Land Rover Discovery AC Fails: Solar Sensor Suspect?

Hey there! I actually went through something similar with my 2003 Land Rover Defender TD5 last summer. Started with weak AC performance and inconsistent temperature control. Initially thought it was just low refrigerant, but turned out the wiring harness was damaged, affecting both the solar sensor and several other HVAC components. Had my mechanic do a full diagnostic, the wiring harness showed multiple points of deterioration, causing intermittent connections to the climate control system. This was indeed a serious issue since it could've led to complete HVAC failure or even electrical shorts. The repair involved replacing the entire harness section connected to the climate control. The symptoms you're describing match what I experienced. Would definitely recommend getting it properly diagnosed, these wiring issues don't fix themselves and usually get worse over time. Once fixed, my AC and heating have been working perfectly fine. Just a heads up, make sure whoever checks it has experience with Land Rover electrical systems. They're quite specific compared to other brands.

Hey again! Yeah, this definitely sounds like what I dealt with. I'm really glad I could help identify the issue, the wiring harness problems can be tricky to spot if you don't know what to look for. Just curious, how much did the repair end up costing you? And has everything been working smoothly since you got it fixed? My AC's been running like a dream after the repair, but I always like to hear how other Rovers are holding up.

Hey! Thanks for asking about the follow-up. Yep, I got it sorted at the mechanic and you were spot on, it was indeed the solar sensor malfunction caused by that dodgy wiring harness. The repair bill came to 155.00 € to fix the faulty wiring, which honestly wasn't as bad as I expected for a Land Rover repair! Everything's been running perfectly since then. The AC is now responding exactly as it should, and the temperature control is super consistent. It's like having a new system installed! Such a relief after dealing with that frustrating intermittent cooling issue. Really glad I didn't put off getting it fixed, you're absolutely right that these problems only get worse if you ignore them. The old Defender's been a happy camper since the repair, and I haven't had a single problem with the climate control system. Money well spent in my opinion! Thanks again for helping me identify the issue in the first place. These Land Rovers can be quirky, but they're worth the occasional hassle!

Thanks for sharing your experience! I finally took my Discovery to a mechanic who specializes in Land Rovers. The diagnostic test revealed exactly what we suspected, a faulty wiring harness affecting the solar sensor. Total repair cost was around 200, including parts and labor. Not too bad considering I was worried it might be something more serious! The whole process took about 3 hours. The mechanic was really thorough and even showed me the worn-out wiring that was causing all the trouble. Been about two weeks since the fix, and what a difference! The AC is blowing ice-cold again, and the temperature control is working perfectly. No more sweating during afternoon drives! Really appreciate your help in pointing me in the right direction. These old Rovers definitely have their quirks, but when everything's working properly, they're fantastic machines. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me make the decision to get it checked out properly!