Good morning everyone, a couple of days ago my responsible adult came to start the RR, she unlocked as normal got in the car, inserted the ignition key and nothing….no clicking to suggest the steering lock was undoing and no radio, she got out of the car went to lock it, and the central locking wouldn’t work.
She rang me at work I suggested it was probably the battery although it’s less than 2 yrs old.

So today I’m off, I tested the key fob with my RF tester it shows 100% so not the key fob battery or switch not working, got the multimeter out the main battery which is a 020 was showing 11.52, so got the little booster pack out, connected it up, radio came on (it had lost its station and just static was coming through the speakers, inserted the key the ignition unlocked key turned RR started first time, unplugged the booster left it running for a couple of minutes, everything fine.

Turned the ignition off, and there was a proper mechanical “thud” then I started to notice white smoke coming from the battery area, ran to get spanner’s, uncoupled positive then negative, but the terminals weren’t hot or anything suggesting a short on the battery, as I was unbolting the terminal the smoke appeared to be coming up from behind/underneath the battery between the firewall and the battery.

Took the battery off, undid the 4bolts on the battery tray, but can’t get the tray out, to have a proper look.

So how do I get the tray out?

What do we think has burnt out/shorted?

Where should I be looking and for what?

My responsible adult wants to know if I’ve killed her RR?

Any responses greatfully received.

Tiprat. Borrowed Grey 2002 3d 204k for a year
Now own a 2007 Java black Vogue SE 3.6TDV8 160k

Sure it wasn't the FBH? - what did the smoke smell like? 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Thanks for the speedy reply, it was white smoke and now you’ve said that no real burning, plastic, acrid smell, so maybe…..
I’ve/we’ve never used the FBH, so why would it suddenly come on?
That said my other half has said that over the last couple of days she had smelled some burning but nothing of concern like an acrid smell….. Borrowed Grey 2002 3d 204k for a year
Now own a 2007 Java black Vogue SE 3.6TDV8 160k

The FBH activates automaticaly when the temperature is low. AFAIK it's 5 deg but not 100% 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Yes, will automatically come on to aid heat up of the coolant on a cold morning. The bit where you can set it to come on or activate with a fob is just additional functionality.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Ok guys thank you for your replies, and RobsterPC for posting his topic after mine the smoke looked the same, so I'm going with the FBH, although the outside temperature according to the RR was 11c.
Tested the battery showing weak on the drop test, and can't find the receipt for the battery from Tanya, will teach me to be neater with my paperwork.
Recharged the battery to 12.5v put it back on, started first time again, let it running, no smoke, so obviously happy it's nothing sinister. Will order a new battery and this time keep the paperwork.
Tiprat Borrowed Grey 2002 3d 204k for a year
Now own a 2007 Java black Vogue SE 3.6TDV8 160k

My handbook for MY11 says FBH will operate at <15 degrees

From the Workshop Manual…