Land Rover1999–2002

Range Rover 4.6 218 hp: Common faults & known problems

Common faults & known problems

11 known faults documented in workshop bulletins. Of these, three concern the air conditioning and heating and two the electrical and ignition. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Updated Technical specifications

Engine & fuel system

1 documented fault — 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
Range Rover: VIN XA 410483-1A 446786.
Remedy
Adjust & tighten

Symptoms

Intermittent failure to start.

Repair steps

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

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.

Electrical & ignition

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Alarm/immobilizer will not disarm when using remote control

Affects All models.

Cause

Loss of communication between key remote control and control module.

Repair

  1. Re-synchronize key remote controls.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.

Battery discharged

Affects All models.

Cause

Multifunction control module does not switch to sleep mode after alarm set.

Repair

  1. Check multifunction control module and replace as necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.

Suspension & drivetrain

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Active height control suspension does not operate or rises slowly

Overview

Affects
All models.

Cause

Faulty suspension adjustment main valve block.

Faulty suspension compressor pump.

Repair

  1. Inspect suspension adjustment main valve block. Repair/replace component as necessary.
  2. Replace suspension compressor pump if necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.

Clutch & gearbox

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Poor performance or failure of AC system

Overview

Affects
All models.

Cause

Outside air temperature sensor faulty.

AC refrigerant pressure switch faulty.

AC compressor clutch sticking intermittently.

Repair steps

  1. Check outside air temperature sensor and replace as necessary.
  2. Check AC refrigerant pressure switch and replace as necessary.
  3. Check AC compressor clutch and replace as necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 10.

Air conditioning & heating

3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

In-car temperature too hot in cold conditions and too cold in hot conditions

Affects All models with automatic climate control, 1996MY →VIN 1A 450120.Fit new part

Cause

In-car temperature sensor blower is sluggish or seized.

Repair

  1. Fit new in-car temperature sensor (blower incorporated).
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
In-car temperature sensorJTF0000301

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.

Unable to select temperature settings

Overview

Affects
All models.

Symptoms

Unable to select air direction settings.

Cause

AC control module fault.

AC/heater air mix flap motor(s) faulty.

Repair

  1. Check AC control module and replace as necessary.
  2. Check AC/heater air mix flap motor(s) and replace as necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.

Coolant loss

Overview

Affects
All models with petrol engines.

Symptoms

Engine overheating.

Cause

Cylinder head gasket leaking.

Inlet manifold gasket damaged.

Heater matrix seals leaking.

Repair steps

  1. Pressure test cooling system.
  2. Check for leaks.
  3. Replace cylinder head gasket as necessary.
  4. Replace inlet manifold gasket as necessary.
  5. Replace heater matrix seals as necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 11.

Wipers & visibility

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Wind noise from windscreen area whilst driving at high speed

Affects All models.

Cause

Distortion of windscreen trim.

Repair

  1. Replace trim at top of windscreen.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.

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

  1. Clean corrosion from wheel contact surfaces.
  2. Apply anti-seize grease to wheel contact surfaces.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Anti-seize greaseRYL105020L1

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.

Water ingress into front footwells

Affects All models.Clean & lubricate

Cause

AC evaporator drain tubes blocked.

Repair

  1. Check AC evaporator drain tubes for blockage, clean as necessary.

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
AC
Air conditioning — the system that cools the cabin
AC/Heater
The heating and air-conditioning system
Anti-Seize
Grease that stops mating parts (like a wheel on a hub) from corroding together
Compressor Pump
The pump that pressurises the air-suspension system
Control Module
A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
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-Car Temperature
The cabin-temperature sensor used by the climate control
Inlet Manifold
The housing that distributes air into the cylinders
Multifunction Control Module
The control module that runs shared electrical functions (lights, wipers, locking, and so on)
Refrigerant
The gas/liquid that carries heat in the air-conditioning system
Solenoid
An electrically operated valve or actuator
Valve Block
The set of solenoid valves that directs air or fluid in the air-suspension or gearbox
Earth
An electrical ground connection back to the battery or body
Evaporator
The air-conditioning heat exchanger in the dashboard that cools the cabin air
Head Gasket
The seal between the cylinder head and the engine block
Sleep Mode
The low-power state control modules enter when the car is parked; if one stays awake the battery can go flat

Frequently asked questions

What are the common faults with the Land Rover Range Rover 4.6?

This guide contains 11 workshop bulletins for the Land Rover Range Rover 4.6. Of these, three concern the air conditioning and heating and two the electrical and ignition. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Does every Land Rover Range Rover 4.6 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 Range Rover 4.6 faults myself?

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

Related guides

Glossary term

See in the glossary →