morning all, new to this forum having just treated myself to a TDV8 and looking for some advice on the fridge. It powers up (blue light on the rocker switch lights up) but does not cool down at all, drove from Southampton to Antwerp with it on and nothing.....had plenty of time to cool down! Have checked the battery voltage and that is steady at 13.6 with the engine running. Is there a relay that could be down stopping power getting to the unit or anything else I should check? Have also noticed when the ignition only is on the stereo will not go very loud - it says power save on the display, is that just to keep the amp on the sub from draining power or is there likely to be a 'connection' between the two things as a wider electrical issue.

Any advice welcome

Cheers

To have two electrical issues seems to indicte a wider problem...?

13.6 is a lower voltage with the engine running in the 14v's is more healthy charge, I think 14.8 and above can fry the battery

Alternator problems are common though. Mike

2014 Facelift Discovery

Alex.

When Engine is not running, You will get the message "Low Power Mode" on the stereo.
That is because the stereo uses a lot of amperes when running, so therefore You
can not turn the volume up to high.

Regarding the voltage, It seems a Little low, but it depends on from where You
measure it. Check at the connectors for the battery, that gives a accurate reading.


Rgds

Uffe As a rule, I always resist temptations,
unless they are irresistible.
My Ride: 2006 RRS HSE TVD6 Java Black/Cherry Woods with HST factoryfitted pack.

Thanks both, ran again just now and direct from the terminals had 14.2v with the engine running dropping down to just about 12v with headlights on and ignition only so I think the battery is pretty shot.

Useful to know about the stereo message, hopefully the fridge will start behaving if the battery is replaced.

Cheers again for the advice.

Alex

Welcome; nice to see another TDV8 owner.

In my TDV8, if I switch on the fridge but the car decides the battery is too low to run it then the light in the rocker switch does not illuminate. If I try it later after the car's been running for a while then the light comes on and my drinks are nicely chilled.

If your rocker switch is lighting up but the fridge doesn't cool then maybe you have an issue with the fridge Used ones come up regularly on eBay.

I'd recommend more thoroughly testing your battery before replacing it as they are eye-wateringly expensive i.e. about £250 plus. Try giving it a complete charge disconnected and leave it to stabilise for 12 hours then check the voltage is up around 12.5 or more then leave for another 12 hours or more and if the voltage has dropped by more than 0.1 volts it is probably on the way out. Measurements should be done at the same temperature. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

Thanks Paddi, had the battery tested at my local garage and they confirmed my fears - knackered!

Eurocar parts have a sale on at the moment and are doing a £180 Bosh 110Ah for £127 so am off to pick one up tomorrow! Light on the fridge always comes on which is worrying.....sure it is working sometimes though, just not always. Wonder if turning the fridge on before engine start with low battery voltage means the drop sensor is stopping the fridge but if i turn fridge on after engine start it is happy to work, not checked that thinking about it. Start with battery change and see what happens.

Have to say I am very pleased with the car, great to drive and goes like stink. have been reading arround on this forum and it seems like a really useful place for help so sure I will be back on!

Hi,
Four things to say about your last post:

1. Garages ALWAYS tell you your battery is knackered because they want to sell you a new one. So learn how to test it yourself.

2. "Wonder if turning the fridge on before engine start with low battery voltage means the drop sensor is stopping the fridge but if i turn fridge on after engine start it is happy to work" Mine sometimes does this and I have a new battery.

3. If you really need a new battery as you are in Southampton why not contact Steve at site sponsor Advanced Motor Factors who are based there: http://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/ He will give you a better deal than Euro Car Prats

4. There are some who believe that it is important to only fit Land Rover branded batteries to avoid upsetting the sophisticated electronics and battery management system. The current one is now the AGM type which is why it is so expensive but it should last longer than the older conventional type. The original battery is 95 AH; going to a higher capacity is not usually a good idea as it puts a greater demand on the alternator. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

Hi Paddi

Just had a long chat with Steve and he can supply the correct Bosch for much less so thanks for the tip. Not sure where I got that I needed a 110Ah from, as you say that is not the current fit.

Have done a test myself before taking it into the garage, 11.99V when sat engine off running the headlights, drop from 12.5 before the lights went on, up to 14.2 with alternator charging. Going to check again tonight, Steve said he had a gathering tomorrow morning so I will take it down there and sure we can sort it out.

Cheers for the help, might be worth pulling the fridge out anyway to see if there is anything else that could be causing a problem.

Cheers

Alex C