Member Since: 23 Jul 2015
Location: Manchester
Posts: 662
Phantom flat battery - help needed
I came out tonight to head to work and the fob wasn't unlocking the car. I assumed the fob battery was gone but quickly noticed the car was dead. It was so flat it wouldn't even unlock or wake up.
I tried jumping from my Aux batt but it didn't have anywhere near enough power. Ignition just started clicking relays repeatedly and the dash illuminations kept flicking on and off.
Managed to jump it from another car then drove to work. Near enough 2 hours at 2000rpm and the TMax monitor indicated that the voltage went up once the car was revving, thus indicating a functioning alternator.
The car gets a 2-4 hour motorway drive twice a week so it's always well charged, car was driven yesterday and seemed fine. Nothing has been connected to aux battery so can't see why that would cause a drain but I've disconnected it anyway. The car was locked overnight so all lights were out.
Any ideas what could cause the battery to die like that? It wasn't just low but absolutely flat. I don't understand how it could happen so quickly. I'm going to Norway and Sweden in 7 days so I'm beginning to panic.D4.5 Facelift, Lazer ST4, Prospeed underbody and rack, IID BT, Compomotive/BFG KO2, Series MFlaps, RAI, Dog Gd+XBB, Alive Tuned, T-Max/YellowTop, RemoteFBH, GlassesMod, WheelWinchMod, Jack Mod, LED Mods, Seized Crank Mod....
19th Mar 2017 11:25 pm
spikekellyrm
Member Since: 23 Jul 2015
Location: Manchester
Posts: 662
Bump. Any pointers?D4.5 Facelift, Lazer ST4, Prospeed underbody and rack, IID BT, Compomotive/BFG KO2, Series MFlaps, RAI, Dog Gd+XBB, Alive Tuned, T-Max/YellowTop, RemoteFBH, GlassesMod, WheelWinchMod, Jack Mod, LED Mods, Seized Crank Mod....
20th Mar 2017 3:49 pm
wiggs
Member Since: 03 Sep 2006
Location: Manchester
Posts: 14372
Check the battery terminals are tight ...and any earth straps you can findG4 Gone ...but not forgotten
20th Mar 2017 3:56 pm
Admirable
Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Fife
Posts: 1038
Fords used to be really bad for that, battery just dies for no reason. How old is your battery?
20th Mar 2017 4:04 pm
spikekellyrm
Member Since: 23 Jul 2015
Location: Manchester
Posts: 662
Thanks wiggs. I've checked them and all seem tight.
Having had a look on the forum there are no similar cases, they all seem to be completely different.
Someone mentioned the TCCM and when I jumped it, the LOW range light was flashing repeatedly and that was the only light on.
Another suggestion was a PDC fault could stop the module shutting down. The car was supposed to be in for a possible PDC module under warranty today, but someone stole the courtesy car so it didn't go in.
Im at the limit of my experience now and am at a loss as what to do. I finish work soon so will go and check if the car starts.
If the alternator is going would it fail completely or slowly? It seemed to be kicking out up to 14v last night when driving (though I don't fully believe the battery monitor)D4.5 Facelift, Lazer ST4, Prospeed underbody and rack, IID BT, Compomotive/BFG KO2, Series MFlaps, RAI, Dog Gd+XBB, Alive Tuned, T-Max/YellowTop, RemoteFBH, GlassesMod, WheelWinchMod, Jack Mod, LED Mods, Seized Crank Mod....
20th Mar 2017 4:14 pm
spikekellyrm
Member Since: 23 Jul 2015
Location: Manchester
Posts: 662
I haven't changed the battery so it's possibly original. Surely it wouldn't instantly fail though? Completely flat 24 hours after last use. 48 hours after a 2 hour motorway journey?D4.5 Facelift, Lazer ST4, Prospeed underbody and rack, IID BT, Compomotive/BFG KO2, Series MFlaps, RAI, Dog Gd+XBB, Alive Tuned, T-Max/YellowTop, RemoteFBH, GlassesMod, WheelWinchMod, Jack Mod, LED Mods, Seized Crank Mod....
20th Mar 2017 4:15 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Re: Phantom flat battery - help needed
spikekellyrm wrote:
Near enough 2 hours at 2000rpm and the TMax monitor indicated that the voltage went up once the car was revving, thus indicating a functioning alternator.
If it needs revving to provide sufficient voltage then something is amiss. If a battery is toast then the alternator may be maxed-out, but given your other symptoms I would suspect the alternator.
Oh and you need a battery charger to charge a battery - the alternator will not do.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Batteries can die quickly, I had one that was fine one morning, drove for three hours, stopped, went to start it again after a half hour stop, just click click click. Even known them die after just stopping for fuel.
20th Mar 2017 4:31 pm
spikekellyrm
Member Since: 23 Jul 2015
Location: Manchester
Posts: 662
I'm hoping it is the alternator for simplicity. Thanks for the responses, I've asked for a short notice session with an Indy. Hopefully he can fit me in.D4.5 Facelift, Lazer ST4, Prospeed underbody and rack, IID BT, Compomotive/BFG KO2, Series MFlaps, RAI, Dog Gd+XBB, Alive Tuned, T-Max/YellowTop, RemoteFBH, GlassesMod, WheelWinchMod, Jack Mod, LED Mods, Seized Crank Mod....
20th Mar 2017 4:40 pm
SHARKYSHARKS
Member Since: 20 Dec 2008
Location: Saddleworth Oldham
Posts: 1954
I've got a battery tester and spare battery you can borrow if you want Spike
Where in Manchester are ya ?MY18 D5 HSE LUX😎
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Club skip ya lockers !!!
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20th Mar 2017 6:12 pm
spikekellyrm
Member Since: 23 Jul 2015
Location: Manchester
Posts: 662
Just tried to start. It was showing low charge but started. Then at idle it's now showing 14v+
D4.5 Facelift, Lazer ST4, Prospeed underbody and rack, IID BT, Compomotive/BFG KO2, Series MFlaps, RAI, Dog Gd+XBB, Alive Tuned, T-Max/YellowTop, RemoteFBH, GlassesMod, WheelWinchMod, Jack Mod, LED Mods, Seized Crank Mod....
20th Mar 2017 6:40 pm
SHARKYSHARKS
Member Since: 20 Dec 2008
Location: Saddleworth Oldham
Posts: 1954
I'd test and change the battery and if you haven't got an AGM battery ?
Get one instead of the lead acid filled ones ! MY18 D5 HSE LUX😎
MY12 Freelander SD4 HSE
44 Tonne 12 Litre 6x2 Scania T cab (Current)
Freelander 1 (Wrote off 😫)
Ex D1
Ex D2 GS
Ex V8 D2 GS
Ex D3 S
Ex D4 GS
Club skip ya lockers !!!
Club BAS remote heater !!
Club Duratrac
Club Phillips DRL
Club Prospeed Rack Mk 1
Club Prospeed Rack Mk 2
Club Sankey
Club RLD spare wheel protector
20th Mar 2017 6:46 pm
spikekellyrm
Member Since: 23 Jul 2015
Location: Manchester
Posts: 662
Sorry missed your last message. I'm in Swinton, north Manchester. Not home until Friday night though. Just had a look at the battery and it's the JLR branded one so most likely original one.
I'm concerned that replacing the battery won't solve the problem, I don't want to end up in rural Sweden and have the new battery just drain.
D4.5 Facelift, Lazer ST4, Prospeed underbody and rack, IID BT, Compomotive/BFG KO2, Series MFlaps, RAI, Dog Gd+XBB, Alive Tuned, T-Max/YellowTop, RemoteFBH, GlassesMod, WheelWinchMod, Jack Mod, LED Mods, Seized Crank Mod....
20th Mar 2017 10:21 pm
Ent
Member Since: 12 Oct 2007
Location: In the cack
Posts: 6488
Borrow a clip on ammeter and see what if any current is drawn when the car is asleep.Club Exped trailer
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20th Mar 2017 11:40 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
We also need to know the charging voltage, taken with a real voltmeter - the Tmax LEDs are not good enough.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
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