Get Controls & instruments -> Warning lights Guide for Land Rover Defender 90 SUV First Generation (1990-2016)

Warning lights

The warning lights are colour coded as

follows:

RED lights are warnings.

WARNING

DO NOT drive if a RED warning light remains

on once the engine is running or illuminates

whilst driving.

GREEN & BLUE lights indicate that a unit is

operating.

AMBER lights show that a unit is operating

and should be switched off (or rectified) as

soon as conditions allow.

Low engine oil pressure - RED

Illuminates as a bulb check

when the starter switch is

turned to position ’II’ and extinguishes when

the engine is running. If it remains on, or

illuminates whilst driving, STOP THE VEHICLE

as soon as safety permits and seek qualified

assistance before continuing. Always check oil

levels when this light illuminates.

NOTE: At very low ambient temperatures, the

light may take several seconds to extinguish.

Battery charging - RED

Illuminates as a bulb check

when the starter switch is

turned to position ’II’ and extinguishes when

the engine is running. If it remains on, or

illuminates whilst driving, a fault is indicated.

Seek qualified assistance urgently.

Handbrake & brake system-

RED

The light illuminates when the

handbrake is applied and extinguishes when it

is fully released. If the light illuminates while

the handbrake is released, a fault with the

braking system is indicated, check the brake

fluid level (see ’Maintenance’). If the light

continues to illuminate, seek qualified

assistance urgently.

Direction indicators - GREEN

Flashes in conjunction with the

direction indicators. If the light

does not illuminate, this may indicate a bulb

failure in the warning light pack or in one of

the direction indicator lights.

Headlight main beam - BLUE

Illuminates whenever the main

beam headlights are on.

Warning lights

Hazard warning lights - RED

Illuminates in conjunction with

the direction indicator warning

lights, when the hazard warning lights are

operated.

Differential lock - AMBER

Illuminates whenever the

differential lock is engaged.

If the light remains on after the differential

lock is disengaged, transmission ’wind up’

may be present. Reversing for a short

distance and then going forward will usually

’unwind’ the transmission. If the light remains

on, contact your dealer as soon as possible.

Heated rear screen - AMBER

Illuminates when the rear

screen heater is operating.

Engine immobilisation - RED

Flashes during any attempt to

start the engine when the

engine is immobilised.

Trailer direction indicators -

GREEN

Flashes in conjunction with the

vehicle direction indicator lights to show that

all trailer indicator lights are functioning

correctly. In the event of a bulb failure on the

trailer, the warning light flashes once and then

remains off.

NOTE: When a trailer is not fitted, the

warning light will only flash once.

Sidelights - GREEN

Illuminates whenever the

sidelights are on.

Rear fog guard lights - AMBER

Illuminates whenever the rear

fog guard lights are on.

REMEMBER: In clear conditions, rear fog

guard lights can dazzle other road users. Use

ONLY when visibility is severely restricted.

Glow plugs - AMBER

(diesels only)

Illuminates whenever the

starter switch is turned to position ’II’ if the

engine is cold. WAIT for the light to extinguish

before starting the engine.

Anti-lock braking system -

AMBER (if fitted)

Illuminates for approximately 1

second as a bulb and system check when the

starter switch is turned to position ’II’, and

briefly extinguishes before coming on again. If

the light does not extinguish and then come

on again, then a fault occurred with the ABS

system and you should consult a qualified

dealer at the earliest opportunity. The warning

light will remain on until the vehicle is driven

above approximately 5 mph (7 km/h).

If the light remains on or subsequently

illuminates while driving, a fault has been

detected by the self monitoring system. This

means that full ABS control may not be

available and you should consult your dealer

at the earliest opportunity.

Warning lights

Traction control - AMBER

(if fitted)

Illuminates as a bulb and

system check, when the starter switch is

turned to position ’II’ and extinguishes after

approximately 4 seconds. The light illuminates

for a minimum of 2 seconds, whenever

traction control is operating.

If the warning light flashes (for at least 10

seconds); this indicates that the traction

control has been operating for too long and

has temporarily shut down to allow the

system to cool down - this will only occur in

extreme conditions.

If the light illuminates continuously, a fault

with the system is indicated - seek qualified

assistance.

Transmission oil temperature

- RED (if fitted)

Illuminates when gearbox oil

temperature is too high (most likely to occur

in very hot weather, during continuous high

speed driving, when towing heavy loads on

steep inclines).

If the light illuminates, reduce speed. If the

light remains on, stop the vehicle and do not

drive until it has extinguished.

Check engine - AMBER

(Td5 models only)

Illuminates as a bulb and

system check when the starter switch is

turned to position ’II’ and extinguishes after

approximately 3 seconds. Illumination at any

other time indicates an engine fault - if the

light illuminates, avoid high speeds and seek

qualified assistance urgently.

Fuel filter - AMBER

(Td5 models only)

Illuminates as a bulb check

when the starter switch is turned to position

’II’ and extinguishes after approximately 2

seconds. If the light illuminates while driving,

this indicates the presence of excessive

amounts of water in the fuel. You may

continue driving, but should seek qualified

assistance at the earliest opportunity.

Low fuel - AMBER

Illuminates when the fuel

remaining in the tank drops to

a minimum of 2 gallons (9 litres). If the light

illuminates, refuel at the first opportunity.

Cold start - AMBER

(Petrol engines only)

Illuminates when the cold start

control is selected and extinguishes when the

cold start control is pushed fully in.

Controls & instruments -> Warning lights for Your Land Rover Defender 90 SUV First Generation (1990-2016)

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