battery discharge

we are geting major discharge in our 200 tdi defender 110 its discharging even just driving along no heater no wipers no lights but wen all turnt on its still work but with discharge in the red have had this trouble before but any ideas appreciated

I'd suspect that yer altenator's fooked.

what would you say to a loose belt or wire

Hello loose belt or wire

defender/discovery said:

what would you say to a loose belt or wire

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I'd say that no-one would be that much of a numpty to post that question on a forum without having checked such obvious things first.

have checked most things just cant get ma head round it

just aint been under bonnet its tonning it down outside but check it all inside battery box and made sure my spots werent shorting on anything

Get an ammeter, put it into the circuit between the live battery terminal and the terminal clamp with the ignition off - the reading should be in the milliamps, say 20-30 top (if you only have a clock then this will be much reduced).

Now turn the ignition on with no other electrics (might be worth disconnecting the glow plugs unless you have a meter than can do about 50-60amps). You should have minimal current draw at this, all you should be running is a relay or two and the injection pump solenoid fuel guage, dash lights, under an amp, if you get a big draw then you have a short or something, but it would have to be really big to cause a major discharge.

Now this will prove there is no current going anywhere.

Then change your alternator.

all done the was a totally shot terminal clamp