Confused...which engines to avoid?

I'm sadly looking to sell my beloved Ruby, a stunning rioja red 1998 300tdi county stationwagon, I'm approaching middle age and need my creature comforts, namely a decent heater, central locking and electric windows! However I'm really confused as to which of the newer engine models are the best, I've heard bad comments about the transit engine. After looking on the Landrover official site it only states the engines as being '4 cylinder diesel' so please help!
Thanx in advance

I'd be happy with either a td5 or a puma engine.
What I don't like is the dash on the current defenders it's far too claustrophobic. So I would pick a td5 because of this.

A tad drastic me thinks, surly investing in a central locking kit and upgrading the heating will resolve your concerns!

Thanx both.....actually, there's another little reason for getting rid...it's developed a wiring 'issue' that's proving impossible to fix...when I indicate left it blows the relay switch. The experienced landrover garage has had it on and off for months and are nonplussed. I don't really want to fork out for a new loom

Fencote said:

Thanx both.....actually, there's another little reason for getting rid...it's developed a wiring 'issue' that's proving impossible to fix...when I indicate left it blows the relay switch. The experienced landrover garage has had it on and off for months and are nonplussed. I don't really want to fork out for a new loom

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i put a 32 valve quad cam lexus engine in a landy complete with all the electronics- find a decent auto electrician

Fencote said:

Thanx both.....actually, there's another little reason for getting rid...it's developed a wiring 'issue' that's proving impossible to fix...when I indicate left it blows the relay switch. The experienced landrover garage has had it on and off for months and are nonplussed. I don't really want to fork out for a new loom

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There is your problem, land rover garage, not auto electricians.

Does it blow ONLY on left indication and not on hazards?

The circuit is SO simple if you see it on paper that you would have the culprit found in about 90minutes I would expect (worst case and that would include locating it and repairing the issue even if it was buried in the dash).

If it is only on the left indication then there can only be a handful of locations the fault can be located and it will probably be between the stalk and the hazard switch and the wiring associated with only indication on the left side.

If it happens on hazard too I would start with the basics, left hand lamp holders and wiring to these.

Thanx 'discomania' I didn't realise there were auto technicians, you learn something every day....I'll find one as soon as everybody is back at work. The hazards aren't affected. You've given me some hope!

id stay away from any that say land rover on

:lol::hysterically_laughi

Deasy said:

id stay away from any that say land rover on

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:lalala:

Fencote said:

Thanx 'discomania' I didn't realise there were auto technicians, you learn something every day....I'll find one as soon as everybody is back at work. The hazards aren't affected. You've given me some hope!

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Stick at it mate.....

So the hazards work fine but there is an issue when you indicate left? - When you indicate left it blows the "relay switch"...

It blows the flasher relay? Does it blow this straight away, as soon as you indicate left first time? OR does it all appear to work then a time later it blows?

Hi 'cowasaki'
it all appears to work then a time later it blows. Very frustrating, I get it back from the garage coz they think they've fixed it, I get all excited as I've got my baby back and it happens again!

Fencote said:

Hi 'cowasaki'
it all appears to work then a time later it blows. Very frustrating, I get it back from the garage coz they think they've fixed it, I get all excited as I've got my baby back and it happens again!

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What's blowing? Is it the relay?

Could always remove the relay and use your arms out the window.

I'm betting that no one these days knows the arm signals for left, right and slowing down!!!!!!!!!!

In all seriousness you could get a cheap multimeter and fix it your self for cheaper than that visit to the garage. Lots of help on here. Just work in a process. Obvious easy to get to stuff first. Check all wiring from front and rear indicators for shorts. If it isn't blowing instant then its not a straight short it's a resistive short. Could be water or dirt causing it to track.
Try removing a bulb for a period to see if you can isolate front or rear.
Work slowly and carefully back to the stalk and relay switch and back to the fuse.
Try and look for a wiring diagram on the internet to help.

You can do it!!!!!!

James

currymunster said:

Could always remove the relay and use your arms out the window.

I'm betting that no one these days knows the arm signals for left, right and slowing down!!!!!!!!!!

In all seriousness you could get a cheap multimeter and fix it your self for cheaper than that visit to the garage. Lots of help on here. Just work in a process. Obvious easy to get to stuff first. Check all wiring from front and rear indicators for shorts. If it isn't blowing instant then its not a straight short it's a resistive short. Could be water or dirt causing it to track.
Try removing a bulb for a period to see if you can isolate front or rear.
Work slowly and carefully back to the stalk and relay switch and back to the fuse.
Try and look for a wiring diagram on the internet to help.

You can do it!!!!!!

James

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That's what I'm trying to work out.... I managed to remotely fix the last electrical fault of someone on here I'm waiting to find out what is actually blowing to help narrow it down.

The issue of working with Hazards MIGHT be a red herring! "This is an intermittent fault with the left indicator"..... You use indicators whilst driving and the vehicle is bumping around. If there is a wire with damaged insulation on the left indicator side running near to something metal and grounded (or another wire similarly damaged) it could short out IF it lights just as there is a bump and hence the intermittence. Now sticking the hazards on is not going to cause that wire to move (unless you are driving around with them on) so it isn't causing an issue.

If you brought it to me I would be start by checking the wiring between the switch and every indicator throughout it's run. This is because of the intermittence.

Worst case scenario is that you could fix it by replacing the wiring to the left indicators and this would not actually be that costly - Maybe 10 metres of Green/red wire plus a couple of indicator connectors and a side light connector. Maybe 2-3 hours work at most but finding the actual fault would be better.

Come live in Smethwick where i work, no one knows what indicators are for anyway!

Hi 'cowasaki'
Yes, it's the relay.
Hi 'currymunster'
Ok, time to come clean...I'm not actually 'Dave' who set this account up and wrote the first post, but his wife who drives the beast ...I use it for my garden maintainance business, so thanks for suggesting the hand signals, which I do know how to do but my arms are only likkle and difficult to spot! As for all the 'techy' suggestions, I appreciate your input there but it went straight over my head...just as it would have done if my husband had read it, he's in I.T. I would have thought my landy garage would have done all those things you mentioned tho? they're sick of the sight of it and would rather it be fixed too.

Fencote said:

Hi 'cowasaki'
Yes, it's the relay.
Hi 'currymunster'
Ok, time to come clean...I'm not actually 'Dave' who set this account up and wrote the first post, but his wife who drives the beast ...I use it for my garden maintainance business, so thanks for suggesting the hand signals, which I do know how to do but my arms are only likkle and difficult to spot! As for all the 'techy' suggestions, I appreciate your input there but it went straight over my head...just as it would have done if my husband had read it, he's in I.T. I would have thought my landy garage would have done all those things you mentioned tho? they're sick of the sight of it and would rather it be fixed too.

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Look for an "old fashioned" auto electrician, something like this is bread and butter to them and they will sort it. Taking to a garage will get it looked at by a mechanic. Most mechanics HATE electrics and they really can't get their heads round it at all.

As already said, there is nothing complicated in defender electrics, unlike new cars now. I hope you have not paid out too much so far... Find a autoelectrician !