Battery Drain on P38 DSE

Hi, Can anyone please assist? I replaced the battery on my 1996 P38 with a new one (£110.00) only to have it drain completely within 10 days only using the car very occasionally. The radio ceased to work prior to me replacing the battery now there is a continous 'buzzing from the passenger side door area which persists even when the radio is turned off and the ignition key taken out. Can anyone please help?
Dic Price

The buzzing noise is probably coming through from the amplifier. It’s those P38 Electrical gremlins again.
The Battery drain issues:
Becm not going to sleep
Becm constantly waking up due to stray signals
wiring faults often caused by damp
Faulty Door Lock actuators


If you are any good with a volt meter there is also a video to do a current draw test or sleep test.
YouTube - P38RANGEROVERCOM's Channel

As a quick check for the stray signals you can remove the Blue single wire connection to the RF receiver which is behind the driver’s side boot panel. Fold down the rear seat on the driver’s side. You will see a Phillips screw to the left of the seat latch. Undo it and lift the plastic shelf up. It is easier to take the connection out if you undo the receiver first. There is a little tang on the plug which makes it difficult to remove.
Your remote will still work, all this test does is limit the amount of interference the receiver can pick up.
As for the buzzing it is probably the wiring or the Becm itself.

There is some info to read through if you click the link below. It covers some basic checks and tests to do with your fault.

DIC PRICE said:

Hi, Can anyone please assist? I replaced the battery on my 1996 P38 with a new one (£110.00) only to have it drain completely within 10 days only using the car very occasionally. The radio ceased to work prior to me replacing the battery now there is a continous 'buzzing from the passenger side door area which persists even when the radio is turned off and the ignition key taken out. Can anyone please help?
Dic Price

Click to expand...

I would try completely unplugging and removing the radio to see if the buzzing stops. I had this annoying buzz on and off until it eventually became permanent when my radio failed.

As your vehicle is a 96 model I definitely agree with the above of taking the aerial lead off the RF receiver. Once this is done, see how things go for a while, you will probably find your battery drain issue resolved.

-Wills