Member Since: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Posts: 20
Battery Light Issues
I bought my 2007 DS about 2 weeks ago, managed to get 75 miles up the road when it went into limp mode with transmission fault, HDC not available and Parking Brake not available. I turned it of and on again twice to reset it to get me into the services, as I was pulling into the service a "water in fuel" message came up.
I left the car over night, went home and got another car and trailer to bring the disco back home, when I got it home it started fine, drove onto the ramps and I changed the fuel filter for a genuine land rover one. When I did that I saw the sensor on the bottom of the filter was not even plugged in so that should explain the water in fuel issue. I did test the fuel over night and no water so thats good.
While the car was on the ramp my brother left the ignition on so when we went to start the car the battery was flat! I jumped the car and everything was fine until the next day when the battery light came on in the car and the stereo went into low power mode.
I have charged the battery until it takes no more power from the charger but the light is still on. The car is at 12.9v before and during starting but still the light stays on.
Am I looking at a goosed alternator or something else?
Any advice appreciated.
6th Sep 2016 12:45 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Alternator does seem likely given that it has had to work hard recently, but before throwing money at it please check the charging circuit fuse. It can also trigger the light and has been known to blow during a jump-start.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Posts: 20
Thanks for the reply Robbie, is the charging circuit fuse in the fuse box next to the battery?
6th Sep 2016 1:06 pm
James7759
Member Since: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Posts: 20
I found the fuse (the 400amp copper fuse in the positive battery terminal itself. Its fine so looks like the alternator is coming out.
8th Sep 2016 8:55 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10365
No, he meant the 5A one, in that box
8th Sep 2016 12:19 pm
James7759
Member Since: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Posts: 20
the 5A Fuse in the fuse box next to the battery that is labelled ALT? I have checked that it is fine.
8th Sep 2016 12:37 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10365
yeap, that's the one
8th Sep 2016 12:38 pm
James7759
Member Since: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Posts: 20
Shame, thought I had missed an obvious one there, oh well, I have the fan etc out now just need to pull the alternator out tonight and get a new one in.
8th Sep 2016 12:40 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
You need to disconnect the battery without delay, failed and failing alternators can cause a dead short and kill a perfectly healthy battery.
I know it needs to be a Denso (OE) alternator to avoid more problems but can this really be the price for exchange? Its very cheap. Has anyone used them before?
9th Sep 2016 10:12 am
James7759
Member Since: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Posts: 20
New alternator fitted last night, ended up having to borrow a viscous fan removal tool from a friend who is a landrover tech. Light is off and all is well so far .... fingers crossed.
14th Sep 2016 11:56 am
UpCreakNoPaddle
Member Since: 21 Aug 2014
Location: Salisbury
Posts: 8
5 amp alt fuse repeatedly blowing
Hi gurus
I think I had a dead short from a knackered alternator.
Have replaced the alternator and battery with brand new. Had the red light on dash issue with the fuse which my local specialist suggested checking. Hey presto, replaced, revved and the light went out.
A few days later the light is back on, so I change the 5 amp again. Last for a week or two.
Went again yesterday, replaced and gone again this morning. Considering a 10 amp until I can get help diagnosing and fixing.
Any suggestions on:
a) replace with 10 amp
b) possible causes and remedies
Getting desperate but need it safe for missus and mini me whilst I’m at work.
30th Jan 2019 9:11 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10365
I wouldn't try a higher fuse. it won't help.
1) Alternator fault
or
2) The thin wire to the alternator is shorting on metal somewhere.
Take it back to who did the work?
30th Jan 2019 9:15 pm
UpCreakNoPaddle
Member Since: 21 Aug 2014
Location: Salisbury
Posts: 8
Thanks Pete
I’ll have a look hopefully before it snows.
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