timc1967 · Jun 28, 2014

I have a 200tdi 110 station wagon, but it seems to have no glowplug light but instead has what I recognise as a choke light.

I am wondering if perhaps someone fitted a new dash, perhaps a 2.5 petrol or V8 dash by mistake.

If so, might this explain why the fuel and temp gauges read maximum all the time while the engine is running.

Incidentally, when turning the key to ignition on, as you can see the 2 lights come on plus the "low petrol" light comes on for 3 or 4 seconds then goes out. Is it possible this has been wired as the glow plug light?

What ya think?

Marmaduke · Jun 28, 2014

I believe that is the glow plug symbol on all but the later models when it was changed to a coil symbol

Marmaduke · Jun 28, 2014

Also sounds like you've either got a bad earth or someones been messing with the wiring behind the dash

Marmaduke · Jun 28, 2014

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/poor-engine-start-59268.html

Have a read through this....

timc1967 · Jun 28, 2014

I will take a look at that - thanks - however this pup starts perfect every time. I have only had it a month though so no cold weather yet.

I agree the earth needs checking and in my reading up I thought perhaps the dash voltage regulator might be on the blink, although some posts suggest the 200tdi doesn't have a voltage reg behind the dash.

Marmaduke · Jun 28, 2014

One of the threads on there says that their glow plug light is the same as a choke symbol, which is a relief cos mine is to. Land Rover probably bought a job lot from the Bull Ring indoor market

timc1967 · Jun 28, 2014

Yeah that is good to know. Most likely just the usual earth problem or voltage gizmo as originally thought.

gse1986 · Jun 29, 2014

My 200tdi has the same dash as that - my "choke" light comes on for a few seconds, which I understand to be for the plugs. My fuel light comes on too, and then goes off once the fuel gauge has raised a bit.

timc1967 · Jun 29, 2014

Fabulous thanks for sharing that detail. I guess my "choke" light isn't working either; good to know!

sp00k · Jun 29, 2014

They don't have a voltage regulator, so it's not that!

For the glows, it depends on how it's wired. Some are activated by holding the ignition key in the pre-start position which is half a turn between ignition on and start. Others are on a relay so activate automatically when you turn the ignition on.

sharpe · Jun 30, 2014

Same dash as my 19J 2.5TD 1989 - if the TDi is a replacement engine would explain the bad wiring / incorrect displays.....what year is it? Im having problems with my temp sender at mo!!

timc1967 · Jun 30, 2014

Mine is a 1992 defender 200tdi as per original, I was checking the Vin numbers yesterday to confirm. It does sound like my problem is the typical earth issue plus glow plug warning bulb. I would have eased the dash off to attach some wires yesterday but we had some heavy rain in the afternoon.

harry2012 · Jun 30, 2014

Same dash as my March 1992 Defender 200tdi (genuine Defender engine). My glow plugs are on a Relay. Choke symbol comes on for a few seconds when cold to show the glow plugs are working.

sp00k · Jun 30, 2014

For the glows, it could be the warning bulb that's off, relay or ignition. There's not much to go wrong with the wiring. Easy enough to test with a multi-meter or test lamp. It may also be that the ignition wire has been disconnected from the relay to stop the glows activating during the warmer months. 200 TDI would only need glows in extreme conditions.

Graynub · Jun 30, 2014

I've got a 1991 200tdi, same dash and I understand the 'choke' symbol is actually the glow plugs. It's summer now and it does not start unless the plugs do their job first. Sometimes it does not start first time, been told my starter motor needs a wee clean...

Graynub · Jun 30, 2014

Also mine was held up with Gafer tape at one point. There is a bit of plastic missing from the bolt at the top. The leavers for the blowers only work when the unit is in the correct position.

timc1967 · Jun 30, 2014

Been fiddling with it this evening.

1. Changed temp sender, no different.
2. Touched a wire from gauge earth to neg terminal on battery, no different.

While doing the above i noticed the glowplug bulb is working and the relay for the glowplugs clicks so that's all working fine.

sp00k · Jun 30, 2014

timc1967 said:
Been fiddling with it this evening.

1. Changed temp sender, no different.
2. Touched a wire from gauge earth to neg terminal on battery, no different.

While doing the above i noticed the glowplug bulb is working and the relay for the glowplugs clicks so that's all working fine.

The gauge has three connections. Positive, earth and signal. To get a reading, you need voltage on positive, earth on earth and earth on signal. As test, you could take those from the battery or even test out of car. If your not getting any readings, the gauge is faulty.

timc1967 · Jun 30, 2014

sp00k said:
The gauge has three connections. Positive, earth and signal. To get a reading, you need voltage on positive, earth on earth and earth on signal. As test, you could take those from the battery or even test out of car. If your not getting any readings, the gauge is faulty.

Thanks thats good info. Been reading some more tonight so I am planning to find the big earth behind dash and make sure all is well. Then if that doesn't give the answer, take the gauge out of the dash and connect it under the bonnet to the sender, earth and as you suggest, live as well.

Just to clarify, on starting from cold Temp gauge low but gradually rises within half mile to maximum off the scale. 90% sure it's not overheating as it runs nicely for hour or more with no issues. That and the other gauges not working suggests something other than an actual overheating problem.

sp00k · Jun 30, 2014

Instrument earth is attached to the bulkhead, visible from the engine compartment - it's a thin black wire. Worth removing and cleaning. IMO it's worth cleaning all your main earths. It only takes one to be dodgy to affect everything. For example, if your engine to chassis one is poor then this will also affect your bulkhead earth.

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