Freelander 2 (LR2) Red Battery Light

Landy-Max · Jan 16, 2020

Ok.... this is odd.

I went away and didn't use the FL2 for 3 weeks, a buddy started and drove it once in this time. All ok.

I started it Tuesday and drove to Reading from Nottingham, 130 odd miles. Right at the start - after 1 min - the red battery light comes on.

I keep going, in the dark the whole way. No issues. Get there. Stop car. Restart - wait 30 secs - light comes on.

I work all day. Get in car, at night. Lights in - short journey. Same thing.

Over night, starts.... same thing. End of day, drive in dark, lights on. Same thing.

Finally, now, 5am - today. Starts. Same thing.

What is going on? I’ll get a multimeter on it tonight, the battery is 18 months old. I had to be charging. The belt could be loose?

I’m at a loss.

Any thoughts?

thx

M

GrumpyGel · Jan 16, 2020

My understanding of that light, and this may be old skool, is that its lit when there is more leccy being used by the car than it is generating - ie it is draining the battery.

If that is the case then it must be a slow drain or else it would have depleted the battery to a state that it wouldn't start.

I'd suspect the belt or alternator, maybe battery.

Probably worth having a read of the manual.

Maybe worth reading the diagnostics.

Probably worth taking advice from an auto-electrician over me.

Probably worth waiting for someone with a bit more knowledge

Jayridium · Jan 16, 2020

Gel is right, red bettery light essentially denotes the car is running off the charge in its battery rather than from power generated by the alternator, so you've either got a slipping belt or a failing alternator.

Alternators usually fail at the diode pack, they produce alternating current, and run that through a diode to convert it to DC, if the diode pack is failing then more of the negative voltage side of the waveform of their AC current is allowed to cancel the positive side of the waveform resulting in less output.

Typically if the alternator belt had failed or was slipping you'd have ran out of electricity while driving the car and ground to a complete halt.

You could confirm this diagnosis by verifying the efficacy of the alterntor with a simple test with a multimeter

open bonnet
check battery voltage
start car
check battery voltage again - it should be higher than before

Usually an alternator produces between 13.4v & 14.6v, battery is usually anywhere from 12.1v to 13.2v. If the voltage on the second check is the same or lower than the battery voltage on the first check, you're looking at an anternator issue.

Landy-Max · Jan 16, 2020

I’ll read the manual.
My mechanic also suggested it’s overcharging.
He’s going to test battery and alternator tomorrow.

I can’t see it being that the LR is using too much - as light comes on - 30 secs after starting.....
I understand the balance of alternator over battery - I'm just amazed its run this long if there's a fault.
I thought maybe a fuse or bad earth? - Maybe.

Jayridium · Jan 16, 2020

If its trickling out some voltage, but not a full 13.2-14.4v then it will kind of sustain the battery's charge level. However were it a fnapped belt then it would produce nothing and your car would have cut out on the first journey in the opening post.

kernowsvenski · Jan 16, 2020

Sounds to me like an alternator on it's way out gradually.

freelance · Jan 16, 2020

Regulator ( rectifier )faulty on back of alternator

Landy-Max · Jan 17, 2020

freelance said:
Regulator ( rectifier )faulty on back of alternator

What does that do?

Either way - I have had the system tested (lights on / off etc..) - Battery / Alternator - all is working fine.
Maybe wiring issue?
Auto Electrician might be needed.
I was thinking of resetting (?) the system - unplug the battery for 20 mins....
Any issues with doing that?

Landy-Max · Jan 17, 2020

Thought it could be this: https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic14252.html

It isn't - (same as a Transit Van) my BLUE wire is A-OK

freelance · Jan 17, 2020

Jayridium said:
Gel is right, red bettery light essentially denotes the car is running off the charge in its battery rather than from power generated by the alternator, so you've either got a slipping belt or a failing alternator.
Nicely explained
Alternators usually fail at the diode pack, they produce alternating current, and run that through a diode to convert it to DC, if the diode pack is failing then more of the negative voltage side of the waveform of their AC current is allowed to cancel the positive side of the waveform resulting in less output.

Typically if the alternator belt had failed or was slipping you'd have ran out of electricity while driving the car and ground to a complete halt.

You could confirm this diagnosis by verifying the efficacy of the alterntor with a simple test with a multimeter

open bonnet

check battery voltage

start car

check battery voltage again - it should be higher than before

Usually an alternator produces between 13.4v & 14.6v, battery is usually anywhere from 12.1v to 13.2v. If the voltage on the second check is the same or lower than the battery voltage on the first check, you're looking at an anternator issue.

I

Freelander 2 (LR2) Red Battery Light

Landy-Max

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GrumpyGel

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Jayridium

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Landy-Max

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Jayridium

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kernowsvenski

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freelance

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Landy-Max

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Landy-Max

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freelance

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