Thread: defender 2006 traction control not working.

Put a Nanocom on it and see if the ABS ecu has errors
When crossaxled and you get the flash of the light on the dash do you get a growl from the pump?
You can test the pump from a Nanocom from memory if ABS is working then the system is likely sound
Do you have 2 lights lit on the dash when you start the car one goes out after a short time the other when you reach 7 kmh

As Djam1 said, put a Nanocom on to see if you get any ABS related errors. The way the ABS is designed, I can't see how the ABS can work and the TC not.

I must say that my first thought on reading this thread was that The OP may have brake pads that need time to warm like Bendix, or that his braking system has not been bled correctly for a long time.
I have seen a video of a Defender with ABS going across muddy wombat holes and the Traction control does work if working properly.

In my D2 I fitted Lucas pads as they are soft like OE and regularly(well every 2years) bleed my brakes.

If the discs get wet say crossing a river, it takes a few seconds for the discs to dry , then away you go.
My ABS pumps even when I cross a gutter!

Does a Defender have Hill Descent control? If it has then a way to check is get on steep downhill and put into low and away you go.

Regards Philip A
I also exercise my Traction control by using HDC every month or so in my street.

Even old brake fluid can effect it but if the pump isn’t engaging then there is an issue
Nanocom should give a code

OK so I have been to the LR specialist, there is no errors on the diagnostics, the return pump turns on with the tool.

I have put the car on stands so that no wheel was touching the ground and with the engine running check each wheel, the tc lights comes on when each wheel is turned but does not apply the brakes during a "slip condition - tc engagement" !

Keep in mind abs works as expected!

What should I check next? I don't want to pay 3.5K for a new ABS modulator!!

This traction control only works across the axle not diagonally or end to end.
If you jack up the front right hand and the rear left hand tyres and try to drive off does the pump cut in?
You will need to give it a few revs
In this situation the traction control will attempt to put on the front right hand and rear left hand brakes on
As mentioned by Phillip if your pads need to warm up the effectiveness at this stage will be limited
The modulators don't need to be replaced they can be fixed for under 1/3rd of the cost of a new one
Your all 4 wheels off the ground scenario proves little as you wont spin the wheel fast enough to get the brakes to engage

OK, this is getting beyond my expertise with the Wabco ABS (which is limited).

To my knowledge, none of the Td5 defenders has hill descent control, but I could be wrong.

Did the LR specialist comment on your problem at all? Have you googled for similar issues?

I am fairly sure that an ABS pump, modulator or sensor error would throw up a fault code.

What makes you confident that the ABS actually works apart form the dash light.

I am not sure if the car has to drive for a certain distance for the TC to work, i.e. all four wheels spinning at the same peed.

No TD5 Defenders had HDC the system is the same as the early Puma