Dials and lights

Hi all, my Defender 110 has just developed an issue. The indicators have stopped working, as have the temperature and fuel gauges. Hazard lights work. I have checked all the fuses and some were corroded (1995) so replaced them and they all pass the continuity test. However, no joy. I have also checked the wires on the back of the gauges and they seem to still be connected. Any ideas anyone?

Check all the earths

On mine (1986 but probably little difference tbh) there is an earth wire (black) fixed to the top of one of the master cylinders under the bonnet. I forgot to reconnect this once and got similar results to you.

Flossie said:

On mine (1986 but probably little difference tbh) there is an earth wire (black) fixed to the top of one of the master cylinders under the bonnet. I forgot to reconnect this once and got similar results to you.

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Top tip, found a wire that was hanging on by a couple of strands so reconnected that, but still no fuel, temp or indicators. I have tried looking at the wiring diagram in the manual but not having much joy.

you say that you found some corroded fuses and cleaned them did you also clean the fuse box contacts(basically a tab connector which can be replaced )I would connect a 12volt lamp holder and bulb one side to ground and
the other lead to test if you are get 12 volts on the feed side of the fuse and again on the output side with the fuse fitted the hazard will work due to the switch having two feeds a green ignition fed and purple wire battery fed
in you cleaning endeavours you may have dislodged the tab connector and pushed it out the back of the fuse box when inserting fuse this is assuming you have 20 way bladed fuse box,not trying to teach you how to suck eggs
I hope

Chandy Allen said:

Top tip, found a wire that was hanging on by a couple of strands so reconnected that, but still no fuel, temp or indicators. I have tried looking at the wiring diagram in the manual but not having much joy.

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You could fly lead earths temporarily, from the battery earth to any part of the vehicle afflicted by such issues - if this cures same - you have your answer ......

Earth return failure is so common on LR's it's a bit sad really, but hey ho ....

Also, check all the heavy earth straps - engine to chassis - chassis to gearbox, and any others too.

You can replace them with heavy duty ones for wagons for little outlay...

If ( and I do mean IF ) you have a handbrake cable - check this too as when the earths fail, this can become the substitute, with pretty undesirable results .......

Thank you all for your top tips which I will no doubt come back to in the future. After trying all I could I went to my village garage; one of the mechanics owns a very fine Series III. After an hour he found a loose wire behind the dash and solved the problem. He was also kind enough to point out about 8 ‘future projects’.