Hazard Lights Flashing

**AMA-ZING** · 2010/06/21, 11:10 AM

On a recent trip, my Disco started flashing her hazard lights after prolonged periods on badly corrugatted gravel roads - both in dry and wet conditions. The only way to "reset", was to turn off ignition and power up again. Whilst turned off, the hazard lights continued flashing and would only reset once the ignition was powering the coil - ie key position, just before engaging starter motor. Has anyone else experienced this and what would the cause be and the relevant fix - 1998 Disco1 3.9 V8

**RangeRover** · 2010/06/21, 12:19 PM

I once experienced something similar after landing very hard with the Defender. It thinks you are in an accident or something.

**offroadrover** · 2010/06/21, 01:10 PM

I think you are right about the accident thing. In the P38 Range Rover there is a reset switch in the drivers footwell somewhere to reset the vehicle if this happens after an accident but from what I read in the owners manual ( yes I read some of it) this should also have cut off the fuel supply to the motor, but it may be different in the disco 1.

**ganymede** · 2010/06/21, 03:33 PM

Also present on Disco 1. Whenever I hit a bump really hard it happens.

There's an accelerometer somewhere in the dashboard that detects a bump. It unlocks the doors and flashes the hazards. It's a safety feature that's supposed to help people find the car and get you out in case of an accident.

**Landyluvver** · 2010/06/21, 05:30 PM

many Landies are fitted with state of the art alarm systems with anti-hijack etc. found this when i opened the bonnet while the car was "armed" it then goes into flash mode and sometimes the alarm screams.
it would be possible that with the vibration one of the switches on a door or bonnet could lose contact and that the alarm is then triggered.
when switching off and resetting with the remote, it should reset.
see if the switch in the engine bay is effective / need adjustment?

**Spook13** · 2014/01/03, 12:30 PM

on our way back to jozi. just went over some rumble strips and the hazards are flashing now and central locking disengaged. suppose we will just pull over at the next fuel station and cycle the power?

**Thys Willemse** · 2014/01/03, 12:37 PM

That means the "inertia switch" is working correctly. AFAIK they were standard on the Disco 1 300's?

Stop, switch off, wait a few seconds, restart, and switch the hazards on and off again. I not off, switch off and wait a little longer.

**DJR** · 2014/01/03, 12:43 PM

Hazard lights ON seems to give you the right to drive like a total maniac, skip red traffic lights, overtake on blind corners, speed and tailgate if other drivers don't get out of the way pronto. Enjoy driving like the average Saffa.

**sarx** · 2014/01/06, 01:43 PM

Turn ignition completely off and then start you car again. Should be gone. Lyk Thys said, it's the inertia switch that thought you had a prang...

**duncanp** · 2014/01/06, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Spook13

on our way back to jozi. just went over some rumble strips and the hazards are flashing now and central locking disengaged. suppose we will just pull over at the next fuel station and cycle the power?

Spook car

**Brian** · 2014/01/06, 02:18 PM

That switch does not detect a collision, it's there to differentiate between an accident and severe off road shocks. It sets off the hazards, but inhibits deployment of air bags (where fitted - it's found on Defenders too with no air bags). It is there for safety reasons, as air bag deployment would be very dangerous in such circumstances. That's why bumps can set it off, that's what it's designed for. Usually mounted high up in the middle of the bulkhead in the engine compartment. There is a small rod that protrudes when it is triggered, which can be reset by pushing it back in.