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View Full Version : Td5 limp mode, injector issues? Help diagnosing



Isaac12277
5th February 2016, 03:02 PM
Afternoon everyone,

I'm having an ongoing issue with the Defender. Its a 2000 Td5, has a performance upgrade on the aftermarket Bruce Davis ecu.

The original problem was the car would drop into what seemed like a limp mode, not firing on all cylinders, could keep limping it until it got worse and cut out all together. Turning the car off and on brought it back to normal. I was going into the shop to have this looked at ( classic injector harness issues i thought) however we soon found out the coolant was full of diesel (I have another post covering these repairs http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/230609-big-td5-issues-coolant-full-diesel.html) but basically overhauled the lot, new head and all associated parts and complete new cooling system and fuel cooler rebuild, quite the pricey incident. We thought this would solve the issue as a crack in the fuel rail on the old head might have meant it wasn't getting the flow it should however with the new rock solid engine the issue remains.

It logs faults on all injectors when this occurs. The fantastic guys that I have been working with are adamant all injectors aren't stuffed but it could be one causing a really bad miss which throws the others out. Their suspicions lie with the injectors or the fuel pump. I left it with them for a day and it wouldn't play up for them. At first I thought the issue was more apparent while the engine was under load, I don't tow but do drive on soft sand on occasion but on the drive home from the shop it displayed the mentioned symptoms while taking a right hand turn whilst accelerating and come to think of it this has caused the issue in the past I have just not linked it. So perhaps it isn't the load put on the engine caused by soft sand but the excessive bumping around that could replicate a right turn. These symptoms only really start to appear after at least 30 minutes of driving.

I am hoping to have to back to them for a week next time so they can get it to play up I just thought I'd run this by the veterans on here so if they had any ideas, i could possibly try and diagnose over the weekend such as harnesses rubbed through in certain spots or the like, sensors or switches I can check as this is not the classic oil in the loom causing a miss.

Cheers!

ATH
6th February 2016, 09:12 AM
Have you checked out the TPO? I had similar symptoms on my 2003 Td5 years ago and required flat bedding from Newman to Perth. It would tick over all day and sometimes drive great then cough splutter and cut out all together sometimes or go into that limp mode thing .
Worth a check.
AlanH.

roverv8
6th February 2016, 09:17 AM
Ok, just a Question...


Who did the head work to your engine, they should know this but...
The injectors are coded 1 to 5 to the ecu, they have to be put back to the same position/cylinder they were taken out from.

Just a thought

Isaac12277
6th February 2016, 09:30 AM
Ok, just a Question...


Who did the head work to your engine, they should know this but...
The injectors are coded 1 to 5 to the ecu, they have to be put back to the same position/cylinder they were taken out from.

Just a thought

They were very experienced Landy specialists, the car was showing these symptoms prior to having this work done so it wasn't an issue with reassembly. Cheers for the response!

Isaac12277
6th February 2016, 09:34 AM
Have you checked out the TPO? I had similar symptoms on my 2003 Td5 years ago and required flat bedding from Newman to Perth. It would tick over all day and sometimes drive great then cough splutter and cut out all together sometimes or go into that limp mode thing .
Worth a check.
AlanH.

Great thanks for your response, just did a very quick search for TPO and can't find a lot, are you able to tell me exactly what was fixed on yours to alleviate the issue?
Cheers!

peter_yqm
8th February 2016, 05:07 PM
The symptoms you describe happened to my my03 td5 and were caused by a burnt/faulty fuel pump relay; it's a standard relay so an aftermarket replacement from Jaycar was a quick fix purchased with a spare for the tool box at a cheaper price than a genuine unit. Symptoms felt like limp mode but just no fuel pressure.
Just a thought
.........peter

Lionel
8th February 2016, 09:39 PM
Have you checked out the TPO? I had similar symptoms on my 2003 Td5 years ago and required flat bedding from Newman to Perth. It would tick over all day and sometimes drive great then cough splutter and cut out all together sometimes or go into that limp mode thing .
Worth a check.
AlanH.

I had a misfiring problem with my 2004 TD5, which turned nasty between Ararat & Maryborough with the engine losing throttle control & only running at idle.

Fortunately at this point the engine light came on. Restarting brought everything back to normal, but as the car was still under warranty, I got it into the dealer very quickly, & they were able to diagnose the Throttle Potentiometer as the problem. When the engine light comes on with this fault it leaves a code on the ECU.

If this is the problem, & it has gone into limp mode, it should be easy to diagnose with Testbook or a Nanacom.

Also check turbo hoses for de-lamination, & also the wastegate linkage for free travel.

Cheers,

Lionel

DeeJay
8th February 2016, 09:54 PM
The symptoms you describe happened to my my03 td5 and were caused by a burnt/faulty fuel pump relay; it's a standard relay so an aftermarket replacement from Jaycar was a quick fix purchased with a spare for the tool box at a cheaper price than a genuine unit. Symptoms felt like limp mode but just no fuel pressure.
Just a thought
.........peter


My '99 TD5 also was cutting out on corners. Is it more prevalent when on half tank or less? If so, my money will be on a faulty fuel pump as this is an early symptom. The pump gets so ****weak that it begins to rely on the weight of the fuel & when you corner it is enough to cause the pump to lose pressure. Mine also only did it after 20 min driving with no corners. ( also new head, cooler etc etc prior to this starvation issue) I would also replace the little valve at the fuel filter. I did both together but I'm sure it was the fuel pump failing.
Make sure you replace with a VDO ( & learn from my mistakes;) )
Cheers, David

ATH
9th February 2016, 09:16 AM
I didn't have a nanocom or similar when I had TPO probs and no one could diagnose it over the phone.
Impossible to get any sense out of 99% of the population in Newman when talking Landrovers.... :mad:
AlanH.