Member Since: 20 Mar 2016
Location: Cape Town
Posts: 3
Starting problems
Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone could give me any advise.
I have a TDV6 2005 Disco 3 and I’m having problems with it starting. I have it on a trickle charge at home and it starts perfectly. It will run fine and may start ok all day and even for a few days, but on occasions, after starting initially from the trickle charge, it won’t start later on in the day. When this happens it has no power at all, no lights, no nothing! It’s totally dead. As if the immobiliser has kicked in. A jump start from another car will get it started again but a charging pack won’t. There is no pattern at all which might help identify the cause.
My wife has been stranded a few times when shopping or on school runs!! I expect the AA to blacklist us soon!!
It has been to a Landy specialist and they have had it a number of times for weeks on end and can’t diagnose the precise cause (in fairness, they haven’t charged us and they have spent a lot of time on it) The battery is good, as is the alternator. Fuel systems etc have all been checked and are ok.
The specialist is saying they could replacie ‘some CPU’ but it’ll cost about £1000, and they can’t guarantee it will solve the problem, so reluctant to do it. If we need to do this, we’ll need to save up for it. (I know what you’ll say.... don’t buy a Landy if you haven’t got cash to keep it running!! , but the Landy has been going well for us upto now).
Before I fork out so much money, is this a problem anyone else has had and fixed? Is there anything I could/should check/do?
I’m not hugely mechanically apt, but can follow instructions and willing to give things ago!
Many thanks in advance.
Nick
Last edited by nshah on 20th Jan 2019 8:58 pm. Edited 1 time in total
20th Jan 2019 8:20 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
I would go back and check that alternator again. Some D3 owners report a slowly failing alternator problem which might lead you to believe your alternator is fine but the reality is it's dying a slow death.
Ask yourself this, if the battery keeps going flat, why is that?
When you next have it running, stick a multimeter across the battery to see what charge you're getting from the alternator. It should be around 15v on initial start up, dropping to around 14v after a short while.Mods:
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Last edited by Narpy on 20th Jan 2019 8:59 pm. Edited 1 time in total
20th Jan 2019 8:54 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13612
Hi
Personally I would get a multimeter to see what the standing battery voltage is and also with the engine running
Has there been any diagnostic codes
Also one of these plug in volt meters are always handy to have, so u can keep any eye whilst driving but of course a multimeter is more accurate
There are cheaper ones around, it’s just an example
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13612
Narpy wrote:
I would go back and check that alternator again. Some D3 owners report a slowly failing alternator problem which might lead you eo believe your alternator is fine but the reality is it's dying a slow death.
Ask yourself this, if the battery keeps going flat, why is that?
When you next have it running, stick a multimeter across the battery to see what charge you're getting from the alternator. It should be around 15v on initial start up, dropping to around 14v after a short while.
Beat me to it
20th Jan 2019 8:58 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
All the hallmarks of a failing alternator. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
20th Jan 2019 9:01 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13612
Hi Narpy
May i ask plse, is it the case with a failing alternator it can also take the battery out
Wonder if it’s already happening seeing the battery is taken off charge in the morning and dead by the afternoon
Surprised the specialist didn’t test all of that out and still wondering what ecu would cost a grand
Thks as always
20th Jan 2019 9:26 pm
XDAndy
Member Since: 16 Jan 2018
Location: Gibraltar
Posts: 597
gstuart wrote:
still wondering what ecu would cost a grand
Ok, somewhat cynically I’m going to say, if being replaced by an LR dealer, all of them!
20th Jan 2019 9:30 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13612
Nah , never, a dealer overcharging , surely not
20th Jan 2019 9:34 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
Yep, failing alternator will often kill the battery too due to a dead short.
Many owners, replace the old battery with a nice new one, believing it to be the problem, only for that one to die a quick death too.
By the time they realise the real culprit, they've had a double whammie to the wallet. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
20th Jan 2019 9:38 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13612
Hi
Many thks, assume on reading only a Denso alternator should be fitted
have also learnt having a multimeter is a must have item
20th Jan 2019 9:46 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
Denso all the way. Fit a cheapo and you'll be back to square one in no time, probably with another knackered battery too. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
20th Jan 2019 10:20 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13612
20th Jan 2019 11:24 pm
nshah808
Member Since: 18 Apr 2015
Location: pretoria
Posts: 4
Thanks guys,
Apologises for the delay in thanking you and responding. I work away in the week and only just returned.
I have bought a multi meter today and will take your advice and check the alternator.
Will keep you posted on outcomes.
Thanks again. Really appreciate it
Nick
26th Jan 2019 12:17 pm
XDAndy
Member Since: 16 Jan 2018
Location: Gibraltar
Posts: 597
Narpy wrote:
Yep, failing alternator will often kill the battery too due to a dead short.
Apologies for taking this slightly off-topic, and also for this being a likely very daft question, but if the failed alternator causes a dead short then presumably there will be no measured resistance across the +ve and -ve cables; battery disconnected I’m talking about.
So, what kind of resistance would you expect in an “ok” scenario, and is there any chance of picking up a ‘failing’ alternator when resistance starts to drop?
26th Jan 2019 12:50 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13612
Hi Xd andy
Know the guys here are far more experienced than myself, wondering if u can test failing diodes by setting the multimeter on AC, putting it across the battery with the engine running and shouldn’t be above 0.5 volts
Otherwise I think u have to use a oscilloscope to bench test an alternator
On mine I get roughly 15-15.5 Vdc with the engine running , 12.6 Vdc engine off
Once again plse don’t take anything I’ve said as gospel , other guys can help a lot better
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, but the Landy has been going well for us upto now).
