Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
Power fault again
Hi all I’m back
Car has been unable to start multiple times a day recently. Seems to be more so if I use radio and or air-con. When starting car just hear clicking and struggling to start the engine unless I leave it cranking for 5-10 seconds.
Doing phantom drain test (once again). And wondering if anyone can advise best fuses to start pulling first please? Getting 0.08 reading. I’m told this is normal.
Recently did alternator as that was drawing amps. But problem persisted and worsened recently.
Causing despair as I’m cross country most days and it’s always happening when I’m desperate to get home.
If I charge battery and leave overnight I keep coming to 12.3v when I start car in morning.
Have pulled all the relays and fuses under the bonnet so far not made any difference lower than 0.07
This has been a 2 year battle to figure out so far
Does anyone know where next to start looking please?
Local mechanic has not had a proper look and is always too busy. So I need to figure it myself.
TiaDisco 3 SE Manual 2005 V6 2.7
Buckley, North Wales
23rd Jul 2023 3:54 pm
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1523
Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
Hi guys
I did earth the engine block to the car body… is that wrong? Should have been negative terminal to the body instead?
Would the starter relay be a problem do you think? As the starter works fine that I know of!
ThanksDisco 3 SE Manual 2005 V6 2.7
Buckley, North Wales
24th Jul 2023 3:14 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10365
Thanks fine doing that.
You could so that test though, jump lead to the battery - Neg, to prove the strap you fitted is good and easy things to rule out.
Starter relays can cause the start to work sometimes and not others, so just a thought
24th Jul 2023 3:41 pm
Gary_P
Member Since: 03 May 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 1523
As stated, battery negative to body is the connection you need to make. Jump lead is a good call for a temp/ testing cable.Gary
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Discovery 4 HSE 2016MY
24th Jul 2023 3:55 pm
cmb2020
Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
I can see the negative is already connected to the body behind the battery?Disco 3 SE Manual 2005 V6 2.7
Buckley, North Wales
24th Jul 2023 4:39 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10365
That connection point has been known to fail.
24th Jul 2023 5:35 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10365
Your yellow meter is reading 70mA. (to the fusebox, by the looks of it) Ok, slightly higher than normal, but this shouldn't trouble a car in daily use.
I recall last time, there was a higher current in the split charger cable.
25th Jul 2023 10:49 am
cmb2020
Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
The car won’t start daily now have to charge battery up
Negative earth behind battery does look to be absolutely fine there’s no corrosion on itDisco 3 SE Manual 2005 V6 2.7
Buckley, North Wales
25th Jul 2023 11:42 am
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2862
At the risk of stating the bleedin' obvious, how healthy is the battery? If you have already had to change the alternator, and it is going through charge/discharge cycles more frequently, that is going to take its toll.Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
25th Jul 2023 11:55 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10365
Yeah that current clamp looks ok. Not sure what you are going to do with it now though.
25th Jul 2023 8:22 pm
cmb2020
Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
Booked in for Monday with mechanic now! Finally and hope they can fix it
Battery holds its charge if disconnected so should be ok? Also still same issues using another battery not great brand but presume indications are not battery issueDisco 3 SE Manual 2005 V6 2.7
Buckley, North Wales
26th Jul 2023 5:54 pm
cmb2020
Member Since: 08 Sep 2020
Location: Buckley, North Wales
Posts: 1150
Alright guys
Back again!
Garage aren’t answering phone now so cars not going in. And it’s so bad now the thing won’t start unless I charge it each time, and I’m cross country in all kinds of stress
Have earthed the battery to body and not worked
Voltage check this morning may give indication?
12.5v untouched after sitting overnight
12.3v when I click open on key fob
11.6v it dropped down when I put key in ignition but not started engine
Seems to drop quite significantly and then yellow lights stay on dash which is when I know it won’t start. Just not enough voltage to get the engine to start just tries until clicking sound
I’m relying on this forum as mechanic isn’t going to help which is crazy customer service to ignore
Any clues what could be happening based on readings please?
Seems to be draining when key goes in?
May try starter relay next
Only thing is once the engines started for the day had that initial start it does seem to be better but is defo weak!
TiaDisco 3 SE Manual 2005 V6 2.7
Buckley, North Wales
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