2002 L322 Electrical Faults

Hello all,

I’ve been told now that this is the correct section to post in; I accidentally posted in the new members section saying hi!

I have two electrical faults with my L322

The main one is, the rear window defroster is inoperative (which in the UK isn’t handy this time of year); now I’m not the biggest on electrics, but the relay is clicking, and the fuse seems to be ok. I’ve tried swapping the upper tailgate for another and still no signs of operation. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

The other fault which is slightly more annoying, is that the alarm seems to go off very often now, almost everyday but the odd part about it is that it only seems to go off at around 1:30pm-2pm; and that’s the only real info I can give on that fault! Any info or ideas again would be appreciated.

Battery is only 3 months old Exide battery due to previous battery drain that was a bad negative terminal to the battery causing it to not go to sleep.


Thanks everyone!

Have you checked for voltage at the window heater connections?

Try disconnecting the bonnet switch - this is a common cause of random alarm activiation.

Hi @Saint.V8, was hoping you’d reply! Voltage is at the ends of the tailgate yes.

I will try unplugging the bonnet switch; this is what lots of people said but I didn’t think it would set it off at a certain time unless it was some sort of weird coincidence!

Regarding the tailgate, I have less than a volt going through the tailgate strips with the heater defroster on. Thanks

As saint said you need to check for power at the window itself and how do you know the replacement one is ok. Never bother with rear screen heater myself cant see much out the back window with three head rests in the way I just use the door mirrors.

Dabbster said:

Hi @Saint.V8, was hoping you’d reply! Voltage is at the ends of the tailgate yes.

I will try unplugging the bonnet switch; this is what lots of people said but I didn’t think it would set it off at a certain time unless it was some sort of weird coincidence!

Regarding the tailgate, I have less than a volt going through the tailgate strips with the heater defroster on. Thanks

Click to expand...

That might suggest the relay contacts that operate the rear screen are faulty. Try swapping the relay.

Checked power to tailgate today, no power; fuse number 8 & 9 in the rear fuse box were the wrong way around! Fuse 8 should be empty and fuse 9 should be 30A!! Swapped back round and power! Unplugged bonnet switch, will see if goes off today but I have tested the bonnet switch and it appears to be working. Will run a diagnostics test on it today and let you know the faults in the EWS; I’m sure it has a control unit faulty fault

Wow that makes a change a free fix on a range rover

I’ve just opened my spare wheel well to find a water build up now; any way round it?

Dabbster said:

I’ve just opened my spare wheel well to find a water build up now; any way round it?

Click to expand...

Drill a hole to let it out. They all leak and it usually wrecks the electronics behind the trim in the nearside of the boot.

Datatek said:

Drill a hole to let it out. They all leak and it usually wrecks the electronics behind the trim in the nearside of the boot.

Click to expand...

@Datatek it looks like it’s coming from the tow bar sort of area as it’s coming from the side of the well that faces the rear bumper. The carpet is dry and the seals seem to not be leaking from anywhere

Dabbster said:

@Datatek it looks like it’s coming from the tow bar sort of area as it’s coming from the side of the well that faces the rear bumper. The carpet is dry and the seals seem to not be leaking from anywhere

Click to expand...

Have a look behind the trim in the boot nearside, I'd be surprised if things are not wet in there.

Datatek said:

Have a look behind the trim in the boot nearside, I'd be surprised if things are not wet in there.

Click to expand...

@Datatek absolutely no water in Nearside behind trim very dry; however just pulled plug off Audio Amp and it is very very corroded! But no water in Nearside!!

Water runs round rear tailgate then tracks across and lays on top of bumper/tow bar mounting, best cure is remove bumper/tow bar and seal inbetween each and the body before refitting, in the mean time if you lift up the spare wheel there is a rubber bung you can remove to at least let the water out for now. Did mine a while ago because of same problem.

Dabbster said:

@Datatek absolutely no water in Nearside behind trim very dry; however just pulled plug off Audio Amp and it is very very corroded! But no water in Nearside!!

Click to expand...

That will be caused by condensation from the water in the spare wheel well.