Member Since: 31 Jul 2010
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 287
Intermittent non start, Suspension Failure, EPB failure
Evening all!
Middle of last week my wife phoned to say that she could hear an odd whirring/whining noise at lower revs, and also noticed an electrical burning type smell. All seemed fine with the car but she drove home and switched off.
We've used the car since a couple of times with no issues.
Yesterday, the car started although it did appear to be quite slow, then got the "Special Programmes Off" bong that I was getting when the previous battery was dying.
Today, the car started fine with no warning bongs. However - 10 mins later I got a "suspension failure & EPB auto release failed" message. No apparent problems with the suspension and it didn't lower.
Drove home, turned the car off, tested the battery with the multimeter. Reading was 13+ volts.
Tried to start the car again to test alternator output - Dash lit up as normal, dials swooshed up and then everything went out.
Tried a couple more times with the same results.
Wife has since tried again and the car started with suspension bongs (not able to get the voltage checked though).
Question is.. does this sound alternator related? I've seen issues reported with low voltage readings, but mine seems to be higher than expected but the car still won't start
If no luck starting in the morning I'll get it recovered to the local indy, but would be good to have some clues to give them
29th Mar 2015 7:36 pm
hgrimmett
Member Since: 11 Oct 2009
Location: Bledlow
Posts: 901
Robbie will be along shortly with a definitive answer but the alternator has to be high on the list of possibilities. If you're unlucky it'll take the battery out too.
The fact that the battery voltage is high is negated by the short circuit in the alternator so there isn't enough current to start the engine.The short circuit t has been suggested to create a fire risk too so it might be worth unplugging the battery till you get it sorted.
The good news is that it's a relatively easy job to replace the alternator DIY depending on whether you can get your fan apart or not -------------------------------------------------------------------
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Last edited by hgrimmett on 29th Mar 2015 9:06 pm. Edited 1 time in total
29th Mar 2015 8:10 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Not sure I can be definitive but I'd say there is a 95% chance the alternator has had it. As it sounds (smells?) like a diode or 2 has blown in the rectifier it has probably dumped the battery to ground too.Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 11 Oct 2009
Location: Bledlow
Posts: 901
95% would be 'definitive' enough for me... -------------------------------------------------------------------
D4 '15 (64) Se Tech Indus Silver
Tesla Model Y LR (22)
Audi TT Roadster 225 (52)
Tesla Model 3 LR (70) (gone)
Porsche Boxster '96 2.5 5spd project (P)
Mini R52 S (54)
BMW 330e eDrive MSport '16 (gone)
D3 '07 (56) XS TDV6 Buckingham Blue (gone)
29th Mar 2015 9:04 pm
badgerade
Member Since: 31 Jul 2010
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 287
Thanks for the replies guys.. both bang on - at Rovertune now having a new alternator fitted!
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