That is really helpful!! I will PM my details and if you still have the light on your old FL1 we can discuss costs. Thank you so much.

Thanks! No they are not that common but parts are very expensive if you get them from LR in Beziers or Montpellier. Thanks for the info on breakers - will take a look. We are about 30 km from Beziers. Leboncoin is excellent and I have sold/bought many things through the site (seems to be...

Thanks. This is a small village - especially at this time of year - and I can only assume someone has seen the vehicle parked up over the break and taken advantage. My wife is on the municipal council and will raise this - and I am also wondering whether I should report it to the gendarmes...

Well, well ,well, full of seasonal cheer here in the south of France. Went to take the hippo for a run to my daughter's in Toulouse after New Year and noticed someone had removed the rear right hand side fog/reversing lamp cluster. Handy thief must have had a torx screwdiver with them ...

Happy New Year!

Got that one diagnosed quickly! And Hippo is there with the part number ... This forum operates at lightening speed. Good luck with the changeover ( I actually ended up with a mild case of tennis elbow after taking that job on!!) Will this be your way of ringing in the New Year?

I have a diesel L series but I would imagine the prop shaft assemblies are similar? However I am not aware of a rubber boot at the diff end of the propshaft? I had a similar problem and it was the UJ joint that had gone (badly) between the prop and the difff. A cheap fix at home but lots of...

Probably unrelated but if by any chance they had disconnected the instrument console during the works there is a plug at the top of the unit which links to the immobiliser. If that is not plugged back in the ignition will show it is on but the engine will fail to turn when the key is turned. I...

Or even a trickle from the end of a watering can ....

Ineresting thread! OK I dont have every single receipt but I know what the main expenses have been here in France 1999 Frelander L series diesel Purchsae price January 2013 €3800 VCU and support bearings Bells 255 pounds so around €325 Diff bearing front mount €45 New top end valves...

As above - most likely joints or bearings connected to the propshaft so take it off with VCU and see if it still vibrates. If not, check VCU bearings, UJ joints and front joint for play. My rear UJ joint where prop meets diff was well knackered and that started with vibrations at certain...

Have you tightened everything up to the correct torques? The diff mounts only fit one way so I doubt you would have got them wrong. If it was UJs they would have been noticable before the change - unless they got a knock or a whack during dismounting. Did you mark the exact location of the...

Better the devil you know..... You might pick up a newer freelander with no abs lights but it seems it is only a matter of time that they will revisit and haunt you in a newer beastie ....

Oh dear - sorry to hear that Grumpy. At least you didnt have to replace the dash bulbs to see whether the warning lights were on (as I did). Anyway I am now resigned to buying a Hawkeye as this seems to be the only reader that can crack most things on a Freelander. Sure it is expensive, but I...

Well now, fancy that. My first car was a vitesse as well. 1966 convertable white with black stripe. It was the 1600 version but still fast and quite economical. The rear suspension (a big leaf spring) turned the wheels in when you went round corners making handling very scary (ditched it...

Thanks Grumpy Gel - not wishing to hi jack this thread but I am challenged by the ABS problem. I am pretty competent mechancially - changed the VCU, UJ's general servicing etc but lack of a diagnostic tool has me scuppered. I thought of a Hawkeye but then wondered if it was worth it in case I...

Grumpy Gel - Excellent write up - should be a sticky for new buyers. Thanks. Yes - best to check the dash lights as well. I dd when I bought mine and noticed an absence of ABS and associated lights on the bulb check before starting the engine. I bought it regardlesss because everything else...

A lot of people swear by the older Rover diesel engine - Di - as it is more straightforward to work on with good reliability. Service history is important but a good nose around here will tell you the common things to look for if you start inspecting. Make sure it has a propshaft fitted!

Yes - I realised that when doing some google searches! I have orderd some 1.2 watt ones and will take things step by step. Roll on Saturday .......... I have an MOT (CT here in France) in a month's time so I need to crack this one with some haste. Thanks again

Hi Now I am thinking R286 plain, 1.2 watt. I suppose I could order a mix just to be sure! Thanks for you help Gareth