I got in my 2003 V8 Vogue this evening and after starting and setting off, I noticed that the dashboard lights seemed dimmer than normal even though switched up full. I then noticed that the battery symbol was coming on then going off and seemed to become brighter when accelerating but when braking or sitting in traffic the battery light was going off. After arriving at my destination 15 minutes later, I switched off and HDC inactive was showing in message centre. Car wouldn't start. I left it for 30 minutes and then it restarted but had some dashboard lights flashing and the air suspension inactive message. Battery light also lights up when accelerating. When I arrived home and switched off, I had HDC inactive, air suspension inactive and trans failsafe mode on message centre and no lights on the suspension switch.

I don't understand why the battery light should be coming on as I had a new Varna battery fitted less than 6 months ago but this seems like the most plausible reason for the messages, don't you think? I have recently had a new seal fitted to the front of the crankshaft, the low coolant warning message switched off using a fault code reader (coolant level not going down despite check coolant level message), oil changed and some rear suspension bushes replaced - so nothing to interfere with the battery. Do you think my battery needs charging or could it be something else? My mechanic is coming over in the morning to have a look.

I did a search and read most of the posts but they seem to focus on a td6.

Regards,

Steve

Sounds like a dying alternator .

Second that....alternator Current Fleet:-
2018 Discovery 5 3.0 HSE
2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrack
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8
1993 Defender 90 200TDI Pickup

Gone - not forgotten
2016 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue SE
2012 L322 4.4 Westminster
2004 L322 4.4 V8 Autobiography LE
2000 P38 RR 4.0 HSE (ex Clarkson test car)