Hello all,
I'm sure this has been covered several times before but just wondered what peoples thoughts are.
My 08 reg occasionally won't start, sometimes I just get a click (I don't know if that's relay or solenoid) other times engine will spin for half a second then stop. First time it did it I put charger on it and it said battery low, charged battery and all seemed well. When it happened again I did the same. 3rd time I put a new battery on and all was ok for a couple of months, now it's doing it again. Iv'e just put the charger on again and it says low.
I'm guessing it's either the starter or alternator but I don't want to buy either until i'm sure. (The old battery is in the garage and seems to be holding charge ok)
Has anyone had similar problem and how was it resolved please.
Thanks Mal

What you are describing are the classic symptoms of a loose battery terminal connection or ground connection from one of the main battery leads. I would start by removing the battery terminals at the battery, cleaning them thoroughly with a wire brush, and reinstalling the battery clamps making sure that they are firmly tightened. If that doesn’t do it, then I would suspect a bad battery lead… Most likely being the negative one - one that leads to ground.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications...ttachments

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic32397.html?highlight=extra+earth

Poor earthing is known problem on older FL2s.

Also poor charging -- see 'thin blue wire' posts.

If you use search, there are plenty of posts. Some are very useful, but as you can see, not everyone gives us a final reply with what they did to cure problem successfully. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 77k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)

Fit the extra earth lead as found on later cars 🚗 FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

I own a 2010 TD4 HSE automatic. Love the car. But - every year maybe two or three times a year we get in and the battery is stone dead. The car is in regular use so it’s not short journeys. I have changed the alternator, battery and added additional earth straps. Yesterday it happened again!

I read in another thread that the FL2 takes 20 - 30 minutes to shut down into low power mode? Is there something that randomly doesn’t shut down and therefore drains the battery? If so what is it?

It’s going in for it’s annual service next week so would like to direct the garage towards a likely culprit.

Any advice welcome.

There were a few software updates for such situations:
1. It seems that the infotainment control module (ICM) doesn't shutdown correctly when exiting vehicle (Technical bulletin 391)
2. It seems that, from time to time, the smart charging is stuck in "Low charge" mode below 13 volts. (Special Service Message 61477)

Tell them to update the ICM and BCM to the latest software level.

Many thanks for the information! The car goes in for service next week. I have asked them to look at the software you mentioned and I will report back.

Well, it came back and the garage say they checked but 'nothing found'... so I'm non the wiser. How can I check the software levels myself and how do I know if they are the latest?

Sounds like what I had on my last FL2 57 plate. When it just wouldn't start and just click and not start. Use to tap the starter motor and all be well again, turned out to be carbon build up in the starter. Friend of mine a auto electrician service the the starter motor....just a clean and changed the bushes. MY13 HSE LUX Aintree Green
MY57 SE Stornoway Grey. Gone
Nissan X Trail
Discovery V8 LPG
Series II Land Rover

I had exactly what you are describing. Stripped and cleaned the starter and solenoid which improved things but ended up replacing the whole unit and never had a problem since.

Just for the record, had about 110k on it at the time. Dorian Woolger
Amateur Call: 2E0FSI

Freelander 2 SE TD4 2.2 (Wife's car)

2016 Discovery 4 Graphite (Mine)
+ Remote for FBH, + Timed Climate, + Cubby Fridge, + ARB Compressor + Roof Ladder

I my case it is definitely a total flat battery syndrome.

How can I check if the ICM and BCM software is up-to-date?