Land Rover1999–2000

Discovery II 4.0: Common faults & known problems

Common faults & known problems

13 known faults documented in workshop bulletins. Of these, three concern the engine and fuel system and three the suspension and drivetrain. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Updated 8 Sep 2026Technical specifications

Engine & fuel system

3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Failure to start

Poor electrical connection between battery main lead and starter motor solenoid. Fix: adjust and tighten.

Overview

Affects: Defender: VIN XA 159810-YA 199999.Defender: VIN YA 600000-1A 602857.Discovery: →VIN XA 907212 (system 1).Discovery: →VIN 1A 296165 (system 2).Range Rover: VIN XA 410483-1A 446786.
Remedy: Adjust & tighten

Symptoms

Intermittent failure to start.

Repair steps

Disconnect battery earth lead.
Locate battery main lead to starter motor solenoid connection.
Tighten fixing nut to 18 Nm.
Connect battery earth lead.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.

Failure to start

Affects All models.

Cause

In-tank fuel pump (FP) faulty.

Repair

Replace component if necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.

Engine overheating, particularly in slow moving traffic

Affects All models with petrol engines.

Cause

Cooling fan viscous coupling faulty.

Repair

Replace cooling fan viscous coupling.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 13.

Suspension & drivetrain

3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Vehicle leans to one side

Affects All models with self-leveling suspension (SLS).

Cause

Suspension ride height sensor faulty.

Repair

Replace suspension ride height sensor.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.

Vehicle leans to one side

Affects All models with self-leveling suspension (SLS).

Cause

Internal fluid leak in suspension adjustment valve block.

Repair

Replace suspension adjustment valve block.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.

Vehicle leans to one side

Affects All models with self-leveling suspension (SLS).Software update

Cause

Suspension control module requires re-programming.

Repair

Re-program suspension control module.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.

Clutch & gearbox

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Poor AT gear shifting

Affects All models with automatic transmission (AT).

Symptoms

Trouble code stored in transmission control module (TCM) fault memory: 2.

Cause

Open/short circuit or high/low resistance in wiring harness of transmission valve block.

Repair

Repair/replace wiring as necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 12.

Air conditioning & heating

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Vibration from AC/heater blower motor on high blower speed

Sound insulation material from plenum chamber enters heater ducting, fouling AC/heater blower motor fan. Fix: clean and lubricate.

Overview

Affects: All models.
Remedy: Clean & lubricate

Repair steps

Remove AC/heater blower motor and clean sound insulation material from fan.
Ensure no sound insulation material loose in heater ducting.
Renew sound insulation material in plenum chamber.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.

Loss of coolant

Overview

Affects: All models.

Symptoms

Engine overheats.

Cause

Cylinder head gasket faulty.

Inlet manifold gasket damaged.

Heater matrix leaks.

Repair steps

Pressure test cooling system.
Replace cylinder head gasket as necessary.
Replace inlet manifold gasket as necessary.
Replace heater matrix as necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.

Body & trim

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Excessive noise from rear seat backs whilst driving

Affects All models.

Cause

Excessive play between stops on seat frame.

Repair

Fit anti-rattle washer kit.

Parts1 part

Parts listed in the bulletin
Part	Part number	Qty
Anti-rattle washer kit	HTP 100080	1

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 10.

Water ingress into spare wheel well

Tailgate seal leaking. Fix: fit a new part.

Overview

Affects: All models.
Remedy: Fit new part

Repair steps

Remove and discard tailgate seal.
Apply sealant to tailgate flange.
Fit new tailgate seal.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 11.

Other

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Alloy wheels difficult to remove

Overview

Affects: All models with alloy wheels, →03/01.
Remedy: Clean & lubricate
Parts: 1 part

Cause

Corrosion between hub spigot and wheel centre.

Repair

Clean corrosion from wheel contact surfaces.
Apply anti-seize grease to wheel contact surfaces.

Parts1 part

Parts listed in the bulletin
Part	Part number	Qty
Anti-seize grease	RYL105020L	1

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.

Poor active cornering enhancement (ACE) performance

Overview

Affects: All models.
Remedy: Adjust & tighten

Symptoms

ACE fluid loss.

Cause

Fluid leak from ACE high-pressure pump.

Fluid leak from ACE valve.

Repair steps

Tighten ACE high-pressure pump union.
Replace ACE high-pressure pump seals.
Replace ACE valve seals.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.

Glossary

Technical terms used in this guide.

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
ACE: Active Cornering Enhancement — a hydraulic anti-roll system that stiffens the suspension in corners
FP: Fuel pump — the pump that supplies fuel from the tank
SLS: Self-levelling suspension — keeps the ride height even when the vehicle is loaded
TCM: Transmission control module — the electronic unit that manages the gearbox
AC/Heater: The heating and air-conditioning system
Anti-Seize: Grease that stops mating parts (like a wheel on a hub) from corroding together
Control Module: A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
Fault Memory: The list of stored trouble codes in a control module
Heater Matrix: The small radiator behind the dashboard that provides cabin heat
Hub Spigot: The raised centre of the hub that locates the wheel
In-Tank Fuel Pump: The fuel pump mounted inside the fuel tank
Inlet Manifold: The housing that distributes air into the cylinders
Re-Program: Update the software on a control module using the manufacturer's diagnostic tool
Ride Height: How high the vehicle sits; on air suspension this can be raised or lowered
Solenoid: An electrically operated valve or actuator
Trouble Code: A standardised fault code stored by a control module, read with a diagnostic tool
Valve Block: The set of solenoid valves that directs air or fluid in the air-suspension or gearbox
Viscous Coupling: A fluid coupling that automatically sends drive to an axle when the other starts to slip
Wiring Harness: The bundled cables that carry power and signals around the vehicle
Blower Motor: The fan that pushes air through the heater and air-conditioning
Earth: An electrical ground connection back to the battery or body
Head Gasket: The seal between the cylinder head and the engine block

Frequently asked questions

What are the common faults with the Land Rover Discovery II 4.0?

This guide contains 13 workshop bulletins for the Land Rover Discovery II 4.0. Of these, three concern the engine and fuel system and three the suspension and drivetrain. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Does every Land Rover Discovery II 4.0 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 Discovery II 4.0 faults myself?

Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.