P38A Away on holiday and decided to be slow starting, diesel '95

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Jerseyp38

Active Member
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240
hi all,

Well after months of getting her back on the road with the last piece of the puzzle having the BeCM unlocked by Rick. I took her up to Snowdonia for a week and did 1100miles very sweetly.

Now in France (Saumur) with the family and after a 4hr drive down from st malo has decided to be slow starting. After the journey took two goes to start and sound like battery flat.

Went to shops next day, absolutely fine.

Went to the shops yesterday and took two goes of the heater plugs to start (nasty hot start fix fitted as well).

Have had occasion when alternator fault flashed up.

Have bought a stupid little jump boost thing and have my fingers crossed.

There is a little rattle under the bonnet, which made me check the idler but spun fine when weight off the serpent belt.

Where would you get an alternator in France (brand of shop to look for)?

Could it be he starter rather than he alternator. Done 160k miles used daily except for the 6months to fix clutch pins and damaged body work!


Any thoughts great fully received. Not sure when I will have internet again.

Thanks and enjoy the sun!!!!!
 
Jerseyp38 said:
hi all,

Well after months of getting her back on the road with the last piece of the puzzle having the BeCM unlocked by Rick. I took her up to Snowdonia for a week and did 1100miles very sweetly.

Now in France (Saumur) with the family and after a 4hr drive down from st malo has decided to be slow starting. After the journey took two goes to start and sound like battery flat.

Went to shops next day, absolutely fine.

Went to the shops yesterday and took two goes of the heater plugs to start (nasty hot start fix fitted as well).

Have had occasion when alternator fault flashed up.

Have bought a stupid little jump boost thing and have my fingers crossed.

There is a little rattle under the bonnet, which made me check the idler but spun fine when weight off the serpent belt.
Did you spin the alternator when you had the weight off the belt? There must be a motor factors in the nearest town. If you cannot speak French you can always point.
Where would you get an alternator in France (brand of shop to look for)?

Could it be he starter rather than he alternator. Done 160k miles used daily except for the 6months to fix clutch pins and damaged body work!


Any thoughts great fully received. Not sure when I will have internet again.

Thanks and enjoy the sun!!!!!
Click to expand...
 
Well I don't know where my post went. Did you spin the alternator when you had the weight off the belt? There must be a motor factors in the nearest town,if you don't speak French you can always point.;):)
 
We are in the Loire Atlantic area, heading for the coast near La Rochelle next week. Been thinking ought to do the basics and just change the battery, only a few months old but been deeply discharged a couple of times....... Did start today but gave it three goes on the glow plugs....... One go, reluctant to start, a few turns. Then two lots of glow plugs, just isn't turning it over very quickly.

Thankfully did put the crowbar in the back of the car so when family at the swimming pool took the tension off the serpentine belt and span the alternator, all good free and easy with no movement...............
 
I'd have a look at the electrical troubleshooting guide on RangeRovers.net. You'll need a multimeter. Check earth connections and cables between alternator and battery.

If it really is the alternator then the some of the BMW 5 series alternators fit. Might have more luck sourcing one of those out there than a Range Rover one (cheaper too). The one on mine is BMW and not Land Rover.
 
The outside air temperature may have something to do with this, providing poor air quality, & with a middle of the range battery, again effected by the heat does result in slow starting, especially if it behaved normal at other times.

How hot was the day?
 
Quite warm, 30ish degreeC. Been and bought a battery today will see how that goes...... BMW alternator good idea. Fingers crossed............
 
Well quite a day yesterday car stopped at a roundabout just s of Nante, had to be towed. Battery so flat Windows would not wind up. Ended up hiring a car left rangie at tow company yard. Plan to have it trucked to st malo next Wednesday and hoping a charged up battery will get the car on and off the ferry and the short ride 3miles home from the ferry terminal. Stuck with a small hirer car, bikes and other fun stuff still in/on the rangie. Wasn't sure whether to cry or throw up yesterday.

One garage around Nante could fit an alternator next week and £500, just for the alternator.

Might start a new post to try and find an alternator.

Thanks for the replies.
 
Any members in France on the Landyzone International Rescue map? Or maybe PM Datatek and see what he does for parts?

I am on my phone so cannot find the BMW part number. IIRC it was about 180 quid, I think. Must be cheaper there with Germany next door.
 
Hi Guys, have gotten the kids off the wifi....... Have ordered an alternator to be sent to the campsite and hopefully will arrive before we head back to st malo. Then next Wednesday recovery people take rangie up to st malo and we meet them there.

Then transfer stuff from one car to the other, drop in charged battery and if time permits change the alternator, take hire car back, get on ferry and say goodbye to over a thousand pounds........

Went for this option as if I fit the alternator and drive Nante to st malo and need recovery due to charging the recovery assistance will not be available.........

What a headache, thanks for the replies and will let you know if we do get home! Blue and bronze, bit rough around the edges p38 might be for sale soon!
 
Hi Guys,

Just to say made it home, plan for meeting the car at the ferry terminal worked! Made it home on one charged battery, only a bit nervous getting on and off the boat! Fitted alternator and have a charging battery, thanks for the replies.
 
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