2011 Discovery TDV6 Electrical Problem - Playing Dead!

[PhilDoz]

This one appears to have the local Land Rover dealer stumped: very often on returning to the vehicle I find that the electrics are completely non-responsive - as in no auto unlock, no lights, nothing happening on the dashboard. Its playing dead. I then disconnect and reconnect the battery (which is in good condition and fully charged) and every thing is fine. Starts no problem, lights, electronics, every thing is working as it should - except, that is, the clock. Whenever the engine is turned off the clock reverts back to 01-01-2009.

Has anybody experienced the same problem and, if so, was the cause identified and how was it fixed? Does anybody have any ideas? As I said, the local Land Rover dealer was unable to help, although its attempts at identifying the problem were desultory at best.


Thanks in anticipation.

[scarry]

Spoken to MR auto at Redcliffe?

I would give them a go,it won't be the first vehicle they have sorted that the dealers couldn't.

Sorry i can't help,haven't seen an issue like this on here,hopefully someone chimes in with some ideas.

Have you done a search on the UK D3/4 sites?There may be some useful info on there.

[LuckyLes]

hi,
Greg Tunstall at Cleveland might be a bit closer to you. He has been good over the years that I have known him. He has a sparky on staff.
LuckyLes

[LRD414]

I suspect your battery negative lead, although for the vehicle to be dead every time is strange. Sometimes the terminal seems done up tight but isn’t. Not sitting down fully on post and appears tightened but actually loose. Clock always resets after power is taken off the battery.

Scott

[PhilDoz]

Thanks for those various suggestions. I'm starting with Rover 4WD Care at Slacks Creek and will move my way northwards seeking a solution.

Re the battery terminal, I've checked that before and have just done so again. All is secure there. Also, the clock resetting occurs regardless of whether it has had one of its playing dead episodes. That is, even when I go to the vehicle and it starts normally, the clock will have reset itself.

Regards

PhilDoz

[scarry]

Thanks for those various suggestions. I'm starting with Rover 4WD Care at Slacks Creek and will move my way northwards seeking a solution.

Re the battery terminal, I've checked that before and have just done so again. All is secure there. Also, the clock resetting occurs regardless of whether it has had one of its playing dead episodes. That is, even when I go to the vehicle and it starts normally, the clock will have reset itself.

Regards

PhilDoz

That clock resetting definitely points to an intermittent main power failure,or very low main voltage.
Mine resets to that same date if the battery is disconnected and reconnected.

One of my brothers knows Paul there well,hopefully he gets it sorted.🙂

[Ean Austral]

Doesn't the D4 have a BMS on the negative lead to the start battery , or connected to the negative lead somehow.

wonder if this is playing up and causing the car to go to deep sleep.

Just a thought

cheers Ean

[PhilDoz]

Thanks for the further suggestion.

Not sure what a BMS is (battery management system perhaps?) but the negative lead from the battery in my vehicle goes straight to earth with nothing in between.

Rummaging around in the battery/fuse box I found this disconnected connection. Can't see anywhere that it might belong.

136055

Its a green wire with red thread and a black wire. May not have anything to do with the problem at hand but any thoughts on its purpose/importance?

Cheers

[PhilDoz]

With the assistance of Andrew at Greg Tunstall Mechanical and Autologic, progress of sorts has been made with this issue. It seems that the bit about the clock resetting has been the subject of a Land Rover Special Service Message; SSM61297 which reads:

"Reference Models

Title Category Last modified Symptom Content

SSM61297

LR4 / L319
Range Rover / L322 Range Rover Sport / L320

Clock resets to default value 12.00am and date 01/01/2009 Electrical
24-Jan-2013 00:00:00
204000 Instrumentation

Issue: A customer may report that intermittently the Instrument Pack clock changes setting to read time12.00am and date 01/01/2009 or the time remains correct but switches between a 12hr /24hr format and vice versa when not requested or changes from MM/DD/YY// DD/MM/YY format and vice versa when not requested.

Cause: Body Control Module (BCM) intermittently resets to the default value. Action: Carry out the following steps:

1. Check that the concern is not as a result of intermittent low battery voltage by testing the battery and all power and earth connections. Rectify if necessary.

2. Check that the power and earth connections to the Body control Module have good continuity and correct readings. Rectify if necessary.

3. If no fault is found with steps 1 to 2, replace the Body Control Module if the vehicle is within the VIN range below.

Discovery/LR4 AA 528840–CA623748 Range Rover Sport AA 233855– CA749082."


Steps 1 & 2 have been tried, which leaves step 3 - replacement of the BCM. This undoubtedly will be an expensive proposition.

It occurs to me though that if in January 2013, when my vehicle was still under warranty, Land Rover was aware of a flaw in design/manufacture of the BCM which had the potential to cause a problem; even if that problem does not manifest itself until after the warranty period has expired, oughtn't it still be covered? What are the forum's thoughts on that proposition?

[loanrangie]

Armed with that info i would be pressing for a new BCM at their cost.