[geomacl]

My DS is 2 years old this month and new when I bought it. Mostly journeys of around 20/40 miles or so with occasional 300+ trips. Since my last post I called LR Assistance and a technician did all the checks and found the Battery Mgt software was up to date BUT the Gateway module (which apparently is central to all electrical functions including controlling their shutdown when the vehicle is locked) required a software update. Following this the Low Battery message disappeared and the vehicle is now on trickle charge. He did hint that he felt the battery was probably faulty but until a battery failure message is specifically obtained on LRs analytical system, the battery can't be replaced under warranty??

 

[Mamil]

JLR clearly haven't got their smart charging algorithms right yet! The battery isn't getting properly charged, so shows symptoms of Stop/Start not working, and then low battery warnings, and eventually the battery will die from chronic undercharging.

Mine went through this slow death over a period of two and a half years, and eventually the dealer replaced the battery - not under warranty they were at pains to point out, as batteries aren't covered in the warranty. No, it was goodwill they said. Makes no difference to me - free is free!

Anyways the new battery started to show the same symptoms of undercharging after a month, so since then I've been hooking it up to a charger every few weeks to keep it healthy. I shouldn't have to, but if that's what it takes to avoid another battery dying prematurely then that's what I'm resigned to doing for the rest of the life of the car!

 

[geomacl]

That sums up my views also, Mamil. I will keep charging every month or so and then sell - no more DS's for me

 

[Barnsh]

Just to add to this thread , mine was finally traced to a bad engine earth , took me stamping my feet to get the master tech to look at it , faulty crimp on the end of the earth lead.

 

[geomacl]

It took me too to indulge in a lot of feet stamping, Barnish! Eventually got the electrics technician to visit me yesterday - fingers crossed he has sorted things out - removed and cleaned all battery connections ans updated Gateway software. The initial response of local dealer was very poor - they had 3 chances to sort out (2 days at a time) and just wanted to do the same again. LR central customer services very helpful

 

[Barnsh]

It took me too to indulge in a lot of feet stamping, Barnish! Eventually got the electrics technician to visit me yesterday - fingers crossed he has sorted things out - removed and cleaned all battery connections ans updated Gateway software. The initial response of local dealer was very poor - they had 3 chances to sort out (2 days at a time) and just wanted to do the same again. LR central customer services very helpful

Yep I had jag assist , who fitted new battery ( same system as DS with smart charging) , it went in to be checked as battery was only 4.3 volts. Got it back and it was fine for a few months , then the warnings came up again.
He suggested a crek charger, I told him the car had a fault , a few terse words later he cane back with his tail between his legs " faulty braiding cable clamp, new earth fitted and charging checking is spot on now after leaving fir 10 days.

 

[geomacl]

At the moment all systems working - even Stop/Start (failure of which is usually the first sign of a forthcoming problem). Fingers crossed that it works this time. I have a charger but don't see why I have to keep using this on a £40k car!!

 

[simonconway]

"Nice" to know I'm not alone with this problem.

Started last Thursday 12 days after the end of three year warranty. Took it for a one hour journry as recommended in the handbook but the problem was the same the following morning.
Dealership in Northampton was duly called and said they were not taking bookings till April as they were very busy but I could bring it down to them and they might have time to look it which I did. They have now got a new battery but they have not yet found time to fit it.

The level of service is really appaling and having today found this chat room I am seriously unhappy. It sounds like a "known fault" but nobody at the dealers mentioned that to me. Will a new battery fix it? I have my doubts on that one!

This is the fourth Landrover I have bought from this dealership but I am begining to think my love affair with Landrover is over.

The 15 year old Suzuki Jimny that we have for my wife to travel back and forwards to the yard where she keeps her horse has cost us nothing except the MOT charge for three yers and starts first time every time!

 

[El_Presidente]

Sadly I've got to add this one to my list... :roll:
66 plate 180 SE Tech, 2.5 years old, owned from new. Journeys are fairly mixed, quite a few are 5-10 miles, but at least once a week it gets a decent run of 30 miles+. Big trips every few months, driving for four hours+.

Never had a problem with low battery on my other cars, but then I haven't had bad service warnings; coolant level; fogged rear light lenses; air-con failure x 2; bonnet not closing; rattles/ticks x 4; on my other cars either. :evil:

 

[geonic]

...
The level of service is really appaling and having today found this chat room I am seriously unhappy. It sounds like a "known fault" but nobody at the dealers mentioned that to me. Will a new battery fix it? I have my doubts on that one!
...

A new battery fixed it on mine ... for the next 3 years maybe.

 

[geomacl]

It's now been 3 weeks since technician visited and updated Gateway (through which all electric gizmos go) software and cleaned all connections and (fingers crossed, touch wood) all seems fine. Stop/start working fine and no nasty messages on the screen!

 

[Natsweeb]

I had this on Wednesday and Land Rover Assist came out and checked and showed me that the battery (20 months old) was 100% good.
He then spent a while re-setting stuff and updating software. It was good for a day! Called them again and different technician came and said that he knew a different trick that was not i the official procedures and he would try that. It seems to be ok now but for how long?
This first started when the tailgate would not go up. Does anyone know if the button in the roof stops working when the Low Battery warning is lit up?
I am getting so frustrated with this car.

 

[El_Presidente]

Similar symptoms here. My tailgate works maybe 50% of the time right now. After an Easter break it will go in to LR. I was waiting to see if the MY17 recall includes mine as the TA is on the EU recall list. But now I don't want to risk it getting close to the end of warranty. Owners of premium motors shouldn't be left feeling like they can't trust their car or their manufacturer.

 

[geomacl]

My battery is still doing its job - 5 weeks after technician visited, reset Gateway software and re connected all battery connections, including the earth cable. Stop/start and tailgate working. Fingers still crossed!!

 

[geomacl]

Spoke too soon - dreaded "Low Battery etc" message came up at the weekend just as I was getting ready to head off for a few days break (first time this happened in Sept last year I was also getting ready to head off on a break). I find this totally unacceptable as I get no warning to enable me to charge the battery. First 18 months ownership no problem but now happening every 3 months or so. When I call the dealer I get a lecture about using my vehicle more as this will happen in any modern car which does a low mileage - due to sophisticated electronics. Either battery is replaced by LR or anther second hand LR Disco will be on the market. I've had enough!

 

[El_Presidente]

Dealer/LR statements about "your driving style", "not using it enough" are nonsense. Any car with stop/start and sophisticated 'always on' systems needs a highly robust, well designed battery and charging system. The stuff on the DS is just not up to the job, whereas lots of other 'modern cars' are fine.

 

[Ian_S]

First 18 months ownership no problem but now happening every 3 months or so.

Did the 18 months coincide with the cars first service? Or should I say 15 months?

It sounds like something is slow draining the battery, which will be made worse if you don't use it much, but that is only making the symptom worse, it's unlikely to be the cause. A new battery will probably suffer the same fate 3 month later.

The problem with modern cars is that they have more ECU's than Apollo 13, and if they don't report back to Houston with an error, then no-one wants to look any deeper.... A good auto electrician is probably needed but have no experience with them. Others may know of a decent firm?

 

[geomacl]

Thanks for feedback, Ian. First battery problem was 3 months before 1st service. The second time was just before scheduled service (3 months later) BUT after 1st service and battery check/reset, the next "failure" was only 6 weeks later!!! Only thing that I have permanently plugged in is my Ipod (for music) which I assume is not using power when ignition is off.?

 

[geomacl]

After two more Low Battery message episodes, I took my vehicle to the dealer first thing yesterday morning and demanded the issue be resolved. After a lecture from the service mgr about low mileage vehicles requiring regular charging, he run a bunch of tests and returned bearing a sliver of paper from his battery testing gizmo saying "Good Battery". To my mind 6 x Low Battery episodes since December 2018 may still spew out a "Good Battery" message BUT it's a crap vehicle and quite unacceptable for one costing over £40k.
He even had the audacity to inform me that LR salesmen were instructed to advise low mileage, new buyers to purchase a battery charger accessory!!!! I snuck over to his salesman who told me he'd never heard of this "guidance"
I've been in contact with LR Customer Service since the last 2 episodes - and they are a waste of time. The lady who was handling my case had no technical knowledge and would always talk to the local dealer before responding to me - only to regurgitate the same lecture.
Has anyone on this site ever seen any documented "guidance" re low mileage usage in any manual, brochure or any other written document from LR?
I dropped into a number of alternative SUV suppliers on my way home and am presently studying their brochures and online reviews.

 

[Guest]

Just a few thoughts based on other people's experiences:

1. Bad Earth.
2. Something drawing power (i.e. something not shutdown properly).
3. 3rd party installation e.g. Dashcam.