Land Rover Defender TD5 ABS Modulator

Hi Guys,

Currently having a few problems with my ABS modulator with my Defender XS (2004). After doing some testing I've discovered my ABS modulator isn't working - well, I think the modulator itself is working but the motor has gone.

Having done some research and finding out the horrendous price of these new (almost 2 grand plus VAT) I'll need to fix it some other way and unfortunatly there arn't many spare ones of these about. I've noticed that there is plenty of Discovery 2 modulators for sale and heard these were ok to swap with the more scarce defender ones. Anyone know if this is true?

If the modulator itself isn't the same then perhaps the motor could be swapped? I think its this that is causing me problems.

The part number is SRB 500041 04 (obviously made by Wabco).

Anyone else had this problem and any ideas on how to resolve this? I'm sick of my 3 lights being on!

Thanks in advance,

Tom

Do a google search for abs modulator fix. There is a site that shows a possible repair bypassing the block connector getting rid of a poor connection. It may be on the Discovery 2 website.

There are also shuttle valves on eBay to fix one of the common issues with the modulator. I didn't get mine sorted on my D2 td5 and sold it on cheap.

Thanks for your reply!

Unfortunatly its not the shuttle valve problem and is a problem with the motor itself I think.

Have you had the codes read? I think it will tell you what the Issue is. There are secondhand units on eBay for a lot less than new.

Also look up Hummer ABS faults, as I believe they use the same Wabco unit.

Take a look at ecutesting.com . I found their website when I had an ABS problem (turned out to be a wheel sensor). They overhaul Wabco ABS units. They were mentioned in the Daily Telegraph motoring problem sction yesterday.

I've got a Nanocom which reads the codes. Its almost certainly the motor on the actual pump as the slow blow fuse (under the drivers seat) has popped and when replaced and I try to run the motor again (off the nanocom) it pops..

Does anyone have any knowledge of if the motors are inter-changeable off the discovery 2 units and defender ones?

No idea but I cant imagine they would have used different motors on virtually identical units.

i had a motor go on a def td5 modulator,damaged the block though new one was a £1000 from britpart ,modulator parts are available on ebay

Thanks for your replies!

When you say 'damaged the block' was this due to the motor failing? When you had the modulator removed did it look like the motor was able to be swapped? Sorry for asking a stupid question but the landy is in daily use and can't have it off the road for weeks.. Until I pull my finger out and finish my Series 2 rebuild!

Just thought I would let you all know how I've fixed this problem incase anyone has this difficulty in the future.

I purchased a ABS unit off Ebay. This had come off a 2000 Discovery 2. It looked identical and cost a fraction of the price of a new Defender one except there was one huge difference.. The ports were the brake lines run were in a different order.

My defender one: FL FR RL RR

Purchased Discovery: FL RR FR RL

Obviously this wouldn't work and would end up in a disaster if you had to use ABS or TC as the wrong wheels would lock up when the ECU wanted to brake a wheel in particular but sent the pressure off to a different wheel altogethor.

I took the punt and fitted it. When it was on I could possibly change the plumbing so that the correct lines went to the correct port on the modulator and all would be well. Turns out that it wasn't neccesary as the modulator still works the correct wheels when requested. Happy days.

Since I had my old Defender modulator now on the bench I though I would try to figure out what was wrong. I removed the black plastic cover to reveal the motor. Two allan bolts held the motor in place so I removed them and took the motor off. At the end of the driveshaft which pumps the two pistons there is a small ball bearing. This had completely crumbled with balls everywere. This is my problem and hopefully someone on here might be able to tell me were to find a new bearing for it?

Hope this may help someone out...

Tom Kirk

Dear Kirky1993,

That is very interesting indeed.

I also recently brought a disco abs unit from an ebay company and returned it (still waiting on refund) when a LR indy spanner guru told me only a new unit would do and that the disco unit could not go on a 'fender.

I think you may have uncovered the holy grail of truth ABS wise.

Somebody I know bought a new modulator recently too for 1300! He's delighted now either way as he has a great pedal again after repeatedly getting spongy brakes.

I'm glad I don't have ABS on mine anyway to be honest as they just seem a pain by all accounts from bleeding the system to modulators and things going wrong

Glad you got it sorted, very interesting.

The local Indy garage who has been very helpful with all my Land Rovers when I get stuck, pretty much said fit a new modulator, don't bother trying a SH one. But as the codes needed clearing I didn't even try to strip it down and fix it.

Got a 90 300tdi now, no electronics ;-)

Did you ever get your old unit repaired with the crushed ball bearing replaced?? seems this problem is going to grow as the vehicles age...........

Not yet, It's on my list of things to do but never seem to find time. I'll probably take it to a bearing makers and get one made up as wabco won't let on any information on where to get spares. The £90 Discovery modulator is still working a treat a year on!

Kirky1993 said:

I took the punt and fitted it. When it was on I could possibly change the plumbing so that the correct lines went to the correct port on the modulator and all would be well. Turns out that it wasn't neccesary as the modulator still works the correct wheels when requested. Happy days.

Click to expand...

Hello Tom,

I read your post with great interest, as I am in need of a replacement module and couldn't possible afford a Defender original. I hope you don't mind my asking. When you say you fitted it, could you elaborate a little, because I will need to try this myself. Its my only car and I can't afford to have it off the road for long.

The ports on the Disco part are in a different order to the Defender original, so which wheel did you attach to which port? Did you just follow the original defender wheel order ignoring the marks on the new module or connect each wheel to the correct port on the new module? FR to FR, RR to RR etc. I hope this makes sense. I'm assuming the latter but I need to be sure.

Sorry if it sounds like a dopey question, I have no clue about mechanics but willing to skin the knuckles.

paul

Hi There
I know its been a while since your last post but I would like to know how the ABS Modulator has been working as thinking of replacing My Defender 90 with Disco Modulator. Mine is leaking brake fluid from back of Modulator so needs to be done and the price difference is amazing .
Cheers
Lee

Sorry for dragging up an old post. Just got my 05 Defender back having replaced the ABS module with a unit from an 03/04 Discovery. Straight swap. No adaptations needed. No changes to plumbing, keep the wheel pattern from the Defender and ignore the pattern on the replacement. Its essentially an identical unit. Three amigos gone, ABS working fine. 100 Euro from a breaker versus 2000+ from a stealer.:clap2: Turned out to be same problem as Kirky1993. Ball bearing in bits and rusted.

Kirky1993 said:

Hi Guys,

Currently having a few problems with my ABS modulator with my Defender XS (2004). After doing some testing I've discovered my ABS modulator isn't working - well, I think the modulator itself is working but the motor has gone.

Having done some research and finding out the horrendous price of these new (almost 2 grand plus VAT) I'll need to fix it some other way and unfortunatly there arn't many spare ones of these about. I've noticed that there is plenty of Discovery 2 modulators for sale and heard these were ok to swap with the more scarce defender ones. Anyone know if this is true?

If the modulator itself isn't the same then perhaps the motor could be swapped? I think its this that is causing me problems.

The part number is SRB 500041 04 (obviously made by Wabco).

Anyone else had this problem and any ideas on how to resolve this? I'm sick of my 3 lights being on!

Thanks in advance,

Tom

Click to expand...

Hi Tom, got the same news yesterday from the diagnostic, looking at my options but what I’m struggling with is how you actually get to and remove the unit