Member Since: 12 May 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 8
No charging and large current drain
Car died in the rain this week. Started on the button as usual and then 10 minutes later with no warning (performance or lights etc) there was absolutely no charge in the battery whatsoever. AA came out and advised that not only was there no charging from the alternator but that there was a 45 amp current drain with everything switched off (told me I had the honour of the biggest at rest current drain he'd ever come across). So not surprising that the battery was dead.
AA thinks it might be a short in the alternator as couldn't think of many other components that could create that sort of current draw (at least not without blowing a fuse).
It's waiting to be seen by my regular garage but any thoughts welcomed. The car is a Dec 05 and I have seen quite a few comments about faulty alternators at this sort of age.
Also, is it likely that this will have killed the battery (which looks like the original)?
8th Jul 2011 4:46 pm
Randylover
Member Since: 31 Jan 2011
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 1172
Had exactly the same today except had all the warning lights on first all except the battery light which didn't come on till just before the power died. Got new alternator arriving in the morning so that's me job for tomorrow. Happened on the m6 to, a silver disco with snorkel etc with sticker came past in fast lane didn't catch number but he never waved lol, maybe I need to get stickered up05 TDV6,"S" in all colourcoded Zermatt silver,7 seats winter pack HK 6cd stereo,Dual climate,Xenons,
Mods:
Re-Con Engine,De-Tango,Reverse camera,Fog/DRl lights,Aux Battery, perm Aux socket in boot,LED Volt meters in roof panel,Built in tom tom, Strobes fitted in grille, Aux switches for trailer lights fitted in roof panel,Roof Rails,Grille conversion
8th Jul 2011 4:54 pm
crwoody
Member Since: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 2109
"Also, is it likely that this will have killed the battery (which looks like the original)? "
The battery may survive if it's been disconnected fairly soon after the fault appeared, TBH though if it's the original on an '05, it will be about due for replacement anyway.Clive
8th Jul 2011 5:06 pm
blue meanie D3 Decade
Member Since: 04 Aug 2005
Location: Newbury
Posts: 6861
Check your compressor relayand theeeeennn......???
8th Jul 2011 8:15 pm
GraemeS
Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 706
Re: No charging and large current drain
thechasmanblue wrote:
there was a 45 amp current drain with everything switched off (told me I had the honour of the biggest at rest current drain he'd ever come across).
A 2008 FFRR in Oz had a 155A drain by its alternator - stopped the vehicle dead in a dangerous spot on dusk with the steering locked! The owner is not impressed, particularly with the locked steering with the key still in the ignition.Home of LLAMS, for LRs and Jeep GCs
8th Jul 2011 8:47 pm
thechasmanblue
Member Since: 12 May 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 8
Looks like it was the altenator as new one fitted and problem solved. Most of the cost should be picked up under warranty with Customer Protect subject to usual haggling over labour rates and time.
However, no sooner have I got it back than the sunroof takes on a mind of its own eventually sticking in the open position just as it starts p#''ing with rain again. Lucily the handbook pg 118 solved that with the recalibration process.
Not to be out done, the tailgate has just jammed shut. Thanks to the other threads on the site I now have a tempory fix via the Land Rover button and will be fitting a new switch in time for the next electrical gremlin...
This really is a great site so thanks to all. I just wish I didn't have to consult it almost daily.
16th Jul 2011 5:23 pm
Sussexdisco
Member Since: 12 May 2013
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 10
Just happened to me too!
I was traveling back to Sussex from Maidstone at 1 am when I noticed a battery warning light. Once I got to the city of roundabouts (Horham / Crawley) I started getting fault messages and every possible warning light and my headlights started flickering. Eventually I lost total power (fortunately the steering didn't lock) and I managed to nose it off the roundabout on to the verge.
RAC turned up at 3am when it was -3C and charged the battery and also rigged up a secondary. I got about 2 miles down the road before it all happened again. The RAC guy reckoned I was drawing 80 amps, so I guess thats a bit high then? I finally got home at 5am for a cup of hot cocoa
Any Ideas rom those who can do more than fill screen wash? (me)
Do I need to change the alternator? Are there any decent indies locally as it down and blowing about 70knts
You might also talk to member Geoff. - who could probably help, and also has a great reputation.
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
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30th Dec 2013 1:00 pm
Woolmeister
Member Since: 26 Mar 2007
Location: Chandler's Ford
Posts: 3464
@Sussexdisco:
Sounds to me like your alternator has failed and - potentially - taken the battery out with it. Not uncommon on a D3. It's a relatively easy job to change yourself and I can highly recommend the Denso Alternator kits from Advanced Factors:
NJSS is correct that West 4x4 come highly recommend in our part of world but are always busy.
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down and blowing about 70knts 
