Somewhat anxious despite having breakdown cover, as car has now been taken away to main dealer (St Herblain, Nantes) for diagnostic on Friday. The ABS + HDC error messages showed up a few times and then the car would not drive at more than 5MPH. Having replaced ride height sensors and refurbished the air compressor and an ABS sensor last year, I imagine another sensor has failed or needs cleaning.

Strange thing is that now that left indicator light flashes twice as fast as the other, the problem is intermittent and the ABS comes on at slow speed... sometimes. I have used the EAS tool as an emergency code clearer and it works for a few hundred yards, then the Boing ! Car was considered too unsafe to drive and roadside recovery chap was unable to get his code reader to work, hence a 46 mile transport to the dealer.

The car is a 2004 Vogue petrol (BMW version)

Anyone know of any independent garage in the St Nazaire / La Baule area and thoughts appreciated as I have never experienced a French main dealer. With the current exchange rate... I am concerned !

Can't help with independant where you are but, away from major cities, MD rates are usually a little bit cheaper than UK rates John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

I am nowhere near that area so I have no personal knowledge, but a quick internet search reveals that – apart from the Main Dealers – there is a LR “specialist” in Missillac, just 40 km from Saint-Nazaire:
NatureLand http://www.nature-land.fr/ ZA de la Pommeraie – rue des Indes – 44780 Missillac Tel. +33 (0)2 40 66 20 27

They claim to do “maintenance, preparation and fitting of accessories” on Series, Defender, Discovery and Range Rovers.

As I say, I have no personal knowledge so I have no idea of their reputation, workmanship and prices.
Dunno if they speaka da Ingrish, but you may feel it worth a call …

 It's "bébéchoon", ackcherly, with accents. 'Steve' to my chums.
20 years ownership of Solihull products, ALL GONE NOW, sniff!
Current motor: Suzuki S-Cross 4WD auto, 1.4 petrol. Oh so reliable! 7 years now and no problems. Oh, all right then, a leaking shocker replaced under guarantee.
Previous:
TD6 HSE L322 Auto FF
2.5 TDi 4-door Classic
Disco II
And my 1st Rangie: in 1995, a 2-door VM 2.5 diesel Classic
Not to mention the Lada Niva before those. (I said not to mention it!)

Thank you both, that is reassuring and I will establish contact with the "indie" once roadworthy.

I should get a code reader giiven the age of the car !

It occurs to me a BMW indie may be useful to know, as well as I travel here about three times a year and the faults may continue.

I will let you know the diagnostic results...hopefully a simple component

Best regards

sounds like a wiring issue with the indicator flashing like its got a blown bulb , never good to have issues when in foreign fields pal , I had 3 blow out on my last venture across the channel so I feel your pain and hope all gets sorted with minimal fuss

Thanks, the odd thing is that all bulbs are ok and even the recovery guy was puzzled.
I have read that this event is an omen..Over the past few weeks the indicator has been more rapid than normal, but only for a few seconds then normal again. Now HDC ABS errors though the air suspension switches are lit and functioning normally.

It must be an age thing

These are great cars, yet need constant vigilance

Got a call from the main dealer in Nantes, they say they do not have a code reader for my car (2004) and the specialist mentioned in Messilac is closed until Monday ! Hopefully they may have one.

I am sure it is an ABS sensor (Capteur Vitesse), is there anyone who knows of a code reader for this car in SW France ? I guess a BMW one would do ?

Quote:

they do not have a code reader for my car (2004)

WHAT????? Am I missing something here? Shurely shome mishtake, Oshiffer? Presumably you spoke with them - was there any language problem, or did they speak good English? (I’d happily call them for you - in Frogese - but the workshop is closed for the weekend now, until Monday.)
 It's "bébéchoon", ackcherly, with accents. 'Steve' to my chums.
20 years ownership of Solihull products, ALL GONE NOW, sniff!
Current motor: Suzuki S-Cross 4WD auto, 1.4 petrol. Oh so reliable! 7 years now and no problems. Oh, all right then, a leaking shocker replaced under guarantee.
Previous:
TD6 HSE L322 Auto FF
2.5 TDi 4-door Classic
Disco II
And my 1st Rangie: in 1995, a 2-door VM 2.5 diesel Classic
Not to mention the Lada Niva before those. (I said not to mention it!)

Thanks... it was actually the UK Breakdown insurance company call centre person who called me about their conversation with the Main Dealer in St Herblain Nantes. That's right.. the car is too old (L322 August 2004) and no code reader !. I responded by asking for mechanic to have physical look at the ABS sensor, maybe inspect/clean each one (not a big or complex job). Still awaiting that call back.

The potential indie (Nature Land) in Missillac opens on Monday and I have sent an email message just in case, from their website it is unclear what they do.

It is very worrying when a main dealer cannot assist. My car was transported 46 miles to St Herblain and may have to come back to me in Pornichet with its problem. Thank god for breakdown assist, they even suggested repatriation to the UK !

I will keep you posted

Sorry missed this, don't come here often. Just send you an address by PM. They might be able to help you. Don't know them. If you need any help in communication, after nearly 20 years in France my french is good enough I think