The car has behaved perfectly since I bought, then this morning it won't start. I am hoping its just an electrical gremlin, so am holding off calling out breakdown assistance till I (hopefully) check in with you guys:

All lights come up, steering wheel extends and all the normal things happen (stereo starts, air con comes on). It says Air Suspension Inactive on the dash and bongs at me - then the starter doesnt fire up. With repeated locking/unlocking of car, then trying it, various other notes come up on dash like 'HDC active' / HDC inactive / High Range etc

I also get a loud single click from the front of the car somewhere...

I've read posts on here about similar issues, tried wiggling the gear selector in park, checked the battery connection.

Any other suggestions lads? Or is is breakdown van time for me

Sounds like a duff battery Rowly.

When you go to crank it make sure all aircon off, lights off, Audio off, nothing on at all so it has all power to starter motor. If you just get a clicking noise the solenoid is engaging but there isn't enough power to turn the engine.

A new battery is common place, it won't break the bank, about £70-80. Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

Agreed. Batteries have a habit of failing with little or no warning. Check it with jump leads, if it starts: new batt!

I concur with with RRUK.

Definatly the symtoms of a flat or knackerd battery indeed.

A hefty set of jump leads or battery booster should get it started...

My two sons have a terrific habit of leaving the little lights on in the rear when reading their comics etc.

I too concur

If it is old it may need replacing - bonnet has to swing all the way back and it is damned akward to lift out but it will come out. Heavy too

Saxtons should cover a battery anyway shouldn't they?

You've only had it five minutes.

Yeah, definitely sounds like a battery Rowly - have you tried jump starting? Ensure you use a decent thick set of leads also: and as suggested above, switch everything else off. However, run a voltmeter across the battery when the engine's running to check your alternator output - just to be sure.

Thanks so much for all the comments lads, much much appreciated.

Sure enough, you're all correct, breakdown van turned up, connected jump cables and it started first time. Made sure it had a good run out to help charge the battery, and even had the battery tested and it is holding a charge (though they did this with the engine off, not running, so not sure if another check is needed).

I spent about 10mins mucking around with the wing mirrors last night (the power folding had fallen out of sync, so was doing the double button shuffle with it till it fixed) but I cant imagine that would eat away at the battery...

I'll speak with Saxtons anyway as my local LR dealership has identified a few advisories, so might as well add it to the list.

Thanks again lads, means a lot that so many of you posted up your thoughts.

Rowly

My Dad's has been at the Dealer for over a week with a flat battery issue.

I'm not sure if they have been dicking about or what, to take so long to diagnose seems a bit weird, but apparently the phone module was draining the battery constantly.

The replacement costs was just over £300 for the module, dad doesn't have a phone so they were told to not replace it!

Apparently they have a £2 part that bypasses the phone module and fools the ECU into thinking all is ok with it, even when its not.

I bet they don't tell all the customers that when a module of some description is fooked. Why can't they do that with my bloody TPMS system (Back in the dealers for the next 2 days) Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

Get Saxtons to replace the Battery anyway as it SHOULD NOT discharge for the reasons you set out. In my cars I could have the Pre-Heating on for 30 minutes with full fan on in minus 10 degress and the Battery was still full of life "Every Time" and thats the key. You MUST be able to rely on your battery 100% of the time not 99%.

Get it changed even if you have to pay.

Once your battery fails, it doesn't matter how much you charge it, it will discharge very quickly from then on. Get a new one. 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster
2007 3.6 TDV8 Vogue - gone!
2003 V8 HSE (LPG) - gone!
2018 F-Pace 25t Portfolio
1974 LR Series III Lightweight FFR
2014 BMW 640i Gran Coupe