Engine & fuel system
Two documented faults — one affects power, one starting.
Warning light on and loss of power
Summary
The engine warning light (MIL) comes on and the engine loses power. The workshop bulletin records trouble codes P0234 and P0299 alongside these symptoms; these are codes stored by the engine control module and read with a diagnostic tool.
The documented cause is corrosion on the control rod for the turbocharger’s wastegate regulating valve. The wastegate is the valve that limits turbo boost pressure. When its control rod sticks, the valve cannot regulate boost as intended.
The workshop repair uses a kit to repair the control rod. The bulletin specifies that only the stated grease should be used for this repair. Both the kit and grease part numbers are listed below.
Repair
- Repair turbocharger (TC) wastegate regulating valve control rod using repair kit. Only use specified grease.
Parts2 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Repair kit | LR019905 | 1 |
| Grease | LR029042 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.
Hard to start, with misfire and power loss
Overview
- Affects
- All models with 2.4 Diesel engine.
- Fault codes
P0089P1169- Remedy
- Fit new part
- Parts
- 2 parts
Summary
The engine can be difficult to start, misfire and feel short of power. The bulletin also records trouble codes P0089 and P1169 in the engine control module (ECM), the electronic unit that manages the engine.
The documented causes are a faulty fuel pressure relief valve and a faulty fuel metering solenoid. The relief valve releases excess fuel pressure, while the metering solenoid controls how much fuel the high-pressure pump delivers.
The workshop remedy specifies fitting a new fuel pressure relief valve and a new fuel metering solenoid. The full procedure and the two replacement part numbers are included below.
Repair
- Fit new fuel pressure relief valve (located on high-pressure fuel pump).
- Fit new fuel metering solenoid (located on fuel rail).
Parts2 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel pressure relief valve | LR009837 | 1 |
| Fuel metering solenoid | LR006866 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.
Electrical & ignition
One documented fault — premature wear of the ignition switch.
Ignition key stiff or will not turn
Summary
The ignition switch can feel stiff or jerky when the key is turned, or the key may not turn at all. These are the two symptoms recorded in the bulletin.
The documented cause is premature wear of the ignition switch. The workshop remedy is to fit a new switch, and the bulletin supplies the replacement part number.
Repair
- Fit new ignition switch.
Parts1 part
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Ignition switch | LR035359 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.
Brakes
Three documented faults — a servo vacuum-pump oil leak, a brake-light switch and rear-brake squeal.
Engine oil leak near the brake servo vacuum pump
Summary
Engine oil can leak from the area around the brake servo vacuum pump. The brake servo assists the driver when the brake pedal is pressed; this bulletin concerns an oil leak at its vacuum pump and applies to the VIN range shown above.
Dirt getting into the pump can cause its seal to fail. The documented repair is to fit a modified brake servo vacuum pump. The bulletin lists both the replacement pump and its gasket, with their part numbers in the workshop details below.
Repair
- Fit modified brake servo vacuum pump.
Parts2 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Brake servo vacuum pump | LR014973 | 1 |
| Gasket | LR004381 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.
Brake lights stop working
Summary
The brake lights do not come on when the brake pedal is pressed. The bulletin calls them ‘stop lamps’ and identifies a faulty brake pedal position (BPP) switch as the cause.
This is the switch behind the pedal that triggers the brake lights. The documented repair is to fit a new BPP switch; no replacement part number is included in this bulletin.
Repair
- Fit new BPP switch.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.
Rear brakes squeal under light braking
Summary
The rear brakes can squeal when braking lightly at 30–50 mph (48–80 km/h). That combination of light braking and road speed is the specific symptom described in the bulletin, which covers models with rear disc brakes from 2005 onwards.
The cause recorded is vibration from the rear brakes when they are applied. The repair is to fit modified rear brake pads. The fitting instruction is specific: the large chamfer, or bevelled edge, must face downwards. The replacement pad-kit number is listed below.
Repair
- Fit modified rear brake pads. Note: When fitting brake pads ensure large chamfer is facing downwards.
Parts1 part
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Rear brake pad kit | LR032954 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.
Suspension & drivetrain
One documented fault — the front driveshaft can contact the engine oil sump.
Knocking from the front over rough roads
Summary
A knocking noise from the front of the Defender when driving over rough roads is the symptom described in this bulletin. The documented cause is contact between the front driveshaft and the engine oil sump, on vehicles within the VIN range shown above.
The workshop procedure is to inspect the sump for damage and fit a modified sump if necessary. The bulletin makes replacement conditional on the inspection and lists both the sump and sealant part numbers.
Repair
- Inspect engine oil sump for damage. Fit modified engine oil sump if necessary.
Parts2 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil sump | LR007598 | 1 |
| Sealant | STC50550 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.
Clutch & gearbox
One documented fault — a weak clutch pedal return spring on manual models.
Heavy clutch pedal
Overview
- Affects
- All models with manual transmission, 1999→.
- Remedy
- Fit modified part
- Parts
- 4 parts
Summary
The clutch pedal takes more effort to operate than it should. For the manual-transmission models covered by this bulletin, the documented cause is a weak clutch pedal return spring.
The repair involves removing and discarding the existing return spring, then fitting a modified spring and bushes. The bushes are the mountings at the joint. The workshop parts list includes the spring, both types of bush and a gasket, with the quantities required.
Repair
- Remove and discard clutch pedal return spring.
- Fit modified clutch pedal return spring and bushes.
Parts4 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Clutch pedal return spring | EDP7510L | 1 |
| Bush | DCP3212L | 2 |
| Bush | CLP3180 | 1 |
| Gasket | ANR6332 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.
Body & trim
One documented fault — exterior door-handle retaining bolts working loose.
Loose exterior door handle
Overview
- Affects
- All models, 2006→.
- Remedy
- Fit modified part
- Parts
- 2 parts
Summary
The exterior door handle has excessive movement against the door because its retaining bolts have worked loose. This is the fault described for models from 2006 onwards.
The workshop repair is to remove the door trim panel and fit modified retaining bolts and washers. The bulletin specifies replacing the bolts one at a time and tightening them to 2.5 Nm, then refitting the trim panel and repeating the procedure on the opposite side. The full instructions and hardware part numbers are below.
Repair
- Fit modified exterior door handle retaining bolts and washers: Remove door trim panel. Fit modified retaining bolts and washers. Tightening torque: 2.5 Nm. Note: Only remove/replace bolts one at a time. Refit door trim panel.
- Repeat procedure for opposite side.
Parts2 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Retaining bolt | LR024165 | As required |
| Washer | WC105002 | As required |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 10.
Wipers & visibility
One documented fault — a loose front wiper arm.
Front wipers work erratically or not at all
Overview
- Affects
- 90/110/130/Defender, 1995-09: VIN 600000→.
- Remedy
- Adjust & tighten
Summary
The front wipers may behave erratically or stop working altogether. The bulletin traces this to a loose wiper arm: the spindle can still rotate, but it no longer moves the arm with it.
The workshop procedure includes checking the arm and spindle for damage and replacing damaged components where necessary. The motor must be in its park position before the arm is refitted. For the Defender, the specified wiper-arm nut tightening torque is 17 Nm; the full bulletin below also lists values for the other models it covers.
Repair steps
- Remove wiper arm nut protective cover and remove nut.
- If wiper arm has come loose from spindle inspect affected components for damage. Replace components as necessary.
- Ensure wiper motor is in park position.
- Fit front wiper arm. Tighten wiper arm nut as follows:.
- Freelander (97-06): 18 Nm.
- Freelander 2 (06-): 25 Nm.
- 90/110/130/Defender: 17 Nm.
- Discovery 3 (04-): 18 Nm.
- Range Rover (02-): 18 Nm.
- Range Rover Sport: 34 Nm.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.
Glossary
Technical terms used in this guide.
- MIL
- Malfunction indicator lamp — the engine warning light on the dashboard
- ECM
- Engine control module — the electronic unit that manages the engine
- VIN
- Vehicle identification number — 17 characters, found at the base of the windscreen and on the V5C logbook
- Nm
- Newton-metres — the standard unit for how tightly a bolt is done up
- Brake Servo
- The unit that boosts the force of your foot on the brake pedal
- Wastegate
- The valve that limits the turbocharger's boost pressure
- Fuel Rail
- The pipe that distributes high-pressure fuel to the injectors
- BPP Switch
- Brake pedal position switch — behind the pedal, it triggers the brake lights
- Trouble Codes
- Standardised fault codes stored by the engine control module, read with a diagnostic tool
- BPP
- Brake pedal position — the switch behind the pedal that triggers the brake lights
- TC
- Turbocharger — the exhaust-driven compressor that boosts engine power
- Control Module
- A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
- Driveshaft
- The shaft that takes drive from the differential out to a wheel
- Fuel Metering Solenoid
- The valve that controls how much fuel the high-pressure pump delivers
- Fuel Pressure Relief Valve
- A valve that dumps excess fuel pressure back to the tank
- Solenoid
- An electrically operated valve or actuator
- Stop Lamps
- Brake lights
- Wastegate Regulating Valve
- The valve that controls the turbocharger's wastegate, and so the boost pressure
- Bush
- A rubber mounting that lets a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
- Bushes
- Rubber mountings that let a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
- Misfire
- One or more cylinders not firing correctly — the engine runs roughly or loses power
Frequently asked questions
What are the common faults with the Land Rover Defender 2.4 TD4?
This guide contains 10 workshop bulletins for the Land Rover Defender 2.4 TD4. Of these, three concern the brakes and two the engine and fuel system. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.
Does every Land Rover Defender 2.4 TD4 have these faults?
No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual vehicle. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.
Can I check for Land Rover Defender 2.4 TD4 faults myself?
Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.