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sgeobeorge27



Member Since: 10 Oct 2025
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 5

United Kingdom 2000 Defender 90 Td5 HT Aintree Green
Vehicle Not Starting
Hello Everyone


I’m reaching out for assistance with my Land Rover Defender TD5, 10p which has been off the road for several months due to a persistent starting issue.

The vehicle was running perfectly until one morning it suddenly failed to start. The engine cranks but does not fire. Each time before attempting to start, I have to manually prime it by pressing the accelerator pedal five times.

Upon inspection, the air filter was found to be soaked with water. I replaced it, but the issue persisted. The following components have since been replaced without success:
• Fuel pump (new)
• Fuel return valve (new)
• ECU (replaced twice)

The first garage diagnosed a faulty ECU, then later claimed the engine had low compression and required a rebuild. They were unable to carry out the repair. I then took the vehicle to another garage, where the engine was rebuilt and another new ECU was fitted. Unfortunately, the Defender still cranks but refuses to start.

It has now been nearly nine months without any resolution, and I am keen to find a knowledgeable TD5 specialist who can correctly diagnose and fix the issue.

I would really appreciate your advice or recommendations . Am based in Cambridge but the vehicle is in Grays Essex.

Thank You
Post #1077209 10th Oct 2025 8:17am
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 6036

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
Does it still run after fuel priming? Or is that no longer working

Do they know the ecu is programmed correctly?
Is the immobiliser coming off?
Does it run with a light spray of brake cleaner?
Have they tested fuel pressure?
Post #1077216 10th Oct 2025 9:00am
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sgeobeorge27



Member Since: 10 Oct 2025
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 5

United Kingdom 2000 Defender 90 Td5 HT Aintree Green
Thanks for getting back

Its not starting but its cranking.
Yes i bought ecu programmed correctly with immobiliser Off
No have tried the quick start spray but not starting but cracking
No haven’t tested fuel pressure.
Post #1077223 10th Oct 2025 9:45am
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 6036

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
I’m not far from you SG11 Pcode and have a Nanocom with unlocked access to Td5 Defender if required.

I’d start by seeing if it runs on a small amount of brake cleaner in the air intake. If it does you then know you are just looking along the fuel system. Then look at fuel pressures and see if you can fire the injectors

Got any dash lights?
You getting good constant noise from fuel pump?
Post #1077224 10th Oct 2025 9:53am
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Hazza



Member Since: 10 Jan 2011
Location: North Yorkshire / Leeds
Posts: 243

United Kingdom 1990 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bronze Green
sgeobeorge27 wrote:

No have tried the quick start spray but not starting but cracking


I'd say this is key - if it doesn't try to run on easy start/brake cleaner then you have issues other than fuel.

I'd try spraying easy start directly into the turbo intake - just to rule out any sort of air intake obstruction.

If it still doesn't try to run then it's probably a compression issue. 1990 Defender 110 200TDI Camper - now converted to Td5 power
Post #1077235 10th Oct 2025 1:38pm
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 6036

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
Agree.

If not trying on the spray start looking at compressions and the timing of the engine.
Post #1077237 10th Oct 2025 1:52pm
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o4dn



Member Since: 08 Jan 2010
Location: South West
Posts: 598

France 2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Alaska White
I had to solve a very similar issue with a TD5 Defender for a friend of mine a year or so ago.

The ECU had been replaced, the injectors coded, and yet it would crank but never start.

I understand the ECU has got the immobilizer off, but it might still need pairing with the AS10?

A Nanocom can do that, it's pretty straightforward. Maybe worth trying? “A Land Rover immobilized is a moral defeat for the driver and bad publicity for the vehicle, […] it's up to you to do justice to your Land Rover!” - Land Rover Driving Technique.
--
2009 2.4 Puma Defender 90 SW
1979 Land Rover Series 3 88"
Post #1077242 10th Oct 2025 4:36pm
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rustandoil



Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 891

England 2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey
Check the two relays under the drivers seat.... Fuel pump and main relay, check and clean crank position sensor... These things were my crank no start and cutting out problem
Post #1077289 11th Oct 2025 6:58pm
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sgeobeorge27



Member Since: 10 Oct 2025
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 5

United Kingdom 2000 Defender 90 Td5 HT Aintree Green
landy andy wrote:
I’m not far from you SG11 Pcode and have a Nanocom with unlocked access to Td5 Defender if required.

I’d start by seeing if it runs on a small amount of brake cleaner in the air intake. If it does you then know you are just looking along the fuel system. Then look at fuel pressures and see if you can fire the injectors

Got any dash lights?
You getting good constant noise from fuel pump?


Thanks you landy andy a lot for the offer, really appreciate that. No, don't get any of the dash lights on, and the fuel pump runs with a good constant noise. Am not sure the garage guy tried it or not . If you know any mobile TD5 specialist can have a look that will be great . Because the garage guys rebuilt the engine and they are searching for someone to come and have a look . Its 9 months now they rebuilt the engine and still not starting and still they are looking whats the issue. I lost my hope in them .

Thank you
Post #1077307 11th Oct 2025 10:30pm
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sgeobeorge27



Member Since: 10 Oct 2025
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 5

United Kingdom 2000 Defender 90 Td5 HT Aintree Green
Hazza wrote:
sgeobeorge27 wrote:

No have tried the quick start spray but not starting but cracking


I'd say this is key - if it doesn't try to run on easy start/brake cleaner then you have issues other than fuel.

I'd try spraying easy start directly into the turbo intake - just to rule out any sort of air intake obstruction.

If it still doesn't try to run then it's probably a compression issue.


Thanks, yeah I’ve already tried easy start straight into the intake, but it still just cranks and doesn’t even try to fire. It’s got a newly rebuilt engine and a new crankshaft sensor as well, so I’m a bit puzzled if it’s a compression issue.
Post #1077310 11th Oct 2025 10:35pm
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bankz5152



Member Since: 02 Feb 2017
Location: South London/North Kent
Posts: 2235

 2004 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Epsom Green
Changed the injectors and the fuel pump housing?
Post #1077316 12th Oct 2025 7:51am
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sgeobeorge27



Member Since: 10 Oct 2025
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 5

United Kingdom 2000 Defender 90 Td5 HT Aintree Green
Injectors are reconditioned while rebuilding the engine and also new fuel pump as well .
Injectors are also coded to new ecu .
Post #1077321 12th Oct 2025 9:18am
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 6036

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
My thinking is.

If the engine is spinning over, whilst easy start or similar is being squirted into the air intake, and it doesn’t run (roughly) or even cough, then your engine is missing compression, or the accelerant isn’t making it into the cylinders.

Do you have EGR fitted? Are you getting the accelerant into the intake manifold?
Do you have compression?
Is the engine timed correctly as the timing would have been disturbed, and reset whilst having the head work done.

I would like to check for compression and timing, rather than just shoving loads of accelerant into the engine as it is not good for it. But using it shows it’s not just a no fuel issue to me.
Post #1077323 12th Oct 2025 11:00am
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lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 3474

United Kingdom 
This sounds crazy.... you gave the vehicle to a garage who rebuilt the engine (which wouldn't have been cheap)
And they gave it back to you "we've rebuilt the engine, replaced the ECU and fitted new injectors but it doesn't run. That will be £3,000 please..."
Did you pay them?

l assume the replacement ECU's were "unlocked" or the immobiliser disabled so they'd work with your engine.
And the fuel pump runs for 30 seconds then shuts off when you turn on the ignition. And you've replaced the MAF unit. They generally start with a faulty MAF but bizarrely mine would not. A defective starter motor can stop the engine firing even though it still turns over readily, as it can disrupt the ECU.

lt sounds like you need to take it to someone who really knows about this engine. See if there's a recommended specialist you can get it to.
Post #1077324 12th Oct 2025 11:25am
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