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LandymanStefan



Member Since: 30 Aug 2017
Location: Surrey
Posts: 860

England 2001 Defender 90 Td5 SW Epsom Green
Dash lights flickering
I have an issue with 2 amber dash lights flickering. One is the moisture in the fuel warning light this one flickers all of the time. The other is the diff lock light, only flickers when the diff lock is engaged.

Is it a coincidence that these two are both amber ones?

What should I check? The ecu earth under the seat is fine. Are there any earthing points specifically for the dash lights?

Anyone else had this and sorted it?
Post #927823 30th Oct 2021 1:41pm
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4RF RDS



Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 890

Canada 2000 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Epsom Green
Had the water light do that it turned out to be the plug at the sensor on the filter was quite dirty. Cleaned it up and flickering went away, though you might just have water in the filter

As for the diff lock mine used to do that when I engaged it as well. I traced it and the wire has continuity and the switch in the t-case is good as well. When I pulled the dash panel and unplugged it all connections looked good. Put it back together and it worked. Except a few months later it stopped working once again. Now it won’t illuminate at all when engaged. So try all connections first would be my suggestion

Good luck 2010 Range Rover MkIII Autobiography Super Charged (Idris)
2003 Range Rover Mk III (Desmond FitzWilliam)
2000 Defender 110 CSW TD5 (CTX)
1992 Range Rover Classic (Lizzy)
1972 Series III 300 Tdi (Stanwood)
1967 MGB GT

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
Post #927851 30th Oct 2021 5:28pm
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geobloke



Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4350

United Kingdom 
Really interesting I have had a similar issue lately where pushing the wash wipe makes the water in fuel light flicker. You are right, it has to be an earthing problem. I think there is an earth point behind the dash against the bulkhead.

That is where I am going to begin. But first TD4 timing belt...
Post #927929 31st Oct 2021 10:58am
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nobbyclark



Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 42

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Tonga Green
The light that illuminates the speedo has started flickering. It's obviously normally green but now occasionally flicks between blue/green/off and only on the right hand side of the speedo. I'm not sure it used to do it but I don't drive it in the dark that often. Checked all the fuses and they are OK. Could it be related to fitting LED bulbs all around? I ask because I had to remove the instrument binnacle to fit a new indicator relay and even though I'm sure everything is still connected, I wonder if something is now shorted and/or poorly earthed.
Post #930704 22nd Nov 2021 5:24pm
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geobloke



Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4350

United Kingdom 
If you have LED bulbs fitted then that is why you are getting a slight change from green to blue. The LED is either dying or the tiny connecting wires aren't contacting the bulb holder adequately.

To be honest, this is one of the reasons I returned back to standard bulbs in my dash. The light is a lovely level and consistent across the dash.

My bulb of choice are the Osram 286 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B073HC...&psc=1
Post #930716 22nd Nov 2021 6:02pm
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4RF RDS



Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 890

Canada 2000 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Epsom Green
Geobloke, in my experience that is the LED bulb failing. You can try to re-seat the flickering bulb or just pull it and install new one. I went through this as well and replaced the LEDs with green in incandescent bulbs.

Good luck Thumbs Up 2010 Range Rover MkIII Autobiography Super Charged (Idris)
2003 Range Rover Mk III (Desmond FitzWilliam)
2000 Defender 110 CSW TD5 (CTX)
1992 Range Rover Classic (Lizzy)
1972 Series III 300 Tdi (Stanwood)
1967 MGB GT

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
Post #930738 22nd Nov 2021 7:49pm
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nobbyclark



Member Since: 19 Jan 2011
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 42

United Kingdom 2005 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Tonga Green
I should have been clearer (especially on a topic about lights): I replaced the external bulbs with LEDs (sidelights, indicators, etc) but not the dashboard bulbs. They are all still the same. Thanks for the link to the bulbs; I'll order some as it looks like the dash bulbs are on their way out.
Post #930760 23rd Nov 2021 8:16am
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19452

United Kingdom 
Mine is not a TD5, but all my exterior lighting is LED and has been great.
Sadly not so good on the interior though..

Had no issues with the interior light being LED or anything like that but the centre dash I thought would be good to upgrade to LED.

Wrong, hadn’t had them in a few months, some failed and some started flickering.
After 6 months over half were out.
No reason for it, must just be poorly made.

Went back to the standard little cap bulbs I got from Lucas. All good since.
I considered changing the clock light to LED as well but glad I didn’t and replaced with a new bulb instead.

I wouldn’t trust them in a dash dial binnacle either if it was me. Diesels Lives Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️
And if You Love the Country, then we’re on the same side ~
I got’ love for Britain, I got’ British pride’. 🇬🇧


Last edited by custom90 on 23rd Nov 2021 9:18pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #930852 23rd Nov 2021 5:33pm
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4RF RDS



Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 890

Canada 2000 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Epsom Green
Custom90steve, the clock bulb is LED just not very good and the unit is sealed. I had the same experience as you did with dash LED bulbs. Went back to incandescent. You can get green ones and they are every bit as good as LED. Thumbs Up



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https://www.ebay.ca/itm/393478544448 2010 Range Rover MkIII Autobiography Super Charged (Idris)
2003 Range Rover Mk III (Desmond FitzWilliam)
2000 Defender 110 CSW TD5 (CTX)
1992 Range Rover Classic (Lizzy)
1972 Series III 300 Tdi (Stanwood)
1967 MGB GT

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
Post #930884 23rd Nov 2021 7:40pm
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jeffersj



Member Since: 23 Jan 2015
Location: Near Preston
Posts: 431

United Kingdom 1996 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Bronze Green
If you have fitted external LEDs all around then this will highlight any earth problems beacuse the LEDs draw so little power. Jeff
Ex 1968 Series 2A
Ex 90 TD5
Ex D3
Ex D4
Post #930987 24th Nov 2021 2:33pm
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