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Tufty

Member Since: 27 Nov 2020
Location: Near Guildford
Posts: 19

Intermittent battery warning light TD5

Hi All,

This is my first post, but I have been lurking around for a while, picking up all the great information on this site! I have a blue 05 SWB TD5 County which I have already done various mods to including fitting a new radio, a slick shift, LOF clutch spring (that was frustrating as hell even though I followed the great advice here, but it has made a huge difference so worth the effort!) and refurbed the rear cross member and front bumper with Buzzweld. Lots of other little things too. Loving it so far, but there is always something to fix.

2 things next on my list are fitting the mantec wolf wheel carrier but first I have an intermittent battery warning light issue. I replaced the battery a month ago when the alternator was tested and seemed fine. I am keeping it on trickle charge until I need it but when I do drive it sometimes the light stays on straight away, other times it goes off as normal and then comes back on after about 10 mins and then may go off again a little later. I have tested it with a multimeter which shows 14v ignition off straight after unplugging the trickle charger and then it drops to around 12.2v once the engine has been running a few mins. It sounds like the alternator has gone but I thought if that were the case why is the battery light not on all the time? I was going to take a look at the alternator to see if there is any obvious loose connection but embarrassingly I am not sure where it is!

Any advice always greatly received!

5th Apr 2021 8:01am

roel

Member Since: 08 Aug 2009
Location: Lelystad
Posts: 2039

I think your brushes of the alternator are worn and/or sticky. Roel

1984 90 2.5 na Diesel - RR V8 (1994-2001)
1997 Camel Trophy Discovery 300TDI (2001-2009)
2005 G4 Discovery III 4.4 V8 (2008-2018) It's gone but it still hurts.
2003 90 Td5 (2009-now)

5th Apr 2021 12:45pm

Tufty

Member Since: 27 Nov 2020
Location: Near Guildford
Posts: 19

Thanks Roel, I now have a friend looking at it tomorrow so I will mention that!

5th Apr 2021 4:50pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17363

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

On the TD5 the vacuum pump for the brake servo is attached to the front of the alternator and it is a fairly common problem for the seals to fail allowing oil to leak from the vac pump into the alternator, forming a horrible gritty gungy mess which causes accelerated brush and slip ring wear. As the alternator starts to fail, you will initially get an intermittent warning light, then a complete loss of alternator output. It would be worth checking for this (look for oily yuk all over the alternator).

Sadly it doesn't seem possible to get the parts to overhaul a TD5 alternator in the UK (slip rings and brushes, etc) nor the seals for the vac pump, so total replacement is usually the only answer.

5th Apr 2021 7:21pm

Tufty

Member Since: 27 Nov 2020
Location: Near Guildford
Posts: 19

Thank you Blackwolf, this is really helpful. I had hoped it might not be terminal as the problem is intermittent, but I feared it may be!

5th Apr 2021 9:52pm

familymad

Member Since: 13 Dec 2011
Location: Bucks
Posts: 3481

2016 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black

https://www.unitexchange.com/

Have used this lot from S1 through to TDCI and they are old skool brilliant. Normally have a refurb starter or alternator on the shelf, but if not rebuild in less than a week. 1951 80" S1 2.0
1995 110 300TDI
1995 90 300TDI

6th Apr 2021 7:15am

Tufty

Member Since: 27 Nov 2020
Location: Near Guildford
Posts: 19

Thanks familymad, I will look into this.

6th Apr 2021 8:57am

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