Member Since: 10 Jan 2018
Location: Wolverhampton
Posts: 3
Battery light fault
Hi folks,
Just thought I would share my experiences with the group. I purchased my Freelander a couple of weeks ago ( 2008 “S” model with HST body kit) and it had an unusual fault whereby the battery light would go out on startup but then come back on and stay on after around 20 seconds. Following advice from other members on the forum, I checked the charging rate and confirmed the alternator was working, so set about checking the blue communication wire from the alternator which commonly breaks or corrodes underneath the fuel filter. I did the job this morning, and after removing the fuel filter, it’s protective metal shield and a small plastic shield underneath the filter, I was able to see the spot where the wire was routed underneath a power steering pipe and had rubbed through, and corroded leaving a green residue on the insulation of the cable.
It was a bit of a fiddle to get to the affected part of the wire, but still definitely possible for a home diy’er. I was amazed when I cut the wire off from the point where it enters the main loom and checked the damaged part of the wire. The insulation had rubbed though in one small spot, then corrosion had set in and the wire had completely rotted away, just leaving a green powder for about a 6mm stretch of the cable. I managed to strip back the wire to clean copper strands and solder the wire back onto the original wire just before it joins the main loom and protect with heat shrink.
Unfortunately I did not think to take photos as I was stripping it down but took a few photos of the repaired wire which I hope may help others find the fault on their cars.
Hope this helps someone, if there are any questions please drop me a message.
Cheers,
Martin.
27th Jan 2018 2:44 pm
Greybeard
Member Since: 10 Aug 2010
Location: E Sussex
Posts: 157
That is really useful Martin, thank you. Although I have no problems currently, I will have a look at that wire when I do my next fuel filter change.
27th Jan 2018 4:48 pm
Steve D
Member Since: 19 Jan 2013
Location: Essexshire
Posts: 4109
Quite a common fault on these cars. Been reported on here many times before.
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27th Jan 2018 2:44 pm
