Lights flicker from cold start and garage cannot resolve
Hi everybody. I am new to this forum, and have been directed to your site by recommendation and I am hoping somebody can help with a fault.
Hopefully somebody can offer some advice on how to deal with a problem I have with my tow car and the garage. It's a discovery 4. The end of last year when it started to get dark I noticed that for the first 4 miles or so of driving that the headlight brightness changed when it changed gear and the revs dropped. This was most noticeable when I dropped on the motorway when leaving work after the car had been stood all day as the road is dark. Would not happen if I had used the car during the day and was not possible to see on normal street lit roads because of the street lights and the lower speeds you do and lower engine reving. I told my dealer at service and they said that there was a bulb shorting and changed it. When I tested the vehicle the problem was still there. They had another go and said they updated the software. I still had the probleM. Then they changed the battery. Still had the problem. Now I have collected the vehicle again after they have had it 1 week and done extensive tests with the help of Land Rover factory. They did not find a fault, so I left the vehicle all day, waited until dark and left work. The problem is still there. How do I move this forward. Car is 1 month in warranty. Do I go back to dealer, contact LR direct or what. I appreciate it's difficult for them to see the issue as when car has warmed up it does not show itself. I took some video footage with my camera on the dash to prove to them so I know I am not imaging it. I don't know whether just to accept it or keep going back? I love the car but don't want this issue to grind me down with the car, the garage or the brand.
Any suggestions.
David
26th Feb 2015 9:21 pm
JonM
Member Since: 24 May 2012
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1247
I haven't got an answer for you, but if you add your car's details (age, trim level, etc) it will help the more knowledgeable on the forum to make suggestions. MY2022 D5 HSE D300 - with extra nice bits added
MY2019 D5 HSE 3.0 SDV6 - sold to a dealer for a crazy price! - So good I bought another!
MY2012 D4 HSE 3.0 SDV6 - retired to a new home
D4 XS MY12
Standard headlight bulbs
Does not matter of other equipment turned on or off
I do have MP4 video of fault but been unable to load it on here.
Can't replicate fault after around 4 miles of driving.
If more details are required let me know
26th Feb 2015 10:54 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Where in South Yorkshire are you?
It will help in the future if you add your vehicle details to your profile; that way people will know without having to ask.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
Post the video via You Tube and thn link to that on hereMY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
27th Feb 2015 6:47 am
maplecottage
Member Since: 01 Feb 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3171
Dave - I see you have a few responses on the Caravan Talk forum (added one myself). Mostly 'nay sayers' unfortunately, don't let that put you off.
You'll find the best response and feedback will come from here and you will get a ton of support because we all have the common bond - the LR permagrin
I'm sure it won't be too long before some sensible feedback is winging its way to you.
Steve
27th Feb 2015 9:17 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26779
I have had this on our company Ford Galaxy, the headlights would periodically flicker brighter than normal. Then it wouldn't do it for ages, then it would do it for a few miles, then stop etc.
It turned out to be a faulty alternator, it was charging, but was spiking the voltage occasionally. New alternator fixed it.
27th Feb 2015 9:24 am
allyv
Member Since: 11 May 2013
Location: reading
Posts: 46
does sound like charge fault.
27th Feb 2015 10:26 am
Dudleydisco
Member Since: 20 Jun 2014
Location: York
Posts: 853
Are you using the heated screens at the time? There was a TSB issued: LTB00587v3 - Potential Voltage Dip To Headlamps When Heated Screens Are Deactivated, so don't know if that's involved or not.D4 MY14 XXV - RLD/IID BT
D4 MY13 HSE Lux - RLD/IID BT
P38 RR - Sad parting
110 - Even sadder parting
S3 88" - Still going strong after 23 years of ownership
A short update for you. I am still waiting to hear back from the garage but i did some testing with a volt meter tonight. With engine running lights on and heated screens on the lights brighten and dim when engine revs and then idles. Volts raise to 14.6 when raving and drop to 13.4 when not. Dimming can be seen on interior lights as well.
Is this normal?
I have emailed results of a few days testing by myself to the garage and await their response.
A short update for you. I am still waiting to hear back from the garage but i did some testing with a volt meter tonight. With engine running lights on and heated screens on the lights brighten and dim when engine revs and then idles. Volts raise to 14.6 when raving and drop to 13.4 when not. Dimming can be seen on interior lights as well.
Is this normal?
I have emailed results of a few days testing by myself to the garage and await their response.
Thanks
David
Landrover came back to my dealer having reviewed the readings I sent them and now want to change the alternator. It will take them 3 weeks to get one. Once fitted I will update the thread and let everybody know how it goes.
Thats what they said, and its a Main Dealer.Discovery 4 XS
MY 12
Nara Bronze
Towing Elddis Odyssey 656
4th Mar 2015 1:21 pm
Streffie
Member Since: 30 Mar 2014
Location: Midlands
Posts: 171
Is anyone local to this guy that knows how to use an oscilloscope ?, this would be the best way of testing voltage drop to the head lights using a low amps clamp connected to the scope, this way it can be recorded and sent to LR, also check the alternator output with it.
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