Workshop
Faults & fixes
Describe what your Land Rover is doing, pick your model, and see the likely causes with suggested fixes, how hard each one is and roughly what it costs.
35 faults for the Series IIA / IIB Forward Control
Clear search- BrakesHigh severity
Brakes pulling to one side
Vehicle pulls left or right under braking.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III2 fixes - Chassis & bodyHigh severity
Bulkhead footwell and door pillar rot
Holes in footwells, bubbling around door pillars, water leaks into the cabin.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender2 fixes - Gearbox & transferHigh severity
Clutch pedal goes to the floor
Pedal sinks or stays down, clutch drags so gears are hard to select, fluid loss from the reservoir.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes - Gearbox & transferHigh severity
Clutch will not disengage on Series (cross-shaft failure)
Clutch pedal works but the vehicle will not come out of gear, or the pedal suddenly goes light with no clutch action.
Series II / IIA · Series III3 fixes - BrakesHigh severity
Corroded brake pipes (MOT failure)
MOT advisory or failure for corroded brake pipes.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender2 fixes - BrakesHigh severity
Hard brake pedal (servo)
Pedal hard with poor stopping power, hissing when braking.
Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender2 fixes - Chassis & bodyHigh severity
Rear crossmember and outrigger rot
Holes or flaking in the rear crossmember and outriggers, MOT failure.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes - CoolingHigh severity
Series engine overheating
Temperature gauge high, boiling over, loss of power on hills.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III3 fixes - Axles & drivelineHigh severity
Snapped rear half-shaft
Loud bang followed by no drive to the rear (in high range with diff lock off), or the vehicle moves only with front drive engaged.
Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 1273 fixes - Fuel systemMedium severity
Air in the fuel or failing lift pump
Engine dies after running a while, hard starting after standing, bubbles in the clear fuel line.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender · 2.25 Diesel, 2.5 Diesel, 2.5 Diesel Turbo, 200Tdi, 300Tdi2 fixes - ElectricalMedium severity
Battery goes flat overnight
Flat battery after standing for a day or two.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes - Axles & drivelineMedium severity
Differential whine or clunk
Whining from the axle that changes between drive and overrun, clunk when turning, or metallic noise.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender3 fixes - ElectricalMedium severity
Dynamo not charging (ignition light stays on)
Red ignition warning light stays on, battery goes flat.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III3 fixes - ElectricalMedium severity
Misfire or no start on points ignition
Engine misfires, struggles to start or cuts out, especially in damp weather.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · 2.25 Petrol, 2.6 Petrol, 3.5 V83 fixes - EngineMedium severity
Oil leaking from the bellhousing (rear main seal)
Oil dripping from the bottom of the bellhousing, clutch slip if oil reaches the friction plate.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender2 fixes - Axles & drivelineMedium severity
Oil leaking from the front swivel housings
Oily film or drips on the chrome swivel balls and inside of the front wheels, low oil level in the swivel housing, possible oil on brake shoes or discs.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender4 fixes - SuspensionMedium severity
Sagging or broken leaf springs
Vehicle sits low or leans to one side, bump stops hit easily, harsh knocking over bumps, a cracked leaf visible on inspection.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III3 fixes - Gearbox & transferMedium severity
Series gearbox jumping out of gear
Gear lever pops back into neutral on the overrun, typically in second or third, or when lifting off over bumps.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III3 fixes - ElectricalMedium severity
Starter motor clicks but does not turn
Single click when turning the key, slow cranking.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III · 90 / 110 / 127 · Defender2 fixes - SteeringMedium severity
Steering shimmy and wander on leaf sprung models
Steering wheel shakes or the vehicle wanders across the road, particularly over ruts and at speeds above 40 mph.
Series I · Series II / IIA · Series III4 fixes
This is general guidance gathered from owner experience and workshop practice, not a substitute for a workshop manual or a qualified mechanic. Costs are rough parts-only guides. Brakes, steering and suspension work affects safety, so if in doubt have it checked professionally.