Member Since: 04 Jun 2011
Location: Bath
Posts: 92
URGENT HELP PLEASE: Dead Disco 3
My wife called an hour ago saying the Disco had died on her. HDC warning light, hand brake warning light, TC and maybe some others (sorry bit vague). Said they came on but was drivable for a few mins then it cut out. I've collected her and the 4 kids but the D3 is still on the road side so I now need to go back and recover it with the Defender.
There's no engine management light on and when you turn the key its as if the battery is nearly dead and/or like the starter motor isn't engaging. You here an electrical 'flutter' but nothing is turning over. I checked battery connections and they're solid.
There seems to be power there as lights work, heater, radio, central locking etc
Questions:
1) Can I simply tow it home in neutral or are there gotchas with towing and the 4WD system? (It's a 2006 manual)
2) Do the symptoms sound familiar to anyone
Many thanks, Dan.
30th Jan 2014 6:41 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18508
By flutter do you mean a chattering noise?
If you do, sounds to me like the alternator has packed up so the battery has drained to the point where the ECUs won't run any more, and the starter solenoid won't engage.
Martin06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
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30th Jan 2014 6:43 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
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First thought has to be alternator.
The car does not like to be towed but if needs must then only ever with 4 wheels in contact, always below 30 mph and for less then 30 miles distance (although the book says 90 miles / 3 hrs max, but that is nuts).Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
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Meant to add, yes you can tow it in neutral.06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
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30th Jan 2014 6:48 pm
floydstar
Member Since: 04 Jun 2011
Location: Bath
Posts: 92
Thanks Martin - yes chattering. I thought the same about alternator but seems to be enough juice in her to 'appear' ok (lights, interior etc) Maybe just the solenoid? That would be a result!
Can I tow it or does it have to be 'lifted (back of a truck/trailer)?
30th Jan 2014 6:49 pm
floydstar
Member Since: 04 Jun 2011
Location: Bath
Posts: 92
Perfect - many thanks
30th Jan 2014 6:49 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18508
Get a multimeter/voltmeter and check the battery voltage.06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
30th Jan 2014 6:50 pm
Paul Ian
Member Since: 24 Jul 2011
Location: North London
Posts: 107
Hi sounds like electrical failure possible alternator issue as well the battery, same thing happened to me just before Christmas completely out of the blue. If you have a meter simple voltage check across the battery terminals should read approx 12.5 volts if below 8 or 9 volts then you battery is low or worse. Beware if the alternator has shorted out take care when and if starting with jump leads Or power pack as the dead short in the alternator will seriously damage the charging unit. You may have to disconnect and tape the large alternator feed wire if the alternator has indeed burnt out. There are lots of threads on the site best of luck!
Paul
30th Jan 2014 6:52 pm
floydstar
Member Since: 04 Jun 2011
Location: Bath
Posts: 92
Will do - off to recover now
30th Jan 2014 6:52 pm
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Let me know if we can help with Alternator or whatever - could sort a meet Salisbury area if it helpsPaul Redding
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30th Jan 2014 7:54 pm
floydstar
Member Since: 04 Jun 2011
Location: Bath
Posts: 92
Well good news I think.
Managed to jump start the D3 and drive it home with lights (~7 miles).
I put a meter across the battery with the engine running and it reads a healthy 12v.
Then turned it off and put a meter across the battery and it reads zero ish (minor fluctuations up to 3v).
This implies the alternator is doing its job and the battery is knackered, right?
Massive thanks for the advice (and so quickly) and offers of help
30th Jan 2014 9:18 pm
geoff.
Member Since: 24 Jan 2010
Location: West kent
Posts: 8531
a healthy 12v not enough
30th Jan 2014 9:21 pm
floydstar
Member Since: 04 Jun 2011
Location: Bath
Posts: 92
Ah.... so could still the alternator? what voltage should it be reading when running?
30th Jan 2014 9:28 pm
nighthawk
Member Since: 24 Jul 2010
Location: Malta
Posts: 1163
I'm more inclined to think the battery is trying to do it's job but the alternator is being a b***c to it
Should read 13.5V or more with engine runningDennis
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 Commercial Manual Buckingham Blue
30th Jan 2014 9:28 pm
MHP
Member Since: 31 Dec 2011
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geoff. wrote:
a healthy 12v not enough
Geoff is the kent meet still on the 7th feb? Could you confirm on the Kent meet thread please, a few people have asked 2009 Discovery 3 HSE - Gone
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not enough
Geoff is the kent meet still on the 7th feb? Could you confirm on the Kent meet thread please, a few people have asked 
