Member Since: 14 Sep 2020
Location: Scotland
Posts: 4
Electric fault?
Hi I have a disco 3 56 plate. I had the starter replaced a month ago. Since then 4 times I have gone to start the vehicle and it has been completely dead. It has happened when I turned ignition off for a few seconds then went to restart it. No lights on dash , no starter click , no immobiliser light no central locking. Just dead. Funnily enough when I open and close door it then lights up dash but the radio/ clock trip etc are all reset. It then starts without issue. I have checked battery clamps which are tight. Concerned as it is likely not to light up one of the times. Any thoughts? Thanks James
14th Sep 2020 8:12 pm
Admirable
Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Fife
Posts: 1039
Earth straps?
14th Sep 2020 9:10 pm
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2463
Have you checked the battery terminals are down fully and tight
15th Sep 2020 5:12 am
Dondiddy
Member Since: 26 Dec 2019
Location: Hamilton
Posts: 309
I would be checking for loose/dirty connections at the starter and earth straps including the bodyside fixing point of the earth straps. Good luck!
15th Sep 2020 6:38 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10684
aja4x4 wrote:
Have you checked the battery terminals are down fully and tight
And earth from batt to inner wing while u are there.
15th Sep 2020 7:50 am
jmcarthur
Member Since: 14 Sep 2020
Location: Scotland
Posts: 4
Thanks that could well be the problem as it’s only started since the starter motor was changed. Is it difficult to get to the connections?
15th Sep 2020 3:24 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10684
loose connection at the starter won't stop dash lights coming on etc
15th Sep 2020 3:50 pm
jmcarthur
Member Since: 14 Sep 2020
Location: Scotland
Posts: 4
It goes completely dead as if there is no battery connected at all then it all comes back again as if by magic!!!!! As I said the battery terminals are tight. I will look at the earth wires too once I locate them. Very strange. Cheers
15th Sep 2020 4:59 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14136
Plus 1 what others have said ref earths
May i ask plse , Does it just do it when u open the drivers side
Long shot , but wonder if maybe as u open the door the door loom pulls on the connectors behind the drivers side footwell panel , or just the action of opening it
Think some of the connectors in the footwell go up to the instrument panel , maybe remove the footwell panel and move the wires of the connectors with the ign on to see if anything goes on/ off ,
Just a thought
Ps, check ur positive battery lead that goes into the fuse box , ensure the connection is sound
Last edited by gstuart on 15th Sep 2020 5:57 pm. Edited 1 time in total
15th Sep 2020 5:51 pm
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2463
Get someone to wiggle the battery terminals with the ignition on and watch the dash, i have had a battery terminal crack off inside the casing and it was a real pain to find.
15th Sep 2020 5:54 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14136
Great idea and indeed can be a right sod to sometimes find an issue , just thought about the positive lead where it connects to the fuse box
Also wonder if they washed it and got water into the ECM ??
15th Sep 2020 6:02 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14136
Couple of wiring diagrams, at least then if nothing works , can then use a multimeter
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
15th Sep 2020 6:16 pm
jmcarthur
Member Since: 14 Sep 2020
Location: Scotland
Posts: 4
Cheers for the replies . There does not seem to be any rhyme or reason for it. It did it again earlier. Turned ignition off then tried to turn it back on a few mins later and completely dead. Tried turning it, nothing, opened closed doors nothing, pressed central locking nothing then all of a sudden tried key in ignition again and it all lit up and vehicle started again with clock etc back at 00:00. No idea why.
15th Sep 2020 7:33 pm
Admirable
Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Fife
Posts: 1039
The next time this happens connect one jump lead (red or black) to the negative post on the battery and to a good earth point on the engine or the body
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