Low Power Mode while driving

[PeterLilburn]

Hi guys - hoping someone can help.

Have a RRS 2007 model with original radio. For the last 2 weeks I intermittently get "low Power Mode" displaying on the radio (and the subsequent drop in volume). I understand this feature is to avoid getting a flat battery when the engine isn't running, but looking for some advice re: this occurring when driving. Power load has not changed - always driving the same way with lights on, A/C on, radio on etc.. New battery put in 12 months ago - no other indication of a battery/alternator issue.

We do tow with this vehicle and concerned about this so we don't get stuck somewhere out the back of the black stump.... Any suggestions???

Regs Pete

[PeterLilburn]

Ok - so didn't get any responses to my question so will hopefully get some advice from the sysadmin for this page - perhaps i'm doing something wrong - or possibly nobody can assist.

UPDATE: i have now spent approx AUD$3,000 for a new alternator and a $360 battery - and guess what - still have the same issue - not happy Jan!!!.

any suggestion most welcome.

Regs Pete

[101RRS]

UPDATE: i have now spent approx AUD$3,000 for a new alternator and a $360 battery - and guess what - still have the same issue - not happy Jan!!!.

any suggestion most welcome.

Regs Pete

Sorry I missed your original post - I have had the problem you had with the radio and it has always been when I have allowed the battery to get down a bit - takes a while to fix and when running turning the radio off at the switch helps and when the system should be all back to full charge doing a hard reset of the cars systems helped. The next level down from "low power" which restricts volume is the radio is on but no sound at all - had that as well.

Now why did you replace the alternator and battery? Did you have codes indicating a failing alternator - the battery light will be on on the dash. If the battery is failing you should get lots of weird fault lights especially on start - including low power on the radio. Did you even get a simple test of both at an auto elect? Despite the complexity of the cars even a basic voltage and load tests show up faults.

Now to the sad bit - why did you pay $3000 to get a new alternator - they are $550 locally and even cheaper from the UK - about 60 mins to install - I did mine in January - relative easy job - even if at a dealer 45min labour cost.

Do not do anything on these cars without getting the codes read.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Garry

[PeterLilburn]

Sorry I missed your original post - I have had the problem you had with the radio and it has always been when I have allowed the battery to get down a bit - takes a while to fix and when running turning the radio off at the switch helps and when the system should be all back to full charge doing a hard reset of the cars systems helped. The next level down from "low power" which restricts volume is the radio is on but no sound at all - had that as well.

Now why did you replace the alternator and battery? Did you have codes indicating a failing alternator - the battery light will be on on the dash. If the battery is failing you should get lots of weird fault lights especially on start - including low power on the radio. Did you even get a simple test of both at an auto elect? Despite the complexity of the cars even a basic voltage and load tests show up faults.

Now to the sad bit - why did you pay $3000 to get a new alternator - they are $550 locally and even cheaper from the UK - about 60 mins to install - I did mine in January - relative easy job - even if at a dealer 45min labour cost.

Do not do anything on these cars without getting the codes read.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Garry

Thank you so much for responding Garry - very much appreciated.

It's clear i have a few issues, including what i have been charged from a reputable Land Rover specialist. The $3K did include a minor service, however i certainly have paid well and truly more than the alternator was worth. The Alternator was after the entire car died, along with a considerable burning smell from the alternator - so didn't get any failure notification. The computers have all been reset, when i went back for the third time with the low power fault, and i ended up with a new battery - the old one was only 18 months old.

Still getting the Low power message, even after driving a few hundred kilometres with new alternator and new battery, so something is NQR, but now only happening when i'm on Acc power, without the engine running... And its consistently repeatable... Back i go again,

really not happy :(

Regs Pete

[PeterLilburn]

Now a lot happier - thank you Garry for the most helpful advice.

Problem has been successfully resolved - initially i had an intermittent alternator, when it died, it took out/damaged my battery. Once both replaced i noticed the the Low Power Mode was NOT happening anymore whilst driving, only on ACC power.

RRS head unit feature is to do this when on ACC to avoid flattening battery. My mechanic had three vehicles in getting serviced when i went back thinking there was still an issue. As this is a "feature" it is normal behaviour and repeatable. Listen to audio on ACC, then increase volume past 20, and the Low Power "feature" kicks in.

Initial cost did also include minor service and a few bits and pieces, but charge was still high - lot happier now i know i'm not going to get stuck somewhere.

i know more now than i did this morning so a good day :)

Regs Pete