Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3637
what should the battery voltage be?
Over the last week, I have been getting messages to say that the battery voltage is low and to start the engine - usually as soon as I unlock it.
Checked the battery voltage when the engine is off and it varies between 12.5 to 12.05 volts, when the engine is started it ranges from 13.5 to 14.5 v.
Does the battery need charging or is there another problem?
5th Nov 2013 9:10 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
All diagnosis should start with a fully charged battery, so get it on a conditioning charger and then see how it goes.
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Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Last edited by Robbie on 5th Nov 2013 9:13 pm. Edited 1 time in total
5th Nov 2013 9:12 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72802
Had a look at my battery voltage before starting this morning and it was 11.8v, started fine. Seems to be OK starting down to 10.8v.
On a D3, not the posh D4.
5th Nov 2013 9:13 pm
WOODY179
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3637
Thanks for the replies everyone, will get the CTEK out tomorrow and give it a conditioning charge. I suppose it doesn't help that I have front and rear Blackvue's and only do low mileage.
5th Nov 2013 9:18 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72802
Will put mine on charge as well.
5th Nov 2013 9:25 pm
djcleckie
Member Since: 08 Feb 2010
Location: Highlands
Posts: 189
If mine (a D3) has sat for a few days (or its very cold) I get the message "HDC fault Special Programs Off"
It starts fine and as soon as the alternator comes in the error messages go away.
The battery is 2 years old.
If put the battery on charge it never happens.
If I pre-heat it with the FBH it does not happen.
It seems to be battery related.
My D3 seems very sensitive to the battery voltage.
Also the readings I get with a meter across the battery are always about 0.5V higher than on the "hidden screen".
Dave2005 SE Manual Cairns Blue
Faultmate MSV2
Series 2 - long gone
RR Classic long gone.
Disco1 believe its still going as a farm vehicle in France.
5th Nov 2013 9:27 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
The hidden screen voltage is not in any way accurate and cannot be used.
MY05s were very sensative to voltages but a software revision did make them a little more tolerant.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3637
Didn't get chance to put it on charge yesterday.
Called at my friends house on the way back home today, he works for the RAC.
Whilst talking, I mentioned the battery problem and he said he would check it for me
Battery voltage 12.14 - definitely needs charging.
Battery condition good
Alternator fine
Charging fine - said it was sending 90 amps to it when engine was running.
Put it on a recondition charge a few hours ago
7th Nov 2013 6:48 pm
crwoody
Member Since: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 2109
WOODY179 wrote:
... I suppose it doesn't help that I have front and rear Blackvue's and only do low mileage.
Not so sure that the Blackvue's would make much difference but the "low mileage" bit could be the killer, frequent short journeys will take more out of the battery than get put back in, a regular charge-up should certainly help.Clive
7th Nov 2013 7:05 pm
WOODY179
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3637
I agree Clive, I believe that the only issue is that I do not use the D4 enough 31 months old and only 9600 miles.
Just taken it off charge as according to the CTEK unit it was on step 7 float. Will check the voltage in the morning (when I can see the digits on the meter) and if need be put it on (normal) charge again as it's only been charging for 5 hours.
7th Nov 2013 8:20 pm
crwoody
Member Since: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 2109
Wow 9600 in 2½ years no wonder your battery is objecting, I'm down to about 10K a year now that I've retired and I thought that was low.
I had to resort to an occasional charge with the Ctek myself but it was a bit too late and had to replace the battery anyway.Clive
7th Nov 2013 8:57 pm
djcleckie
Member Since: 08 Feb 2010
Location: Highlands
Posts: 189
Robbie wrote:
The hidden screen voltage is not in any way accurate and cannot be used.
MY05s were very sensative to voltages but a software revision did make them a little more tolerant.
Any idea what module needs upgrading?
Dave2005 SE Manual Cairns Blue
Faultmate MSV2
Series 2 - long gone
RR Classic long gone.
Disco1 believe its still going as a farm vehicle in France.
7th Nov 2013 9:48 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
This would (or should) have been done as part of the 'enhancement' package back in 2006 and it tweaked the start-up order and BITs on a number of systems. It also refined the power-saving logic for the systems that are part of the load-shedding schedule.Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
....... said it was sending 90 amps to it when engine was running....
is that the right way around?
does the alternator send ?
or does the battery draw 90 amps ?....from the charging circuit
amps is the measurement of current which is drawn (or is it ?)
just trying to get my logic straight (if logic is straight that is)BREXIT - done properly.
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7th Nov 2013 9:55 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Just moving energy around. The alternator amperage will be going where it is need - charging the battery, running systems, heating your bum etc up to the max output. If the battery is charged and all the ancillaries are off then the alternator output will only be around 10~17 amps.Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
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9600 in 2½ years 
