Disco 2 The end of the Disco ???

Last weekend we attempted to go camping in our lovely D2 TD5 ES but we had to be rescued from the M1 by the AA and relayed back to Lymington. Complete electrical failure. Almost nothing works. It turns out that the alternator had failed, boiled the battery dry and then popped everything. I've fitted a new battery but all the light bulbs are gone except the headlights (which do work). The wipers work but all the time! The screenwash jets work. and the car locks and unlocks from the remote (I'm amazed at that).

Nothing else I've tried so far functions. No seats, no windows, no dash lamps, no radio, no A/C and no cranking. When I connect my Hawkeye, it doesn't even come to life so I can't get any diagnostics. About a dozen fuses were popped and I've replaced them all in the engine bay and under the driver's side dash.

It's a pretty forlorn hope but are there any other fuses I can hunt down? I don't want to scrap her, she's been a fabulous car for six years now but I don't think I can face replacing all the controllers. Open to suggestions though. Any help appreciated.

Dont be too hasty to scrap what sounds like a good vehicle. Bear in mind that there are loads of these vehicles around and parts aren't exactly scarce - if it's new controllers you need, those can be had at breakers and on fleabay without having to take out a second mortgage.

My suggestion, start checking on your various earthing connections as possible culprits that may have taken the brunt of your alternator meltdown.

ifloochies said:

My suggestion, start checking on your various earthing connections as possible culprits that may have taken the brunt of your alternator meltdown.

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OK, Earth points - I can work round those. Engine bay first and then new the SLABS/BCU controllers, I guess.

I've got the RAVE circuit diagrams and good tools so I can be quite systematic about it.

Thank you!

Believe the D2 has fusible links, were they all OK?

Kev12 said:

Believe the D2 has fusible links, were they all OK?

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Yes, all test fine. All the ones I've found, anyway. All in the engine bay fuse box ????

I think so yeah. Your man for d2 electrics is @sierrafery

ECUs are cheap anyway off Ebay if needed.

Also check relays.

MJI said:

ECUs are cheap anyway off Ebay if needed.

Also check relays.

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Ditto, and can I just comment that isn't this just bloody typical of modern car electronics that it will warn you if your SRS or ACE is not working but will not warn you of a potentially disastrous meltdown caused by a faulty alternator? God I hate modern car electronics.

So I've pulled out the 150A fusible link to the alternator (fat lot of good that did !) and now the wipers have stopped working (ever) but the engine will crank. I've pulled out the connector to the ACE control unit under the glovebox and now F29 doesn't blow as soon as the ignition key is turned but still no Hawkeye comms. So TD5 ECU out and opened and two of the power MOSFETs are burnt out. Both IRL540N as far as I can see, though one is too badly singed to read the full device ID. I'll replace those and see if that moves me forward.

Earth points seem OK. Central locking works from dash button too and SRS warning light is on when ignition is on. Either clues or red herrings!

Good luck, sounds like a reasonable approach.
We'll know who to come to for electrical advice time you've worked your way through it

Hi a bit of encouragement if so much has stopped working normally easier to find than if just one or two things, try making a list of all that works and all that do not the check wiring diagram is there a common point? for things that are working, it is easy to think it is a major bit but if removing the ACE control fuse stops a fuse blowing then you have a point to start, I would also look at the wiring loom is there any signs of damage, cables melted , good luck

Best of luck changing the MOSFETs. Hopefully their going down hasn't damaged anything else.......

So, MOSFETs back in, ECU re-assembled, re-connected and slipped back into place (drop of black oil in the red connector, ho hum). Fingers crossed, ignition on, crank... BANG, smoke, MOSFETs gone again. So i'm giving up, donating the landie to a local TD5 owner who can use it to keep his alive and buying another one. Probably fit a volt meter too!

Thanks for the suggestions and support all!

Oh, sorry to hear you couldn't get it sorted!
Would you be getting another one then?

Yes, same again. Glutton for punishment? Actually, I can't think of anything I'd prefer !

BoldreChris said:

Yes, same again. Glutton for punishment? Actually, I can't think of anything I'd prefer !

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Nope, perfectly understood.
Have had the same one for just under a decade now, time in which many other vehicles have come and gone through the household.
Now we keep her parked most days and call on her for the extended road trips - she's the kids' favourite too.

Can't help but think that this would have been less of an issue in a D1 300tdi.
There has been a bit of a discussion on Voltmeters elsewhere this week and I am seriously thinking of fitting one to mine as well. Can't hurt.
So sorry to hear of the final demise, but don't blame you. Best of luck with getting another one, at least they are relatively cheap at the moment.

It sounds as though the MOSFETs did take something else with them. Why not go for a replacement ecu - plenty on ebay for under £200. Seems better than scrapping it.

Or you could buy a scrap Disco, gone to heaven through a rusted chassis, take the whole loom and all the other bits and bobs off it, put them into yours, then scrap the rest of the scrap Disco.
Discovery and Land Rover breakers will probably sell you a whole loom too for not necessarily too much dosh. The reason I am saying this is cos you know your own Disco inside and out, a "new" one will come with its own set of problems that you have probably already dealt with on yours. Do you really want to revisit old problems on a new one?

I am sad to dispose of this one but the sheer cost and time involved in restoring it is beyond what I can commit to. It will need these items, at least:
ECU
BCM
ACE CU
SLABS CU
Radio, CD changer
A/C controller
Sunroof controller ?
Full set of bulbs
And possibly motors for seats, windows, washers, etc.
Injectors ?
Alternator
And I'd have to recode the BCM for the keys and get the TD5 Alive tune back into the ECU, calibrate the SLABS ride height, etc. etc.
It's a complicated beast! And then which one would you plug into the loom (new loom ?) first to see if there's any chance of a resurrection?
There are some good TD5 Landmarks out there while manual ES Premiums seem very rare. The right one will come to me...