Low Battery Mode D3

[AnD3rew]

I was listening to my iPod in the D3 last night with the engine turned off and the key turned just to accessory while I waited for my son to finish his karate lesson. I noticed that the volume was nt very loud and kept trying to turn it up until I noticed a message on the Radio not the dash that said something like low battery mode and wouldnt let me increase the volume.

Does this really mean my battery is low or does it always do this when the engine is off?

The car is almost exactly 12 months old, so I would hope it is not a dieing battery.

[gghaggis]

I recall the newer D3's (2009) always did this, but my 2006 model didn't.

Cheers,

Gordon

[chuck]

Mine is an 09 model with the stereo upgrade & also does this.

Regards

Chuck

[ADMIRAL]

The accessory plugs seem to stay live for a controlled period, ( D4 ) and then they shut down. I timed them at around 45 minutes with a full charged battery. This reduced to only 5 minutes as the battery ran down during the day.

Seems the CPU protects the battery as the voltage drops. No idea if this is related to your issue.

[bbyer]

The message that you received on your radio display was a good news "Land Rover is looking after you", message.

Well that is what Land Rover thinks anyway.

With the engine off and if the radio were in full operation with all the amplifiers working etc, the starting battery would drain quickly. The concern is therefore that it is unlikly there would be enough power left in the battery to start the engine.

As such, the radio has a power reduction feature that kills the ampifliers and similar radio related stuff so as to reduce current draw and hence protect your starting battery.

In other words, the message comes up to announce that an attempt is being made to protect the battery from going dead before it does go dead.

It was that reality that in part prompted me to install the Traxide second battery kit.

I did not alter the radio wiring, but now on my 2005, the radio has more battery power to draw on so I do not seem to get that low power warning any longer. I would if I had the radio on for a long time, (whatever that means), but to date and for the short periods that I play the radio with the engine off, I have not seen the warning any more. Prior to the second battery Traxide install, the low power warning was routine, and that was with a starting battery in like new condition.

[DiscoWeb]

AnD3rew,

My 2008 SE does this.

I have the upgraded stereo package and sometimes my lids sit in the car with the radio on and we get tha message.

i had assumed that it was simply a protection mode to stop the battery draining from have the stereo up full with the engine not running.

George

[discojools]

My 05 S does this. Very thoughtfull of LR!

[AnD3rew]

Thanks all, good to know my battery isnt necessarily on the way out. I ask becasue my last car a BMW died inconveniently on me only a couple of months from new with a dead battery and I am a bit wary of OEM batteries.

[bbyer]

Here in Canada in the winter, I am scared of a dead battery. Rather than dry up after three days in the sun, we tend to freeze solid overnight if stranded with a dead vehicle.

Freezing is quite common when the vehicle slides off the road and then snow drifts over it. The occupants are often not found until spring breakup. Alternatively, victims can be found frozen only a few miles from help while trying to walk out. Not everyone has a sat phone, and cell phone service is well, probably like Oz, available if a profit can be made.

Anyway, the link below is to a previous thread related to installing a second battery. My feeling is that more than ever, the 3 is mobile computing taken to the extreme. Even a low power battery can cause strange things to start happening and lead to general unpleasantness.

In my case, my selection of battery was to choose one suitable for starting purposes, (what I call shallow cycle), rather than for running fridges or radios, (deep cycle).


http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/97803-2nd-battery-07-d3.html

[Tote]

My D3 (2008 build SE with upgraded stereo) has always reduced the volume if the key is turned off and then the message flashes up saying low battery mode. I don't think it's doing anything smart, it just senses that the volume is above a certain level and reduces the power consumed when the engine isn't running. Maybe you blokes don't listen to your stereo loud enough:wasntme: was listening to Chickenfoot (Sammy Hagar of Van Halen Fame) this morning at 35.......
Regards,
Tote

[trobbo]

The manual for my 05 HSE confirms that maximum volume is limited when the engine is not running.


ps - don't mention rim sizes :D

[bbyer]

I tried my radio at loud volume settings with the engine off, and yes, at Volume level 20, the Low Power message appears near instantly and the radio then quiets somewhat.

I also tested it with the second battery disconnected and got the same above results.

I however recall that prior to the second battery install, I would get the Low Power message on the radio after a few minutes at much less than Volume level 20 settings.

As such, I think that the power reduction function can occur with lower battery voltage as well as radio volume level. In other words, automatic and near instant volume reduction for volume settings above 20 and also for settings below 20 when the battery voltage drops below some predetermined level.

I could be wrong, but I don't think so as when I was looking for the 3, when at dealerships, I would try out the radio with the engine off, and often that message would soon appear. I assumed it was because the battery of the subject vehicle was low due to being parked for a long time.

[ADMIRAL]

My D3 (2008 build SE with upgraded stereo) has always reduced the volume if the key is turned off and then the message flashes up saying low battery mode. I don't think it's doing anything smart, it just senses that the volume is above a certain level and reduces the power consumed when the engine isn't running. Maybe you blokes don't listen to your stereo loud enough:wasntme: was listening to Chickenfoot (Sammy Hagar of Van Halen Fame) this morning at 35.......
Regards,
Tote
Yow !! How are the ear drums !

[Tote]

Yow !! How are the ear drums !

Eh............
:eek:

[trobbo]

Yow !! How are the ear drums !

WHAT? YOU'LL HAVE TO SPEAK UP I CANT HEAR YOU.

LOVE IN AN ELEVATOR BY AEROSMITH AT 33 WITH THE BASS ON MAX REALLY ROCKS TO!

[ADMIRAL]

WHAT? YOU'LL HAVE TO SPEAK UP I CANT HEAR YOU.

LOVE IN AN ELEVATOR BY AEROSMITH AT 33 WITH THE BASS ON MAX REALLY ROCKS TO!

Mine only goes to 30........Maybe I have an auto ear protection ECU ?