TD5 Crank Sensor for Defender & Discovery 2

If your TD5 is cranking but not starting, cutting out intermittently, or losing RPM signal, the crank sensor is one of the first parts worth checking properly. This page covers the common TD5 crank sensor symptoms, where the sensor is fitted, and what to look at before you decide whether you need a replacement sensor or a wiring repair.

The TD5 crank sensor is used on Defender TD5 and Discovery 2 TD5 models. When it fails completely, the engine can crank without starting at all. When it starts to fail intermittently, you may get random cut-out, poor restarting, or an engine that suddenly dies and then starts again later once everything has cooled down.

Common TD5 crank sensor symptoms

Typical symptoms include an engine that turns over but will not fire, intermittent non-starting, sudden cut-out, and loss of RPM signal. In some cases the fault is the sensor itself. In other cases the sensor wiring can become damaged, oil-contaminated or brittle, which can give very similar symptoms.

That is why it is worth checking both the sensor and the wiring rather than guessing. If the engine ECU is not seeing a proper crank signal, the TD5 will not behave like a vehicle with a minor running fault – it may simply refuse to start at all.

TD5 crank sensor location

The TD5 crank sensor location catches a lot of people out, especially when they are dealing with a non-start and trying to work quickly. The sensor is fitted low down on the engine and can be awkward to get to, which is one reason why it helps to know whether you are replacing the sensor itself or fixing the wiring before ordering parts.

If you have already confirmed that the sensor is the problem, choose the replacement that suits how you want to do the job. If you are still diagnosing the fault, use this page to work through the usual symptoms first.

Which TD5 crank sensor should you buy?

If you want the part many people choose when they do not want to take chances with a non-start fault, start with the genuine Lucas TD5 crank sensor. This is the one to buy if you want the genuine branded sensor for a job that can leave you stranded.

If you want a lower-cost route, the aftermarket TD5 crank sensor is the budget alternative.

If the fault is in the loom rather than the sensor itself, the TD5 crank sensor wiring overlay is the right part to look at.

Start with the right fault route

If your TD5 has crank sensor symptoms, the first question is simple: is the fault in the sensor or the wiring? Once you have worked that out, choosing the right part is straightforward. Use the genuine Lucas sensor if you want the premium option, use the aftermarket sensor if you want the lower-cost alternative, and use the overlay if the wiring is the real problem.