Member Since: 20 Jan 2018
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 141
Heater not starting D4
Had my D4 just a few weeks.
Had to have the battery changed yesterday - except for a few lights it was completely dead.
Was expecting that because I’d had the Failed to start message on the display having tried to use the heater a couple of times.
However, with brand new battery fitted yesterday and plenty of fuel I got the same low fuel/battery message this morning.
Any pointers on where to start looking would be appreciated.Current : Discovery 4 HSE (2012 spec)
Current : BMW Z4 20i MSport
Current : BWM Z4 3.0SI Sport Auto
Previous : Freelander 2 HSE
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
There are 10 types of people in this world: Those who understand binary, and those who don’t.
8th Feb 2018 8:57 am
Redline
Member Since: 20 Jan 2018
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 141
Anyone know what voltage the FBH cuts out?
After several weeks frustration with the FBH running only for a few minutes before shutting down if running at all, am going to have the battery swapped.
Charged the battery for 5 hours on Thursday evening and was showing fully charged on the charger. Car not used yesterday, but this morning put the heater on to warm the car up while I cleared the snow.
It ran again for about 6 minutes and shut down.
Started it ook the car out, not for long admittedly and it needed about 1 sec with the glow plugs working to start.
The touch screen display didn't come on although the radio was working.
Got back and the battery was measuring just 12.4V.
I would have thought I'd every right to expect the FBH to run on a new Bosch S5 battery even if it has been out in the cold for two nights - That's just why its there surely.
When you start the car the FBH runs just as you're expect. The alternator is running at 15.1V no load and at 12.9V fully loaded with screens and heated seats on.
Just been on charge (thats the 5th time in 3 weeks) on the frost setting (5A at 14.7V) for two hours and was still only 12.75V. Disconnected the battery and reconnected it and that reset the display which was back and working.
Can't imagine there is enough residual current to crash the battery in 36 hours and the car cranks just fine - just won't keep the voltage higher enough to get the FBH running through a full cycle.
The car usually gets 2 x 30 mile journeys each day (40-50 minutes each way) - even in this weather that should be enough to keep the battery topped off, especially if it getting 15V for much of that.
I can only think that the new battery must be duff.
Any opinions, helpful advice?Current : Discovery 4 HSE (2012 spec)
Current : BMW Z4 20i MSport
Current : BWM Z4 3.0SI Sport Auto
Previous : Freelander 2 HSE
3rd Mar 2018 4:48 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73121
Yer alternator is goosed. If it's running at 12.9v with everything on then basically the battery is doing the work.
PS and prob the battery if it's not holding the voltage, pos the alternator has taken the battery with it.
3rd Mar 2018 4:52 pm
Redline
Member Since: 20 Jan 2018
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 141
If that had happened over a couple of days or more, I could understand it.
But, the FBH didn't run after a full charge without having started the engine. Had been stood 36 hours, but that shouldn't be such a problem surely.
Is there a possibility that the alternator sinks current back though it when the engine is off?
Faulty rectifier?Current : Discovery 4 HSE (2012 spec)
Current : BMW Z4 20i MSport
Current : BWM Z4 3.0SI Sport Auto
Previous : Freelander 2 HSE
3rd Mar 2018 4:56 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73121
Fully loaded, a working alternator would hold 14.something volts easily, not drop to 12.9v. Plus 15.1v lightly loaded, which it can cope with, is too high so to me (from experience in my D3) and is showing battery is struggling.
I could be wrong, I was once. I was a Tuesday and was raining!!
3rd Mar 2018 4:59 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8243
What battery have you fitted?- new batteries are not necessarily fully charged.
So you had the FBH on without the engine running while you cleaned the snow off, big mistake, on a nice summers evening with car doors being opened and closed, radio playing while you wash/clean the car will result in a flat battery in less than 30 minutes , lessen number one Disco's are battery hungry.
What battery charger are you using and how are you using it? 5 hours is not enough to charge a Disco battery unless you have a 20+amp battery charger of the correct type, i.e. Ctek.
Edit 5 amp charger for 2 hours won't fully charge it, leave it on all night, I charge mine up 2/3 nights a week through the tow socket while the weather is like it is, stop start driving everything electric on, heated seats, Windows back and front, lights, FBH twice possibly 3 times a day.
Have you a fridge in the central cubby box switched on.- they are battery killers.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
Last edited by M3DPO on 3rd Mar 2018 5:36 pm. Edited 3 times in total
3rd Mar 2018 5:02 pm
Henda
Member Since: 05 May 2016
Location: Gateshead
Posts: 473
I changed my battery and like dsl said should be running at 15ish when running
My problem is I've lost key fob locking
Good luckAll transmission oil replaced
3 flash indicators
All timing belts changed
EPB serviced
De cat fitted
Wind deflectors
De-tango done
Tints fitted
Egr blanked
3rd Mar 2018 5:03 pm
Redline
Member Since: 20 Jan 2018
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 141
It's a CTEK MX5 - Not the best charger for this but it's one I got to keep my BMW Z4 3.0 charged up.
Have put it on overnight to see what it registers tomorrow. Speed of charge isn't an issue then and I hope the processor decides correctly when it is charged.
12.4V is about 75% charged. It was down again to 12.55V just now.
I would have thought if you've got a car pulling lots of amps that the alternator wouldn't be able to maintain its no load voltage, so 12.9V didn't seem too bad. I'd expect any power source to drop under full load. It isn't a constant voltage source, but, if you reckon it should maintain a much higher voltage then maybe there is a problem elsewhere.
The battery is a Bosch S5 95Ah 800CCA. The original was an OEM 95Ah 950CCA battery.
Appreciate they are not fully charged when you get them. I charged it overnight a day or two after getting it.
The car is cranking OK so am not immediately concerned about that aspect.
Might have to get a MX25 I guess.
Anyway I'll be getting a new battery Tuesday - it will be fully charged before it goes in.Current : Discovery 4 HSE (2012 spec)
Current : BMW Z4 20i MSport
Current : BWM Z4 3.0SI Sport Auto
Previous : Freelander 2 HSE
3rd Mar 2018 5:43 pm
Redline
Member Since: 20 Jan 2018
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 141
BTW - The fridge isn't on. Usually switch the heated screens off as soon as they are clear and only the drivers seat on for a couple of minutes max. Have been trying to manage the current drain to see if that has had any effect - it seems not.Current : Discovery 4 HSE (2012 spec)
Current : BMW Z4 20i MSport
Current : BWM Z4 3.0SI Sport Auto
Previous : Freelander 2 HSE
3rd Mar 2018 5:46 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73121
The alternator should be able to hold a decent voltage (14.something) with everything on, then it's running the car's needs and replacing the charge in the battery from starting. If it's dropping down to 12.9V that means it can't keep up with demand and is not a happy bunny.
3rd Mar 2018 5:50 pm
Sloss
Member Since: 18 Aug 2013
Location: Aberdeenish
Posts: 1691
I agree with Des, my alternator shows 14.5-7 with lots on, so yours is not coping
However my FBH only works intermittently over the 4 years I've had my D4. I tell myself it doesn't matter but secretly I'd like it to work Stew,
2010 D4 gone but I really loved it
Went back to Merc - C350 AMG
Last edited by Sloss on 3rd Mar 2018 5:57 pm. Edited 1 time in total
3rd Mar 2018 5:56 pm
Redline
Member Since: 20 Jan 2018
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 141
If need be I'll get some diagnostic kit with logging on it from the techies at work to monitor the voltage at and current flowing into/out the battery.Current : Discovery 4 HSE (2012 spec)
Current : BMW Z4 20i MSport
Current : BWM Z4 3.0SI Sport Auto
Previous : Freelander 2 HSE
3rd Mar 2018 5:57 pm
Redline
Member Since: 20 Jan 2018
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 141
OK - Am getting the message.
I'll ask them to get an alternator in for Tuesday and have it changed.Current : Discovery 4 HSE (2012 spec)
Current : BMW Z4 20i MSport
Current : BWM Z4 3.0SI Sport Auto
Previous : Freelander 2 HSE
3rd Mar 2018 5:59 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73121
I've just read that to SWMBO and she says I'm a bully. Sorry.
I'm just going by what happened to my D3 before the battery died, then the alternator died and took the new battery with it. Hey, ho it's only money.
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, lessen number one Disco's are battery hungry.
