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Mark rayment
Member Since: 01 Dec 2017
Location: Whitby
Posts: 5
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| Disco 3 battery/ alternator problems? |
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Hi all . We have an 05 disco 3 that has died. Yesterday the whole array of warning lights came on but the car still ran. Today it started up then died. No voltage at battery until you disconnect the positive lead, then battery voltage climbs back up. There is a continuity between disconnected positive lead and earth. I'm thinking alternator, what are your thoughts?
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 2nd Dec 2017 5:01 pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26705
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Shorted alternator by the sound of it. Try disconnecting the alternator and running the same test. If it is the alternator, don't fit a new battery until its changed.
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| 2nd Dec 2017 5:16 pm |
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gilesharrison
Member Since: 23 Oct 2016
Location: Penrith
Posts: 143
 
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I had a problem where the positive cable to the alternator hadn't been refitted properly and the insulation had worn through. The cable was shorting against something. Easily sorted out once I found it. It was at the front right corner of the engine block, visible from under the car when the undertray was off.
Much more likely to be the alternator though.
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| 2nd Dec 2017 5:27 pm |
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OJ
Member Since: 01 Oct 2017
Location: Loch Leven
Posts: 725
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Gareth wrote:Shorted alternator by the sound of it. Try disconnecting the alternator and running the same test. If it is the alternator, don't fit a new battery until its changed.
orkneydave wrote:I'm sure cars must know if they're being replaced. With about a week to go before my new car arrives, my venerable old Disco has decided to go on fire!!! 
Now stuck in Kirkwall with a wet dog waiting for recovery!!
orkneydave wrote:Not too big thankfully but scary none the less! Looks like the alternator. No external damage to the car but no idea on what damage in the engine bay!
Just for info- as Gareth said best not to connect the battery until you get it checked.
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| 2nd Dec 2017 5:31 pm |
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Mark rayment
Member Since: 01 Dec 2017
Location: Whitby
Posts: 5
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Thanks for that. That's what I was thinking. Will try disconnecting alternator tomorrow. My only other concern was the possibility of it being the usual wiring problem at the rear. It had wiring done there. However I assume that would have caused smoke and sparks..
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| 2nd Dec 2017 5:37 pm |
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OJ
Member Since: 01 Oct 2017
Location: Loch Leven
Posts: 725
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Did it al happen at the same time as the wiring had been done at the rear?
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| 2nd Dec 2017 5:40 pm |
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Mark rayment
Member Since: 01 Dec 2017
Location: Whitby
Posts: 5
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No, the wiring was does about 18 months ago, but the car has a history of randomly draining the battery overnight and then being ok for weeks. Landrover dealer never found the problem!
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| 2nd Dec 2017 5:46 pm |
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Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
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Yeah, classic alternator dead short symptoms.
Replace the alternator with a Denso unit only and charge the battery before reconnecting.
Hopefully you've saved the battery. 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.
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| 2nd Dec 2017 6:06 pm |
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Mark rayment
Member Since: 01 Dec 2017
Location: Whitby
Posts: 5
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Just out of interest, how does an alternator short to earth without any sparks or smoke?
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| 2nd Dec 2017 6:53 pm |
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OJ
Member Since: 01 Oct 2017
Location: Loch Leven
Posts: 725
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Usualy the control box/regulator pack in, these can be replaced but depends what else is duff, bearings etc, the alternator starts drawing current from the battery draining it, or worse, thats why its best to leave the battery disconnected until its checked over.
One of the guys on the forum Robbie is a genius in electrics (and most other things) and has a guide on how to check the battery drain.
Link here
http://www.disco4.com/forum/post1366423.html
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| 2nd Dec 2017 9:26 pm |
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Mark rayment
Member Since: 01 Dec 2017
Location: Whitby
Posts: 5
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Thanks for all the helpful advice guy's. Managed to disconnect the positive lead from the alternator today by reaching through the fan. Confirmed that the short was in the alternator. I insulated the cable and fired the car up to move it to a better working place. Will need to make up a tool to lock the fan pulley. Does the tool need to have holes drilled, or do I make slots to go under the pulley bolts?
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| 3rd Dec 2017 10:07 pm |
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