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les11677
Member Since: 11 Apr 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 8
  
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| Power drain and locking fault |
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Hi all
I have a D3, 55 plate manual diesel with a problematic power drain.
4 weeks ago, the original battery was replaced by the RAC after the car failed to start one morning. Two days later, after about 24 hrs of non-use, it was flat again. RAC again to the rescue, found a 5.4A per hour drain. Off it went to a local garage who sent it to a respected auto-electrician. They found a fault on the tailgate sensor, so that the ECU's wrongly sensed that the doors were not locked and therefore did not shut down. Sensor replaced, all seemed ok for about a week. It even went back to the autoelectricians after breaking down, who found absolutely no drain after having it the entire day. Last weekend, on locking the doors with the fob, all bar the nearside rear passenger door responded. It would only lock/unlock manually or with the dashboard switch. This was intermittent. The following day, after an hours drive to the coast and being left parked for 2 hours locked up, the car deadlocked itself and had a flat battery. RAC, they must love us, said that the alternator was not charging enough and only generating just over 12A, instead of 13A. The next day nothing wrong. Then today, after a short trip across town, it died after being parked for just 30 minutes! What on earth could be the problem?
Help!!!!!
Les
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 11th Apr 2013 10:04 pm |
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Flack
Member Since: 06 Sep 2006
Location: Preston Lancashire
Posts: 6266
 
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Give Goeff. site sponsor a shout he can sort you out and fix you up with another alternator and is in your area.
Flack 
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| 12th Apr 2013 12:15 pm |
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Langer
Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Dunfermline
Posts: 179
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Thought alternaters are dealer parts only still?
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| 13th Apr 2013 1:03 am |
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les11677
Member Since: 11 Apr 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 8
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Thanks for the advice. I shall discuss with the autoelectrician when he is back on Monday
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| 13th Apr 2013 4:27 pm |
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les11677
Member Since: 11 Apr 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 8
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Just when I thought this problem was sorted!!!
Two garages who looked at the fault, said that the alternator was checked each time without any faults. On the recommendation of a friend with Defenders, went to a Landrover specialist. He also found no faults, but noticed a momentary blip on the alternator where the output dropped to about 5A. He wouldn't guarantee that it was the problem so that night took it to a relative who runs a garage. He had it a few days, it failed to start a few times and like previous respondents, thought Alternator. He replaced it, ran the car a few days and it went again. Started normally, drove to the gym and an hour later, the battery was dead!
We have tried a new battery, a new alternator and a tailgate locking sensor. What could be the problem?
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| 29th Apr 2013 5:51 pm |
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les11677
Member Since: 11 Apr 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 8
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The latest update from our occasionally non starting D3 is that despite the best efforts of 4 garages, 2 main dealers and Landrover UK, we have now had a full update of the installed software, power drain meters, new battery and alternator, and for the most part, the car works perfectly. After about 3 weeks of working without fault, it was left overnight parked and managed to drain the battery overnight, just as before. If no-one had any idea as to what the problem is and how to fix it, we are now looking at taking it back to the garage where we bought it for a refund or replacement, despite having used it for 15 months.
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| 13th Jun 2013 1:06 pm |
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blue200tdi
Member Since: 23 Sep 2012
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 1094
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I'd say the old alternator killed the new battery.  You guys are gonna be busier than a test bench in a plunger factory!
Java black 2006 2.7 TDV6 HSE AUTO.
2014 Kawasaki ZZR1400 Performance sport.
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| 13th Jun 2013 1:46 pm |
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maplecottage
Member Since: 01 Feb 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3171
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I would guess that as well - new battery has been goosed by the old alternator, new alternator cannot rectify existing damage 
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| 13th Jun 2013 5:11 pm |
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les11677
Member Since: 11 Apr 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 8
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Many thanks to you both for your replies. I spoke to my mechanic and asked him if this could be the problem and he agreed that it was certainly possible. The only reason it wasn't tried earlier was because when he had it it didn't break down! So, consequently, a second new battery has been fitted and (fingers crossed), all appears to be working as it should be! Just need to sort out the parking sensors that have gone a bit haywire since the new battery was fitted!!!
Once again, thanks.
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| 28th Jun 2013 4:00 pm |
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les11677
Member Since: 11 Apr 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 8
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Since first posting here last April, our problems have still not been resolved. We have endeavoured to stick with the D3, using a jump start booster pack but we have literally tried everything. It's latest trip to a main dealer ended up with it being hooked up again to Landrover UK, who again gave it a clean bill of health. Every potential source of drain has been checked. To drain 120A in an hour must be a pump/motor, rather than a switch. Does anyone have any ideas?
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| 22nd Jan 2014 2:37 pm |
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M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8154
 
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Are you aware that if you where to leave the car unlocked with the radio playing for over 1 hour you will be lucky to have enough power in the battery to start the engine  It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
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| 22nd Jan 2014 3:30 pm |
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steveraspberry
Member Since: 18 Sep 2011
Location: Nr Sevenoaks,Kent
Posts: 2081
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Not wishing to rain on your parade but you mention taking it back to the supplying dealer after having it for 15 months! I'm guessing you're going to struggle with that personally. It does sound like the new alternator has killed the new battery as has been said before. I hope you get it sorted but as I said, I'm not sure you'll get any luck returning the car for a refund tbh.
Just my 2ps worth,
Best,
Steve My17 Volvo XC90 Inscription
MY15 Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian
RGK Tiga Fx Wheelchair,
Large Alsation called Abbs 
Medium blue Staffie called Piglet
Medium Alsation called Bailey
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| 22nd Jan 2014 3:57 pm |
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les11677
Member Since: 11 Apr 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 8
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There won't be a refund from the supplier, however it is still subject to finance so it can be declared 'not fit for purpose' and I then get to argue with the finance company about remuneration. They will send it to a main dealer who won't find the problem! I would still rather have the D3!
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| 22nd Jan 2014 4:11 pm |
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