEJA]

@@comeinhandynow yes sure sir, I haven't subscribed your channel, putting sensor is difficult as few parts are not available in kenya , Africa.

[@comeinhandynow]

@@HARDEEPJADEJA Maybe this would hep parcel2kenya.com/amazon-kenya/

[@comeinhandynow]

@@HARDEEPJADEJA This is what the new system will use (link for Kenya): www.jumia.co.ke/catalog/?q=Peugeot+water+level+sensor

[@HARDEEPJADEJA]

@@comeinhandynow I have subscribed your channel and saw many videos

[@gantoniom9615]

Hi i have a freelander 1 2.0 td4 and whatever i do the hill descent sign doesnt light up so i don't know if the hill descent works or not. any sugestions what it can be ? Or how to fix it ?

[@comeinhandynow]

Check the HDC switch by the gearstick, maybe a wire to it has detached?

[@gantoniom9615]

@@comeinhandynow I checked it and the 2 wires are wired up correctly what else can I check ?

[@gantoniom9615]

​@@comeinhandynowplease answer😊?

[@karlsson7604]

How big is the coil inside because mine flied away like a rocket and I cant find it

[@comeinhandynow]

Time to buy a new switch, they are cheap at about a tenner.

[@Sam-lq6pl]

Have you had any problems with the indicators? Mine work then don’t work , relay maybe 🤔

[@comeinhandynow]

Check for corrossion around the surface of the bulbs, if it is one bulb not lighting up.

[@Sam-lq6pl]

@@comeinhandynow I’ll check that in the morning thanks ,

[@malcolmyoung7866]

Nice one

[@comeinhandynow]

Cheers

[@kireanjohn7292]

I have a 2004 freelander hse td4 auto that light comes on as well as F4 fault the car pulls off in 4th gear I have the codes cleared and it drives fine but soo as I turn car off and back in again everything comes back

[@comeinhandynow]

I can only suggest looking up the error codes from an OBDII code reader and searching for information on those codes.

[@kireanjohn7292]

The code coming back with something to do with the earthing and wiring the previous over took the the prop shaft would that be anything to do with it

[@comeinhandynow]

@@kireanjohn7292 Prop off shouldn't affect it. I would check over all the body earth connections then. Maybe unbolt and clean up. Certainly can’t do any harm. There are probably some in the engine bay. Have a look or check in the Haynes workshop manual perhaps.

[@pandrilex975]

saved me !!

[@comeinhandynow]

Great

[@MrAitch6969]

I see you are working on a manual does this work for a automatic ?

[@comeinhandynow]

The same problem with the brake switch wearing out can occur.

[@Thedrifter1986]

Ciao, posso parlare in italiano? Un mio amico con un freelander del 2005 ha avuto un problema con lo switch per le luci freno, si sono fusi i contatti e le luci stop non si accendono. Ho ordinato lo switch ma nel frattempo si sono accese queste spie

[@comeinhandynow]

Yes, they would. Just change the switch. It’s a cheap and easy fix.

[@Thedrifter1986]

​@@comeinhandynowthank you, I made an order from amazon

[@rodcameron6648]

Hi there can you help me i changed brake light switch on freelander but now brake lights are on all the time and when i apply the foot brake the brake lights go out what would cause this could it be the wrong switch,

[@comeinhandynow]

Wrong switch. Or is there the unlikely chance that it is plugged in the wrong way?? Let me know what you find

[@max9700]

My hdc can turn off when its holding stil but when i start driveing it hoes on 😅 What can be the course of it 😅

[@comeinhandynow]

Loose wire onn the HDC switch?

[@karlsson7604]

I did all this but it didn’t help. My Traction control light is not on. It is just the HDC light that is the problem. I just want the light off because it is enoying. I dont need to use the HDC function very much. Is there anything else ai can do to just get rid of the light on the dashboard? //Sorry for bad English. Great video anyway!

[@comeinhandynow]

It may be the wires to the HDC switch near the gear lever, take the gearstick glove off and check the wiring and the switch.

[@karlsson7604]

Ok Thanks for all help😊

[@micheljoseph732]

EN FRANCAIS CE SERAIT MIEUX

[@frapaber6033]

Buy a Renault