Thread: DISCO 4 2014 TIME FOR NEW BATTERY

So new battery fitted (Amaron Jade LN5) and Battery Central reset the BMS, however I'm still getting the low battery start engine warnings even after an hours drive and being told the batteries were typically ~85% charged & therefore well above the voltage the warning should kick in.

Makes we wonder whether my 35 month old Yuasa battery was the problem after all....

Oh and it's now decided it won't lock the rear doors.......

And I'm supposed to be off on a 5,000 km roadtrip through the outback & Strzelecki.

Check terminals are tight,
Check fob battery is ok (even before low battery warning they can be problematic)
Check charging voltage from alternator.

Thanks Tombie.

Turns out the gateway module part of the main body computer needed a reflash of the latest software.

And both rear doors not unlocking - sometimes changing the battery can cause both rear door modules to lock up, you need to unplug them, wait 5 seconds and plug them back in. Wakes them up again and everything works.

Some days I wish I was still in my 300TDI Defenders / Disco 1 - then I remember it's 32degrees outside and the D4 is a much nicer place to be

Yesterday I jumped into my D4 to go to a meeting. All kinds of faults flashed up and the engine would not turn over. A quick exit and borrowed the wife's car. That afternoon I checked the battery and it showed 9.5 volts! Not a good sign. Connection of a CTEK charger with recondition activated got the battery up to 12.8V after a few hours and I was able to start the car and check the faults with my GAP tool. A massive list of faults was evident, but all cleared back to no faults with the engine running. Checked the battery voltage again after stopping the engine and there was a rapid decline down to below 12.2V. So I reckon that the 5 year old battery needs replacing.

I have a Traxide system auxiliary battery for connecting to the caravan and/or Engel fridge - this is an SSBHVT70LD which I think is the biggest that can fit in the space - with a bit of bonnet modification and trimming of brackets, etc. This battery is only 18 months old and seems to be good.

So I am looking to get a SSB SS88Ti as a replacement cranking battery based on recommendations in this thread and after checking specs online. Varta G14 looks attractive, but it is hard to justify and extra $200+ for what one hopes is little difference in lifetime or performance.

Originally Posted by StewG

Yesterday I jumped into my D4 to go to a meeting. All kinds of faults flashed up and the engine would not turn over. A quick exit and borrowed the wife's car. That afternoon I checked the battery and it showed 9.5 volts! Not a good sign. Connection of a CTEK charger with recondition activated got the battery up to 12.8V after a few hours and I was able to start the car and check the faults with my GAP tool. A massive list of faults was evident, but all cleared back to no faults with the engine running. Checked the battery voltage again after stopping the engine and there was a rapid decline down to below 12.2V. So I reckon that the 5 year old battery needs replacing.

I have a Traxide system auxiliary battery for connecting to the caravan and/or Engel fridge - this is an SSBHVT70LD which I think is the biggest that can fit in the space - with a bit of bonnet modification and trimming of brackets, etc. This battery is only 18 months old and seems to be good.

So I am looking to get a SSB SS88Ti as a replacement cranking battery based on recommendations in this thread and after checking specs online. Varta G14 looks attractive, but it is hard to justify and extra $200+ for what one hopes is little difference in lifetime or performance.

Don’t get the SS88Ti. Many of us have found it doesn’t last anywhere near as long as you’d expect. I went back to Varta. I had a great run with my first getting a solid five years. Got a smidge over two on the SS88. Sure I could have bothered with their warranty, but no local stock, wait times, and PITA factor. You do you, but do more recent research.

Thanks for the warning DiscoJeffster. The SS88TI is available in a week and the Varta A5 (replaces G14) is available today. So I went and picked up a Varta. It is now being charged before putting in the D4.

I had planned to drive and have it fitted (it weighs 27kg) but despite the old battery being on charge all night, the car showed 10.5V and refused to start. Tried jumper leads from another car, but still no luck. So it looks like I need a crane or extra weeties to do the job myself.

Originally Posted by StewG

despite the old battery being on charge all night, the car showed 10.5V and refused to start. Tried jumper leads from another car, but still no luck.

Looks like you need a set of proper jump leads.

Failing that, I use a set of steps. The fuse box with the lid on is strong enough to support the battery. Getting the old one out I position myself right above it.
- Put the bonnet in service mode (undo the gas struts and push it all the way back so it's not in the way).
- Undo stuff.
- Lift the old battery out and slide it onto the fuse box. This allows you to then climb down and lift it down plus a break between the two actions.
- Lift the new battery onto the fuse box, then sit down with a cup of tea to recover.
- Put the new battery into position.
- Do up stuff.
- Re-connect the bonnet struts.

Interesting to read that others have also had very poor experiences with the SSB batteries. I purchased an SSB88Ti which is currently within warranty and it can no longer turn the engine over on my LR Disco 3. I tested it at about 175CCA and the SSB dealer rep here tested it at about 200CCA on two separate testers. So about 80% loss of capacity in under 3 years? Have been told they wont cover under warranty and pointed to the statement on their website "Warranty does not cover discharged batteries or diminishing capacity...".

I've tried to follow it up with SSB Head Office for a second opinion but at this time no response to my emails and every time I call there is no one from warranty department to talk to.

Very disappointed.