Land Rover Defender DRL failure
If you’re an owner of a newer Land Rover Defender, you may have noticed a frustrating problem that’s become increasingly common, where the daytime running lights (DRLs) suddenly stop working.
It’s a known issue and naturally it leads people to believe they need an expensive headlight replacement. But at Spire 4x4 in Salisbury, we can fix the problem without replacing the entire unit, saving you a lot of time and money.
What causes Defender DRL failure?
In most cases, the culprit is a small but vital component inside the headlight assembly. A sealed internal LED module.
This module is responsible for powering the DRLs. When it fails, the DRLs go out, but the rest of the headlight may still work perfectly.
This module is prone to:
Burning out, particularly on newer models
Short circuits within the unit
Corrosion in the wiring harness or connectors
Moisture or water getting in, which compromises the sealed circuitry
Because the module is sealed, it can’t be replaced as a DIY job and isn’t sold separately by Land Rover. That’s why many owners are told their only option is a full headlight replacement, which can be very costly.
How Spire 4x4 can fix this without replacing the entire headlight
At Spire 4x4 we specialise in Jaguar Land Rover repairs and diagnostics. Our JLR trained technicians are able to:
Utilise diagnostic tools to pinpoint the specific fault codes
Access the sealed LED module
Replace it with a genuine Land Rover internal component
This is a professional repair that requires specialist tools and technical knowledge, but the benefit for customers is clear: You get a fully repaired headlight at a significantly lower cost!
What to do if your Defender DRLs have stopped working
If you're experiencing this issue, here are the steps you should take:
If you bought your Defender from Spire 4x4:
Contact us straight away. We’ll check whether your vehicle is still under warranty and can resolve this fault quickly for you.
If you didn’t purchase from us:
No problem, we can still help. Our workshop has the latest Land Rover diagnostic equipment, and our JLR-trained technicians can read the fault codes immediately to find the exact cause.
Book an inspection:
The sooner we see the vehicle, the sooner we can diagnose and repair the problem before it worsens.
Spire 4x4 is here to help
We’re always at the end of the phone if you want to discuss this issue in more detail. Whether you need advice, diagnostics, or a repair, we’ll be happy to book in your vehicle at a time that suits you.