Collman

Member
My Defender 90 TD5 turns over fine, starts right away however there is a lag of 4/5 seconds before the engine picks up to full revs. This only happens when it has been sitting for a while such as first thing in the morning. Has anyone else experienced this or know what the likely cause could be.
 
My Defender 90 TD5 turns over fine, starts right away however there is a lag of 4/5 seconds before the engine picks up to full revs. This only happens when it has been sitting for a while such as first thing in the morning. Has anyone else experienced this or know what the likely cause could be.
Probably just the engine warming up. Lots of diesels with a bit of wear run a bit slow until the combustion chambers heat up.
If it starts OK, and runs Ok when warm, it is probably fine.
I assume it is fairly cold where you are, although the location means nothing to me.
 
Some engines will not give you full rpms until they see decent oil pressure from cold start.
 
Thank you. I was thinking that it may be a fuel pump problem but I suppose that would cause problems all the time, not just on a cold start up.
 
l bet the MAF unit has had it. l had exactly the same and it was the MAF

Simple test
Disconnect it and see if the fault clears. lf it does, replace it.
 
Accelerator is FBW (A potentiometer) might be worth a look, damp connection, worn contacts?

Otherwise my cupboard of ideas is now cobwebs….
 
l bet the MAF unit has had it. l had exactly the same and it was the MAF

Simple test
Disconnect it and see if the fault clears. lf it does, replace it.
If the MAF has failed would the car not be sluggish all the time rather than just on start up?
 
If the MAF has failed would the car not be sluggish all the time rather than just on start up?

No, it runs poorly for a few seconds then the ECU reverts to default settings

Just unplug it and see if the fault clears. lf there's no difference at least you'll know what it isn't.
 
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No, it runs poorly for a few seconds then the ECU reverts to default settings

Just unplug it and see if the fault clears. lf there's no difference at least you'll know what it isn't.
I have a similar issue and assumed it was just a quirk of the td5 as I am used to older pre electronic diesels. I have exactly the same issue, starts first time every time but takes somewhere between 5-10 seconds before you can rev it up properly. If you do pull away in this time have low power and revs then it remedies itself and is back to full power. I had got as far as working out it was a fueling issue and it is not delivering enough fuel until it has settled after this initial period. I will try unplugging the maf and seeing if that makes a difference. I will also check the injector loom again although this was checked and was clean about 6 months ago and have had the issue since I started using the vehicle. I "get around" it by starting the engine as soon as I get in the vehicel and then by the time seatbelt is on and phone is plugged in satnav set etc it has settled and is good to go at full power.
 
I have a similar issue and assumed it was just a quirk of the td5 as I am used to older pre electronic diesels. I have exactly the same issue, starts first time every time but takes somewhere between 5-10 seconds before you can rev it up properly. If you do pull away in this time have low power and revs then it remedies itself and is back to full power. I had got as far as working out it was a fueling issue and it is not delivering enough fuel until it has settled after this initial period. I will try unplugging the maf and seeing if that makes a difference. I will also check the injector loom again although this was checked and was clean about 6 months ago and have had the issue since I started using the vehicle. I "get around" it by starting the engine as soon as I get in the vehicel and then by the time seatbelt is on and phone is plugged in satnav set etc it has settled and is good to go at full power.
I was thinking all the same things as you. I changed the injector loom at the weekend but it made no difference. It is always worse when it is very cold so I did add glow plugs to the list of possibilities. I too will try the MAF as I have occasionally noticed a lag in power when accelerating.
 
Have you tried disconnecting the MAF unit yet

Takes ten seconds (once the bonnet is open!)
Costs nothing

Disconnect it, go for a drive and see what happens

lt's also a very easy part to change if it does turn out to be defective, takes about five minutes
 
Have you tried disconnecting the MAF unit yet

I did and it didn't make a difference to the delay I am experiencing on start up. It doesn't cause me any issues and has happily been like it for the last 18months so I plan on ignoring it and continuing as I have been.
 

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