D2 charging issue when wet

have a little issue with charging system.

I went on a p&p day a few weeks back. Towards the end I splashed through a few puddles, batt light came on so I drove home.

I had a spare alternator off a working car, and swapped them over. Battery light disappeared for about 100 yards and then back on. Left it for a few days and it was back to normal.

Been fine for the last 2 months or so, and then today I went for a play on sailisburu plains so have been through some water.

Again battery light on and nanocom showing 12.3-12.7v. Been driving around most of the day like it. Left the plains and around 10 miles after leaving battery light off and charge is up to around 14v again. Getting up to 14.2v towards end of journey.


I have recently replaced the battery. Both clamps are super tight.


Have cleaned the ground point directly behind the battery. It wasn’t dirty, but gave it a clean anyway.


I also fed 12v straight for battery positive to the green/white wire plug that feeds the alternator with power to see if that was not getting enough power, but it didn’t change battery output.


I have also added another ground wire from the point behind battery to engine block.


I need to chase the ground wire to see where it runs from the battery to see if the grounds need sorting, but unsure of where else to look or what to test.

Any ideas most welcome!

baronvonprepper said:

have a little issue with charging system.

I went on a p&p day a few weeks back. Towards the end I splashed through a few puddles, batt light came on so I drove home.

I had a spare alternator off a working car, and swapped them over. Battery light disappeared for about 100 yards and then back on. Left it for a few days and it was back to normal.

Been fine for the last 2 months or so, and then today I went for a play on sailisburu plains so have been through some water.

Again battery light on and nanocom showing 12.3-12.7v. Been driving around most of the day like it. Left the plains and around 10 miles after leaving battery light off and charge is up to around 14v again. Getting up to 14.2v towards end of journey.


I have recently replaced the battery. Both clamps are super tight.


Have cleaned the ground point directly behind the battery. It wasn’t dirty, but gave it a clean anyway.


I also fed 12v straight for battery positive to the green/white wire plug that feeds the alternator with power to see if that was not getting enough power, but it didn’t change battery output.


I have also added another ground wire from the point behind battery to engine block.


I need to chase the ground wire to see where it runs from the battery to see if the grounds need sorting, but unsure of where else to look or what to test.

Any ideas most welcome!

Click to expand...

yes stop driving through water

But that’s no fun at all. Come to think of it I did have the battery light come on when I popped up the road the other day, switched her off, when I come to jump back in, the engine would crank but wouldn’t fire. Took a few attempts :/

But apart from that, water seems to be the problem, and not even deep stuff, probably only up to my axle, maybe a little deeper

Earth straps and connections can be troublesome in older vehicles. The connections start to rust or oxidise which can start them failing. I'm not a fan of high current circuits using the body or chassis for an earth return.
A fresh heavy duty lead added between the battery negative and the engine block could well sort your problems and even if it doesn't then leaving it in place shouldn't do anything to cause further problems either.