Defender Help! Won't start

Excuse me if I'm posting this in the wrong section, but I'm new to this site and can use some help! I have come to rely heavily on the content of such forums and find yours to be well written and informative. Although I am not mechanically inclined, as most Rover owners, I am a bit of an enthusiast,. I have a Disco in the states, but my pride and joy is my 2006 td5 Defender, which I own in Costa Rica. With that said, I'm wondering if I can get some advice because I have a problem with my Defender and the mechanic and I are at a bit of a standstill.
The short story is is doesn't start. A month ago I was having problems with my blinkers and hazards, sometime they work others, more often they didn't. Checked fuses, none blown. A week ago the truck was dead, we pushed it to start and it did so, but while driving the engine did not have enough power to move beyond second gear (engine sounded normal, just no power) then while driving, hit a bump and all power was regained, truck back to normal. But after a few hours, upon restart same thing and no power!
We replaced the battery, thinking it may be the battery- alternator combo. However, now the truck won't turn over. It sounds as though it wants to star, but doesn't seem like it's getting fuel to turn over. My mechanic checked the currents on the new battery and the alternator seems to be giving a charge, so we crossed that off!
Btw, blinkers and hazards still don't work, checked fuses only one blown was for the blower. Glow light is acting erratic, sometimes it is on others not. Another thing to mention, not sure if it's related: the oil cap had been loose and oil had spilled all over the engine. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Fuel pump??? Does it have s fuel pump reset button in the engine compartment?? the

get a new mechanic

so if it doesn't start then how does he know the alts giving a charge? did he bench test it?

first off, easy test.. check it isn't an earth problem.

jump lead one side on the neg, the other to the engine block.. does it make any difference?

when you attempt to start it, *with a charged battery*, does it turn over nice and strong? is it chucking out fuel at the exhaust?

have you checked your red plug and harness?

Thank you guys for your advice. After push starting it, started but still had no power. Checked the posts here and found the fuel pump reset button. Pushed it, heard a click and the car started right up and now has full power back. Seems like that was the fix, should I be concerned why the fuel pump button was not set? Still have the problem with blinkers and hazard lights, but will recheck the connections. Thank you both for your quick and accurate response, much appreciated!!

Check all the earth/ground points. The header next to the coolant overflow tank, the battery to frame, the bulkhead to frame, the frame to xfer case, as well as the two that attach to the rear of the frame (come from the rear lights/harness inside). Make sure all those are cleaned (wire brush, scour type pad, etc). The TD5 electrical manual is a great resource and can be found online for free. http://www.landroverweb.com/Pdf-files/Defender MY2002 Wiring Diagram.pdf Earth points start on page 12.

Also, for kicks.... check for oil in the red plug under the seat.

This will help. My earth points were corroded and had some strange symptoms... not starting, running on, no directionals or brake lights (sometimes).

Thanks Jabber.... Most of the grounds look good, but can't find the rear one? Did however, find a broken wire (which looks like it should connect to my brake fluid reservoir) and a very frayed wire running to my lights on the ARB bumper. Also, I'm sure this is a dumb question but where is the red plug under the seat you were referring to? I checked both seats both in the car and under but can't seem to find it. Thanks again!

The red plug on the ecu. It should be in the seat box under the right hand side seat.

unplug the connector shown in the attached pic and if there's oil in it replace the injector loom

sierrafery said:

unplug the connector shown in the attached pic and if there's oil in it replace the injector loom

Click to expand...

If the plug in the attached photo is what your referring to, then yes it's filled with oil. Is there a way to clean it out with out replacing it? I'm way out in Costa Rica and I'm afraid getting that piece may take a while.

that means the injector loom is gone which would cause various problems...and the oil from there travels untill the ECU's red plug and it can contaminate the ECU's internals aswell....the cure is here www.discovery2.co.uk / Workshop /Injector Harness (disregard the fact that it's a disco, being a Td5 the problem is the same, only the ECU is in a different place)

Thanks for all your advice Sierrafery....now the next project begins: trying to find a fuel injector loom in Coast Rica!

would be 15quid the shipping to Costa Rica for this LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 2 TD5 - Injector wiring Loom OE (AMR6103G) | eBay

Sierrafery, since I will be changing the injector wiring loom, I'm going to go ahead and replace the rocker cover gasket. My question is: sohould I stick to an OEM gasket or will aftermarket do? Reason being, for the oem, I'm getting quoted at close to $90, the aftermarket (China made) is $20. I know their both high, but I'm in Costa Rica and everything is expensive here. Thanks for the input.

i've never used oter than OE or genuine parts on my car so i can't help you with this sorry... but IMO with some sealant it must do the job as it's not such pressure there

Hi guys, waiting for the new injector loom to arrive and have 2 questions before starting, hope someone can advise: 1: can this be done without the use of a torque wrench? 2: What should I use to clean out the bottom plug that attaches to the loom (it has oil in it?) thanks in advance.....

Hoping someone can share some knowledge......After replacing the battery; changing the oil and both filters; replacing the fuel injector loom....I still have no power in 1 and/or 2 gear. It feels as though I can't get the engine to rev higher than say a few thousand RPM's. Just drove it around the block and could barely make it up the hill in 1st gear!

I have checked the ecu red plug and there's no oil in it. I've reset the fuel pump button in the bulkhead, still the same.

2 things that are not right: 1- the glow light comes on, Sometimes. Other times it doesn't come on. And 2- I don't hear my fuel pump turning on when I turn the ignition key.

I want to change the fuel filter because I know it's due, but I'm concerned that if the fuel pump is not working I won't be able to prime the new filter! Am I right or should I just change it anyhow?

Anyone's input hear would be greatly appreciated! Thank you....

if you dont hear the fuel pump working you need to check wiring and voltage to it, and check the relay, if all are working, then probably time to change the fuel pump

+1^^^, you dont have to 'prime' the filter whatsoever, it's on the return circuit, as long as the air bleed valve is good you just put the filter and go

Ok, changed the fuel filter, took it for a test and the problem is still there

Now I'm starting to see a little smoke from below the back of the rocker cover. Doesn't smell like oil and it's very faint but constant