9 documented faults
Engine & fuel system
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Poor engine performance.
Defender 300 Tdi: VIN 111838→/VIN 554794→.
What you'd notice
Poor priming of the fuel lift pump after fuel filter changed or drained.
The repair
Fuel lift pump overstroking causing failure.
Workshop instructions & parts2 parts
Workshop procedure
- Fit new fuel lift pump and gasket.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel lift pump | ERR 5057 | 1 |
| Fuel lift pump gasket | ERR 7339 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.
Turbocharger (TC) intercooler bottom hose detached from intercooler or turbocharger (TC).
Defender: →VIN LD 939976.
Retaining clip not securing hose sufficiently.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Fit new retaining clips.
- Tighten clips to 3.5 Nm.
- Start engine.
- Allow engine to reach normal operating temperature.
- Switch ignition OFF.
- Allow vehicle to stand for 30 minutes.
- Retighten clips to 3.5 Nm.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Retaining clip | STC128 | 4 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.
Electrical & ignition
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Unreliable starter motor operation.
Defender: 300 Tdi, VIN LD 941962→.
Defender: 12J, VIN LD 944084→.
Water entering starter solenoid through inadequate sealing.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Fit new starter motor.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Starter motor | ERR 5009 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.
Brakes
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
ABS warning lamp illuminates permanently or intermittently.
All models with ABS, VIN XA 159810-2A 62899.
Poor routing of ABS wheel speed sensor wiring harness around front flexible brake hose.
Workshop instructions & parts5 parts
Workshop procedure
- Release brake system fluid pressure.
- Remove brake hose and pipe from hub mounting bracket.
- Fit new hub mounting bracket Fig.101992.1 .
- Fit brake pipe, brake hose and ABS wheel speed sensor wiring harness to hub mounting bracket Fig.101992.1 .
- Bleed brake system.
- View View more information
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Front ABS wheel speed sensor | SSW100050 | 2 |
| Front ABS wheel speed sensor clip bracket, right | RGY000020 | 1 |
| Front ABS wheel speed sensor clip bracket, left | RGY000030 | 1 |
| ABS harness clip | DYC101410 | 2 |
| Clip - brake hose to ABS harness | NTC8242 | 2 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.
ABS warning lamp illuminates permanently or intermittently.
All models with ABS.
Poor routing of ABS wheel speed sensor wiring harness around the rear axle.
Workshop instructions & parts2 parts
Workshop procedure
- Fit cable tie and clip around axle tube.
- Ensure the cable tie is outboard of the shock absorber with the clip on top of the axle tube Fig.101994.1 .
- Fit ABS wheel speed sensor wiring harness to clip.
- Repeat procedure for opposite side.
- View View more information
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| ABS wheel speed sensor assembly - rear | SSW100060 | 1 |
| Accelerator cable | RGY500010 | 2 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.
Clutch & gearbox
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Heavy clutch pedal action.
All models with manual transmission, 1999→.
Clutch pedal return spring weak.
Workshop instructions & parts4 parts
Workshop procedure
- Remove and discard clutch pedal return spring.
- Fit modified clutch pedal return spring and bushes.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Clutch pedal return spring | EDP7510L | 1 |
| Bush | DCP3212L | 2 |
| Bush | CLP3180 | 1 |
| Gasket | ANR6332 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.
Air conditioning & heating
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Heater unable to demist front screen.
All models.
What you'd notice
Sound of water moving in heater.
The repair
Heater air intake drain valve sticking or blocked. Water trapped in heater ducting.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Ensure air intake drain valve operates correctly Fig.101944 .
- Ensure air intake drain tube is not blocked Fig.101944 .
- View View more information
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.
Wipers & visibility
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Erratic front wiper operation.
90/110/130/Defender, 1995-09: VIN 600000→.
What you'd notice
Front wipers not working.
The repair
Front wiper arm loose, allowing wiper spindle to rotate without moving wiper arm.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- 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 8.
Other
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Alloy wheels difficult to remove.
All models with alloy wheels, →03/01.
Corrosion between hub spigot and wheel centre.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Clean corrosion from wheel contact surfaces.
- Apply anti-seize grease to wheel contact surfaces.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-seize grease | RYL105020L | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.
Take it with you
Before you view one
Land Rover Defender 2.5 TDI (1994–1999)
Each documented fault as a quick check for a viewing or test drive — tick them off as you go.
A little workshop vocabulary
Workshop terms used on this page
Definitions for the technical language used in these bulletins.
- 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
- ABS
- Anti-lock braking system — stops the wheels locking under hard braking
- Anti-Seize
- Grease that stops mating parts (like a wheel on a hub) from corroding together
- Hub Spigot
- The raised centre of the hub that locates the wheel
- Solenoid
- An electrically operated valve or actuator
- Wheel Speed Sensor
- A sensor at each wheel used by ABS and stability control
- Wiring Harness
- The bundled cables that carry power and signals around the vehicle
- Bushes
- Rubber mountings that let a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
Common questions
Using this guide.
What are the common faults with the Land Rover Defender 2.5 TDI?
Garages and workshops regularly encounter nine documented faults on the Land Rover Defender 2.5 TDI — two concern the engine and fuel system and two the brakes. Each fault above lists the symptoms, cause, fix and any parts needed.
Does every Land Rover Defender 2.5 TDI have these faults?
No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual car. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.
Can I check for Land Rover Defender 2.5 TDI faults when viewing one?
Many of them, yes — the documented symptoms are things you can see, hear or feel on a viewing or test drive. The 'Before you view one' checklist above turns each documented fault into a quick check you can tick off as you go.