https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l322-range-rove...witch.html

This forum really is fantastic! Thanks for the replies.

A couple more questions to help me rule things out...

Based on my symptoms

1. If the battery is starting to fail (it's about 12 months old) then would trying to start the car with jump leads from another vehicle help?

Paul - I appreciate your comments but the battery is spinning the starter with great vigour and no sign at all that it doesn't have the juice

2. Is there any way that I can determine whether it's the alternator?

Tugger...what makes them think that that's your problem?

Has anyone replaced an alternator on one of these - how difficult a job is it?

Thanks again

S 2012 TDV8 Westminster in the New Forest

Also: Land Rover Series 3 SWB, Mercedes 280SL, Classic Mini race replica, VW Golf SV
Previously: Audi A8, RR TDV8 Vogue, Audi Allroad, VW Golf GTI Edition 30, Audi A4 Avant, A8, A4 Sport, A6, VW Golf Mk5, Bora, Golf GTI Mk3, Jetta Mk3, Passat, Jetta Mk1, Golf Mk1

I'm no expert but here's what happened to me

Driving along motorway this morning on way to work, slight incline and wanting to overtake, I gave it a bit more throttle, the gearbox kicked down and that's when the HDC alerts appeared, plus the other alerts previously mentioned by the OP
At that point I pulled onto the hard shoulder and the car just refused to fire, the starter was turning over but it wouldn't catch

Anyway when the recovery chap arrived (and what a top bloke he was too!) he was planning to drive it up onto his recovery truck but it still wouldn't start. He had a battery booster pack with him but even with that, it still wouldn't start. The fact that the lights and everything were working normally led him to think it was the alternator was, in his words, "gubbed"

So that's my symptoms, we'll find out in a day or so if it is the alternator once the garage has done their diagnostics. 09 RR Westminster 3.6TDV8 - Stornoway Grey / Black interior - now gone (sad face)
Nissan X Trail 1.6TDCi Tekna
Fiat 500 1.2

Thanks, Tugger...those are exactly my symptoms (leaving out the earlier hesitant starting issue which I'm beginning to think may be unconnected).

Please let me know when you have yours back (which I hope is very soon) what the eventual outcome is.

I'd like to find a way of testing my alternator before either attempting to replace it myself or getting the car to my local indie.

Cheers 2012 TDV8 Westminster in the New Forest

Also: Land Rover Series 3 SWB, Mercedes 280SL, Classic Mini race replica, VW Golf SV
Previously: Audi A8, RR TDV8 Vogue, Audi Allroad, VW Golf GTI Edition 30, Audi A4 Avant, A8, A4 Sport, A6, VW Golf Mk5, Bora, Golf GTI Mk3, Jetta Mk3, Passat, Jetta Mk1, Golf Mk1

why would a failing alternator prevent the car from starting?
if the starter is spinning over correctly but not firing which i think OP said it is?

Sounds like it might be fuelling related to me.

"spinning the starter"

and turning the engine over ? .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

I must agree with fray an alternator wont stop it from starting and if its spinning over battery must have a charge

THIS is why I'm confused!!!

I don't understand why the alternator would prevent starting which is why I'm interested in the outcome of Tugger's issue and what makes a (presumably) quite knowledgeable recovery chap think of the alternator.

I agree it appears like a fuelling problem now, but if so then why did it all start with an HDC fault warning followed by every other warning message available(!) and still get me the mile or so home before then deciding it won't start? Those symptoms suggest to me an electrical issue.

I'll put the code reader on tonight but I fear there will be so many stored DTCs that I may end up even more baffled. 2012 TDV8 Westminster in the New Forest

Also: Land Rover Series 3 SWB, Mercedes 280SL, Classic Mini race replica, VW Golf SV
Previously: Audi A8, RR TDV8 Vogue, Audi Allroad, VW Golf GTI Edition 30, Audi A4 Avant, A8, A4 Sport, A6, VW Golf Mk5, Bora, Golf GTI Mk3, Jetta Mk3, Passat, Jetta Mk1, Golf Mk1

As I sit here reading, I've remembered what may be a crucial point - the recovery man actually did get mine to start very briefly, it would only run for about 3 or 4 seconds and then die. It wouldn't even last long enough to drive itself onto the recovery truck. So I reckon battery and starter are OK - its just the minute the alternator is called up to spit out some juice, it fails.


Sorry if I led you down the wrong path a little bit - I'd genuinely convinced myself it totally failed to start at all.

Anyway, I'll make sure to get detailed feedback from garage and share it with you all as best I can. 09 RR Westminster 3.6TDV8 - Stornoway Grey / Black interior - now gone (sad face)
Nissan X Trail 1.6TDCi Tekna
Fiat 500 1.2

Last edited by Tugger on 19th Mar 2019 2:50pm. Edited 1 time in total

Thanks, Tugger. That makes your symptoms even more identical to mine!

Good luck, and please do keep us posted.

I hope for both our sakes it's something cheap and easy.

Oh, hang on... they're FFs!!!  2012 TDV8 Westminster in the New Forest

Also: Land Rover Series 3 SWB, Mercedes 280SL, Classic Mini race replica, VW Golf SV
Previously: Audi A8, RR TDV8 Vogue, Audi Allroad, VW Golf GTI Edition 30, Audi A4 Avant, A8, A4 Sport, A6, VW Golf Mk5, Bora, Golf GTI Mk3, Jetta Mk3, Passat, Jetta Mk1, Golf Mk1

Joe90 wrote:

"spinning the starter"

and turning the engine over ?

Precisely 2012 TDV8 Westminster in the New Forest

Also: Land Rover Series 3 SWB, Mercedes 280SL, Classic Mini race replica, VW Golf SV
Previously: Audi A8, RR TDV8 Vogue, Audi Allroad, VW Golf GTI Edition 30, Audi A4 Avant, A8, A4 Sport, A6, VW Golf Mk5, Bora, Golf GTI Mk3, Jetta Mk3, Passat, Jetta Mk1, Golf Mk1

I know if the diode pack of the alternator is J. Arthured it can prevent the car starting as not enough power gets to the coil packs. It can also drain a previously charged battery a lot faster.

It could be worth getting some heavy jump leads on another big vehicle and trying that, wouldn't leave it running long though, alternators aren't as heavily over rated as they once were! Formerly happymadison1978

Isn’t it a TDV8?

You can disscconect the alternator on any motor it will still spin over and start if the battery is charged