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| nininu98 Member Since: 23 Sep 2025 Location: Valletta Posts: 2  
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Hi,
I am experiencing an intermittent starting issue with my 2006 Defender 90 TD5. When I turn the key to the ON position, I wait for the glow plugs to switch off, hear the fuel pump prime, and then turn the key to the START position. The vehicle cranks, starts immediately, runs for 3–5 seconds, and then switches off. During this, there is no check engine light on the dashboard, only the oil and battery lights. If I then turn the key back to the OFF position, repeat the process (wait for glow plugs, fuel pump priming, then crank), the vehicle starts and runs normally. Once running, it drives without any issues. If I drive for a few miles, switch it off, and restart, it usually starts immediately with no problems. However, the issue occurs randomly. Work already carried out: Full oil and filters service (including a new, good-quality fuel filter) New genuine injector seals and washers replaced this week Genuine fuel pump replaced 3 years ago (approx. 14,409 miles since) Full diesel tank Battery tested under cranking load – all good Starter motor contact points replaced 4 years ago Checked the injectors harness plug and no traces of oil. This was changed 6,700 miles ago Checked red ecu plug and had very little (2 drops) traces of oil, which is now cleaned No error codes showing. The check engine light does not show on the dashboard lights as can be seen in the video. Issue video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A2mf7hsFc...drive_link Despite the above, the issue persists. Could you please suggest what to check next, or what may be the likely cause of this problem? Thank you. |
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23rd Sep 2025 12:20pm |
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| MadTom Member Since: 10 Sep 2013 Location: Olomouc Posts: 688  
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Try the fuel purge cycle before the firt problematic start. It should be related with not enough fuel in engine/bubles of air in fuel.
If this help, look for any fuel leaks - mainly fuel pressure regulator and fuel filter head. Simple to change is fuel filter. A bit harder fuel filter head, fuel pressure regulator, in tank fuel pump or injector seals. "Drobek" = The Small One - Discovery 2, "Blufínek" = The Blue Thing - Defender 130, and for me at least Ford Mondeo  |
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24th Sep 2025 6:37am |
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| Mr.Jimbo Member Since: 20 Jun 2024 Location: Rugby UK Posts: 31  
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I agree - look for fuel pressure issues/signs - I had a similar (but not running as long as 3-5 seconds, more like 1) when my FPR was leaking on the back of the cylinder head. Tell tale diesel leaking down the back of the engine.
New FPR and gaskets etc in the existing housing made it start a lot more reliably and stopped the leak. |
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24th Sep 2025 1:26pm |
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| Roukmuth Member Since: 25 Sep 2022 Location: Aurillac Posts: 5  
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Indeed, your problem could be related to the FPR (fuel pressure regulator). Check if there is a leak around that area.
It's a relatively easy component to replace. Here's a tutorial on how to do it. https://meca1.co.uk/dm1-ab-regulpresgotd5/ |
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25th Sep 2025 8:16am |
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| nininu98 Member Since: 23 Sep 2025 Location: Valletta Posts: 2
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Thank you all for your help. I’m posting how I managed to solve it. I did two specific things on the same day, and I’m not sure which one actually fixed it, so I’m sharing both.
1. As DefenderCan had suggested, I checked the inertia switch and reset it. The first click felt a bit stuck, but after resetting it three or four times, the click felt smoother. 2. I had also read on another topic(https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic44329.html?view=next) to check the two yellow relays next to the ECU. I removed them, lightly sanded all the relay contacts with fine sandpaper, adjusted the contacts slightly, and added a cable tie to ensure a secure connection.  Click image to enlarge Since doing these two things on the same day, I haven’t experienced the engine switching off again. It’s been running normally for four days now, so one of the above must have solved the issue.
Thanks again for all your help! |
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29th Sep 2025 10:25am |
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