Thread: Knackered battery causing errors

Hi Matt and the damage is probably done by now but see how it goes.

Unfortunately in your case it is not the battery or vehicle’s fault. Short drives and/or long periods between uses are not good for any cranking battery but in D3/D4s the problem is exacerbated by the amount of power that is used while the computers shutdown after each drive.

So with short drives and being parked up for long periods, your battery has actually done quite well to last this long.

Just a suggestion and depending on where you park your disco, a solar panel might be a better solution for the next battery!

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi Matt and the damage is probably done by now but see how it goes.

Unfortunately in your case it is not the battery or vehicle’s fault. Short drives and/or long periods between uses are not good for any cranking battery but in D3/D4s the problem is exacerbated by the amount of power that is used while the computers shutdown after each drive.

So with short drives and being parked up for long periods, your battery has actually done quite well to last this long.

Just a suggestion and depending on where you park your disco, a solar panel might be a better solution for the next battery!

Prob a dumb question, but any reason why I can't simply put the battery charger on the Disco's battery in-situ? There is no risk of upsetting the car's computers, is there?

Originally Posted by Malcolm

Prob a dumb question, but any reason why I can't simply put the battery charger on the Disco's battery in-situ? There is no risk of upsetting the car's computers, is there?

I have used the same method to keep the main battery fully charged, when it was getting only short runs. I have not had to bother since replacing the battery.

I normally run my battery conditioner on my other car (TVR) through the cigarette lighter, but I noticed on the Disco this is a switched feed via the ignition - so assume it wouldn't work?

If not, I'll just hook up under the bonnet.

Originally Posted by Malcolm

Prob a dumb question, but any reason why I can't simply put the battery charger on the Disco's battery in-situ? There is no risk of upsetting the car's computers, is there?

Hi Malcolm and there is no problem with connecting the charger while the battery is in place.

If a problem occurs with the charge, your battery is the only thing that is likely to be damaged because your ignition will be off so nothing else is in danger of being damaged.

Originally Posted by Mattt

I normally run my battery conditioner on my other car (TVR) through the cigarette lighter, but I noticed on the Disco this is a switched feed via the ignition - so assume it wouldn't work?

If not, I'll just hook up under the bonnet.

The left hand (caraven) trailer plug has a direct feed to the battery and is unaffected by the state of the ignition or lock. You can back feed into the battery from there. I don't have my D4 stuff with me for the pins but it's easy to find on the forum or net or with a multimeter.

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi Malcolm and there is no problem with connecting the charger while the battery is in place.

If a problem occurs with the charge, your battery is the only thing that is likely to be damaged because your ignition will be off so nothing else is in danger of being damaged.

Lots of the electronics (eg the suspension ecu, alternator, immobiliser) never disconnect from power, not that it would stop me from connecting a charger to the battery in-situ with the normal precautions of good cable connection practices.

It's pin 4 on the 12S (white socket). See this link

HTH

Ivan