Freelander 1 New problem.

So here I am again, last few days, the 2.5 V6 hasnt been starting so freshly, I had suspected the battery was getting old, today the car started and the battery light stayed on, also the 3 amigos, i went for a drive around the block, and the display for the gear select on the dash, kept flicking between 4 and "F", so parked up and did a car swap.

ANy IDEAS? is it all related to the battery?????

Probably a dodgy alternator

Measure the voltage across the battery with the engine oft and running.

Ok, will get to that, would this likely cause the problem with the gear box, if battery is a bit low.

Low voltage can cause all sorts of issues. Measure the battery and it should be about 12 to 13vdc when the engine hasn't been running for a bit. When you start the engine the alternator should charge the battery at 14 to 14.4vdc. If the volts across the battery don't increase from 12/13vdc to 14+ when the engine is running then it's likely you have a bad connection or the alternator is poorly. Battery light staying on would make me want to do these checks to see if it's the alternator.

Take the acoustic cover oft the top of the engine and check the electrical connections to the alternator. You should disconnect the negative terminal to the battery before doing this as it's far too easy to short the positive connection on the alternator to the alternator case (which is connected to the battery via the negative terminal), and blow the big fuse in the engine fuse box.

Hi Hippo, I found this on another site, looks like your reply, IF you are Hippo else where:
http://forum.landrovernet.com/showthread.php/195079-Freelander-03-Hill-decent-light-and-F4

As this appears to be exactly my problem, I will measure the battery first, and then look at the plugs mentioned.

thanks

OK all, so I checked the battery voltage, at 10V. then the car only just started, then checked the voltage during the engine running and it was 9.3V not changing. so I suspect the Alternator.
the plugs all looked good and in a good place.

Low of volts will cause all sorts of secondary problems. As above check the alternator connections.