Just bought a new defender some questions:
1.Are there much computer electronics in the new defender, ie will i have to go to the main dealers for diagnostics / service or can i use my existing mechanic?
2. The immobiliser, can this be permanently switched off or removed?

Regards,
Phoenix

we removed the imobilisor in a td5 by pulling it out the dash and wiring it up so its always off . meaning that it thinks it has the thing in it . its very easy . but why do you wana ours was faulty.
and they are easy to service at home aparently and if your mechaninic is any good on fords engines hell be fine . aslong as hes got current diagnostics stuff.


wot 1 did you buy then ?

Thanks bloat for response - i just feel the immobiliser is going to give me grief over time. I've been having trouble with it already! The dealership is a joke - the immobiliser is kicking in intermittently when we start it ( i.e. it the horn beeps twice and then the immobiliser cuts in ), the dealership tells me i have to use the fob everytime i get into it even if its sitting in the yard at home with the keys in it - i think this is bull**** and the fob battery won't last kissing time if i have to keep fobbing everytime i want to turn the key, the dealer also tells me that the emergency key accesss codes are not used anymore in the event of fob failure - yet the drivers manual states that these codes still are needed ( i didn't get an access code card). anyone got experince with the new model ?

The use of the fob and the auto reset is a Thatcham Cat I requirement. If you remove this your insurance will be null and void or considerably more expensive, or both.

fair'nough, so if i had a defender without a county pack, the insurance company would weigh this against me?

It depends on your insurer. My old V8 hybrid 90 with all the toys had a Toad alarm (Cat I) fitted, and as such I was paying about £180 fully comp insurance. Without it, it would have been quite a lot higher. As yours is a factory fitted unit, it is fair to say that removing something factory fitted for security is going to have a negative impact on your premiums. There are a lot being stolen at the moment. A dozen in Leeds over a 2 week period, a similar amount from Harrogate the following week, and that's just my neighbourhood