FFRR - Alternator or battery failure?

**rar110** · 1st October 2015, 02:04 PM

Looks like the alternator or battery may have died in the RRV tdv8.

Here are the symptoms:
* battery went flat while waiting for tranny repair (sitting for 3 mths);
* a week later battery had insufficient charge to start when on camping trip, was able to jump start it ok;
* a week later (today) after lots of driving, I start it and suspension fault comes up, but goes ok so drive a short distance;
* I get in and start it again no problem, suspension fault comes up again but drives ok;
* I get to my destination, sit in the car with it idling while talking on phone. After about 10 min of engine running the ABS warning, DSC warning and park brake warning all start flashing and centre screen goes blank.
* turn car off, turn key again, nothing from starter, same warnings on dash;
* come back in 10 min, turns over just but no start.

NRMA on way to test battery and alternator voltage.

**rar110** · 1st October 2015, 02:17 PM

Also, battery was replaced in January 2014, so not yet 2 years old.

**chaybra** · 1st October 2015, 02:18 PM

chances are battery, if it was the alternator, the alternator light would have come on presumably.

**Blknight.aus** · 1st October 2015, 02:20 PM

Im going to go wirh bad connection on thw earth side somewhere and that battery is probably stuffed by now bit mofht come back on a rejuvination styles charger

**rar110** · 1st October 2015, 04:04 PM

Thanks for the replies.

Connections at the battery end are ok.

NRMA volt tested it before and after starting it. About 11v before starting it and fluctuated between 11v & under 12v after starting.

We are about 4 hrs from hm. The plan is to get a battery charger and another charger from hm as a back up. Local LR dealer wanted $1300 for alternator plus 6 hrs fitting. So will attempt to drive it hm.

**drivesafe** · 1st October 2015, 04:54 PM

I would shop around for an alternator.

I got mine rebuilt for $380 but fitting was a killer.

Contact Justic and see if he can be of some assistance.

BTW, even with a known fully charged battery, I wouldn’t leave an RR for more than a week without maintaining a charge in the cranking battery.

**rar110** · 1st October 2015, 05:09 PM

New one from my mechanics supplier is $780 incl. It sat at repairer for 3 mths. I look forward to getting your DBS with Anderson plug.

Tim how do you think I will go driving 4 1/2 hrs after recharging the battery with a smart charger?

**drivesafe** · 1st October 2015, 05:34 PM

Mate. I would not try much more than 2 hours with a fully charge GOOD battery, and with your battery, an hour would be it's limit.

Be aware, if your battery gets too low, your motor will shutdown.

This will leave you with no brakes and no steering.

Been there, done that!!!!!!

So take care.

**Blknight.aus** · 1st October 2015, 06:12 PM

for extra insurance see if you can get a loan of a decent 12v battery tank.

you can then either run it in parallel through one of the aux sockets and monitor your voltage (this will buy you some time) or keep in fully charged so that if it all goes wrong you can have a couple of goes at a start and maybe 10 minutes worth of driving to get yourself out of trouble.

**austeve01** · 1st October 2015, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by rar110

New one from my mechanics supplier is $780 incl. It sat at repairer for 3 mths. I look forward to getting your DBS with Anderson plug.

Tim how do you think I will go driving 4 1/2 hrs after recharging the battery with a smart charger?

Hi Pete

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Had a similar thing happen to my D3 just after I bought it and it was found to be not only the starting battery that had had it's day but also the aux battery. They were replaced & everything back to normal. About 6 mths later similar happenings again & this time the alternator was the culprit. Replaced and everything fine. It was then I got a DBS from Traxide and a Ctek smart charger and every week would connect it through the Anderson plug. I've also just had fitted the DT90-L322 DBS kit & am following the same protocol with the RRTDV8. Seems to be working a treat. When I check voltage in starting battery after a smart charging cycle it is never less than 12.9v. I do this more frequently when the vehicle has only done short trips. Don't know much about auto electrics but this seems to be working for me. Have a safe return.

Cheers
Steve

Thread: FFRR - Alternator or battery failure?

Thread Tools

FFRR - Alternator or battery failure?

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions