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Alternator Problems?
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L319
 


Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2083

United Kingdom 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Buckingham BlueDiscovery 3
Alternator Problems?

November last year new alternator( Land Rover) and Exide battery fitted. Recently I have found after starting especially if vehicle has been stood a few days, the dash display, navigation screen and interior light are pulsing ( voltage changes) .When idling, engine speed also pulses as though load changing. If driving the display is still pulsing but engine speed constant due to drive train engaged.
This morning put digital voltmeter across battery terminals before starting. Vehicle last run on Sunday for about an hour. prior to that it had run all week with no problem. Temperature -10C. Battery before starting 12.2V, ignition on 12.03V, dropped to 10V with starter engaged . Engine fired up instantly with no problem. Voltage climbed in a few secs. to 14.8V , put on heated seats and lights climbed to 15.4V. Then the pulsing started ( about 1 per sec.) and volts cycling between 14 and 15.4. ( A bit difficult to read exactly as meter changing too fast) After a couple of mins. volts steadied at 15.4, still with lights on. I had the battery checked last week at local Auto electrical shop and advised it was good, just slight drop in capacity.
Is this an indication of the alternator failing and are there any tests I can run to confirm? I could take it back to Listers who fitted the alternator but fear no fault will be found after running down to the workshop.
  
Post #188932712th Dec 2017 10:09 am
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Globetrotter448
 


Member Since: 21 Mar 2017
Location: Londonderry NSW
Posts: 1818

Australia 2007 Discovery 3 4.0 V6 Petrol SE Auto Java BlackDiscovery 3

Symptoms could be battery or alternator. I would check the ground at the alternator and battery and whether the alternator connector (red) is good and tight. Because of fluctuations it may be the alternator regulator has a faulty diode. Maybe a load test of the battery to prove its ok as a drop to 10v possibly indicates a cell failure.
  
Post #189112817th Dec 2017 7:25 am
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Hot Tub
 


Member Since: 15 Aug 2017
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1071

England 2009 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Zermatt SilverDiscovery 3

I seem to remember if alternator faulty or playing up can kill battery so best to get it sorted sooner. Possibly somebody who knows more will confirm my suspicions.
  
Post #189113217th Dec 2017 7:31 am
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L319
 


Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2083

United Kingdom 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Buckingham BlueDiscovery 3

I had a load test done on the Battery on Friday and it proved OK, so will now check all the connections.
  
Post #189114217th Dec 2017 8:34 am
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Pete K
 


Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10684

England 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Rimini RedDiscovery 3

I would almost say that's normal ?

The thing is idling as some low RPM?

And you are putting on loads like heated windscreens.

If you rev it slightly to 1000rpm, does it improve?


If you leave it stood for a few days, get yourself a CTEK charger to keep the battery topped up and in good condition.
  
Post #189116017th Dec 2017 9:44 am
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L319
 


Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2083

United Kingdom 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Buckingham BlueDiscovery 3

LR at Listers for MoT today, passed with advisories on bushes. While it was there I asked them to check alternator and was advised it was showing abnormal voltage variations. I was short of time so booked in later for a more in depth diagnosis.
  
Post #189250820th Dec 2017 5:13 pm
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M3DPO
 


Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8230

England 2014 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Corris GreyDiscovery 4

Sounds like the auxhilary drive belt is slipping under load to me Exclamation
 It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't. 
 
Post #189250920th Dec 2017 5:35 pm
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L319
 


Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2083

United Kingdom 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Buckingham BlueDiscovery 3

Possible, although it had a new tensioner and belt when alternator changed. Not that that precludes anything
  
Post #189252020th Dec 2017 6:03 pm
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hugeviking
 


Member Since: 08 Jun 2010
Location: cotswolds
Posts: 1482

United Kingdom 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 S Manual Cairns BlueDiscovery 3

Robbie did a guide ref checking for AC from the alternator that proves faulty diodes.

Normaly 12.2 volts is pretty flat but -10 may have an affect on that.??

Andi.
  
Post #189259120th Dec 2017 9:26 pm
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MG
D3 Decade 


Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Surrey
Posts: 217

England 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Buckingham BlueDiscovery 3

Almost certainly it's the alternator. Make sure you ask for a new one rather than a re-manufactured one. Had experience recently where dealer fitted 3 re-manufactured before they realised they were from a duff batch!
 MG

HSE V6 Diesel
Buckingham Blue
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Mini Fridge
Rosen A7 Roof-mount DVD player
Parrot 3100 Bluetooth
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Portable Fridge 
 
Post #189296521st Dec 2017 11:43 pm
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L319
 


Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2083

United Kingdom 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Buckingham BlueDiscovery 3

Thanks, will keep that in mind.
  
Post #189304922nd Dec 2017 10:32 am
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L319
 


Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2083

United Kingdom 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Buckingham BlueDiscovery 3

To bring things up to date. As predicted it was a faulty alternator but as it was still under LR Warranty was replaced FOC.
  
Post #18978985th Jan 2018 4:54 pm
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