PeterTh
Member Since: 06 Sep 2013
Location: Alunda
Posts: 330
  
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| Effects of a bad battery? |
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Hello,
Often when peaple ask questions about electrical problems one of the first answers is "it could be a bad battery" and that "Disco 3:s and 4:s are sensitive to bad batteries causing various strange problems". I am wondering when you could expect to get problems from a bad battery? Is it when you start the car and all ECU:s are booting or could you get problems from a bad battery also during driving even when the alternator is charging and functioning as it should?
The reason I am asking is that I have an intermittent gearbox problem and when mesuring my battery it has only 43% capacity left. The problem generally occurs after some time driving and I have a good alternator so I was thinking if it could be the bad battery after all?
//Peter 2011 Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 S Automatic
1999 Discovery 2 V8 ES Automatic
Earlier
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Automatic
1996 Discovery 300 Tdi ES Automatic
1975 Series 3 2.25 diesel
Nanocom Evolution for D2 V8, D3 and D4
Working kelpies for working the sheep
 
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 10th Jun 2021 12:24 pm |
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Carl and Petra
Member Since: 13 Feb 2015
Location: Hautes Pyrenees
Posts: 219
 
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It does not sound like a bad battery...but, in truth i would not know.
I am anly answering as over the years bad battery problems, for me, always manifest on starting. Today i just replaced the original battery on my 2015 D4.
If it helps these were the symptoms. Over the winter we just had the car was evidently struggling to start, usually it happily fires up with a healthy and quick roar. However if i left it outside and the temp dipped below freezing it was sluggish and seemed to 'just' fire up. Also during the winter the battery light would come on and stay on until the car was driven for a bit.
Also the stop start system failed...no great loss there so i ignored that.
When the weather warmed up the battery problem went away, so naturally i ignored the fact my battery was slowly dying! Well until another sluggish start the other day, and as the temp is now at 26Degrees C i decided to put a new battery in.
If i had your issue i would do the usual battery checks. Voltage when cold and systems off and voltage when running, then after a journey voltage again. If all is normal then i suspect you have another problem.
I am not familiar with the 43 % capacity you speak of.
Best of luck sortin it.
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| 9th Jul 2021 3:30 pm |
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PeterTh
Member Since: 06 Sep 2013
Location: Alunda
Posts: 330
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Hello and thanks for your reply,
Starting problems is the usual typical sign if you have a bad battery but you could also get other problems before you notice it with the starting. There are several ECU:s in the car and each needs to start up and pass the self controls. As I had problems with the Transmission Control Module I was curious if a bad battery also could cause problems after start up and driving for a bit even if you have ok charging. The capacity I am talking about is how many CCA:s there is left using a battery tester to test the battery.
As my battery was rather bad I have now changed it for a new Banner AGM one.
Thanks,
Peter 2011 Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 S Automatic
1999 Discovery 2 V8 ES Automatic
Earlier
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Automatic
1996 Discovery 300 Tdi ES Automatic
1975 Series 3 2.25 diesel
Nanocom Evolution for D2 V8, D3 and D4
Working kelpies for working the sheep
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| 9th Jul 2021 3:38 pm |
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Carl and Petra
Member Since: 13 Feb 2015
Location: Hautes Pyrenees
Posts: 219
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Let us know if that eliminates the problem if you can.
These cars are so different to all i have had before it is handy to hear of what goes on and how it can affect what.
Still the best car ever though!
Cheers.
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| 10th Jul 2021 10:07 am |
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