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Thread: Sudden loss of electrics and flat battery when driving

  1. 15th January 2013, 05:47 PM #1
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    Sudden loss of electrics and flat battery when driving

    G'day all,
    Just probing the collective knowledge to see if anyone can shed some light on my problem.

    Driving home from a camping trip to Wivenhoe Dam in "The Mistress" ('97 300tdi wagon) and towing the camper trailer. I had a sudden and instant loss of electrical power shutting down the engine. No instruments, radio, lights or other signs of life.

    1. On inspection of the engine bay fuses the second fuse (60 amp) from the front of the vehicle had blown. (did not replace)
    2. The main battery was extremely hot and flat
    3. Aux battery appeared to be ok and powering the fridge in the back.
    4. Checked all circuit breakers and other fuses

    So now I did something that I feel I may regret, I disconnected and removed the main battery and swapped the leads over to the aux battery then tried to start the engine. The engine started, ran for about 10 seconds and shutdown in a repeat performance resulting in another very hot and flat battery and leaving me to scratch my head on the side of the road in 40+ degree temparetures.


    woody
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  2. 15th January 2013, 06:15 PM #2
    jboot51
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    Has to be a short circuit. To heat up the battery, thats massive amps, not too many cables can handle a high current without melting.
    Starter motor works, so it's not that
    could be the alternator has died and shorting out.
    maybe winch control box if you have one.

    Would have thought a 300 TDI would keep going regardless.
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  3. 15th January 2013, 06:18 PM #3
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    Blknight.aus
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    my money is on a shorted main cable near the fuse panel or a shot alternator/lead.
    Dave

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  4. 15th January 2013, 06:33 PM #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by jboot51 View Post
    .

    Would have thought a 300 TDI would keep going regardless.
    Electric fuel pump on that one. No power, no fuel
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  5. 15th January 2013, 06:43 PM #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Blknight.aus View Post
    my money is on a shorted main cable near the fuse panel or a shot alternator/lead.
    I'll give it the once over tomorrow, but it better bloody not be the alternator lead as I recently (12 months ago) had the leads from the alternator through to and including the battery box replaced and upgraded.

    thanks

    woody
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  6. 15th January 2013, 07:15 PM #6
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    That means it might turn out to simply be a dropped locating bolt in the fuseable link section.

    Is the vehicle back in the switch yet?

    If so I can make a swing out with the meter and some gear to have a look see, but in the mean time head to super cheap and grab youself some replacement fuses.
    Dave

    "In a Landrover the other vehicle is your crumple zone."

    For spelling call Rogets, for mechanicing call me.

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  7. 15th January 2013, 07:16 PM #7
    DeanoH
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    Has the main battery failed and is dragging the other down ? With a massive battery discharge like you have, look for smoke and/or heat. perhaps the main battery has shorted cells. ? Did you disconnect the original main battery when you swapped batterys over ?

    Deano
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  8. 15th January 2013, 09:20 PM #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by DeanoH View Post
    Has the main battery failed and is dragging the other down ? With a massive battery discharge like you have, look for smoke and/or heat. perhaps the main battery has shorted cells. ? Did you disconnect the original main battery when you swapped batterys over ?

    Deano
    no smoke, plenty of heat, main battery completely removed, both batteries seem to have charged back up to normal.

    thanks

    woody
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  9. 16th January 2013, 07:29 AM #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Blknight.aus View Post
    That means it might turn out to simply be a dropped locating bolt in the fuseable link section.
    I'm with Dave, I had something similar happen to a landcruiser ute on the farm, only difference was I could get things working again if I jiggled the leads. Turned out to be a dodgy fuseable link. The symptoms I had were almost identical.

    JP
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  10. 16th January 2013, 02:48 PM #10
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    Eureaka! I found it!

    It seems that when the winch was fitted they routed the cable behind the turbo air intake and bolted it onto the starter solenoid. As a consequence the vibration caused the cable insulated to wear and short out.





    I'm still checking the rest of the wiring for signs of wear but I'll bite the bullet and sought out the battery box once and for all.

    Thanks for the advice and offers for assistance, much appreciated.

    woody
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