Starting / battery probs

Hi all,
New to the forum - so hi everyone.
I have a Freelander 2 GS diesel.
Been pretty bomb proof so far but have had a problem in the last few days.
Was running / starting fine but failed to start yesterday.
Wouldn't turn over, a few clicks and dash showed HDC error briefly.
Not even enough juice to run the lights etc, even the interior light was very dim.

Tried to charge in situ, using a mains charger for a hour or so but no change.
Tried a jump from another vehicle and also no change.
Took the battery out and charged for three hours, replaced and started ok.

I have noticed that the alarm indicator light flashes when the car is locked, alarm set. It also flashes when I unlock the car with the fob, and stays flashing until I start the car?? Pretty sure this didn't happen before?. Thought that the alarm light went off when the doors were opened with the fob.

Could the starting issue be related to the alarm light - or am I losing it completely?

Thanks for any help.
S

What year is your Freelander 2?

Hi,
Thanks for replying.
It's an 07.
S

Sorry, two more question for you....

1. How thick were the cables on the jump leads (were the cables so thick that they were very difficult/almost impossible to bend, or could they be fairly easily rolled up when you'd finished with them)?

2. Were there any other warning lights lit when the car was running?

John

Hi,
I have some heavy duty cables, thick as my finger.
No other lights at all.

I finally removed the battery and charged it .
Car started when refitted.

Have noticed the alarm light flashes when car is unlocked and alarm off?
Also, radio buttons seem to glow with radio, ignition off and key out.
Only noticeable in the dark. Is this maybe the source of a drain?

Thx
S

I was hopeful about the jump leads, you're probably familiar with some of the thin leads that people use that have no ability to pass any meaningful current!

Unfortunately, I don't have one of the earlier cars any more, so I can't go out and check if the alarm light stays on like that, but what you've described with the radio sounds like a possible power drain. However, if you've had the same cold snap that we've had where you are, it's usually the time when you find out that an old battery is finally failing. Unless your battery is less than 2 years old, I wouldn't start electrical fault finding without having swapped the battery out first.

Good luck.