I have only today found this site when I found myself dealing with the mysterious problem of my Disco TDI no starting the other morning! I went through everyone else who had the Battery Drain problem and it is currently an invaluable source of help to me!

Am still not going yet, when we jump start she runs fine but the minute the engine is turned off I'm screwed! With the help of threads previously posted I have located what I think to be the problem! Am thinking it could be the blown fuse for the Alternator!??!! Will try and get that sorted today and see if thats the problem! lol!

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone because all the help already on here is a godsend!!



Keith
Northern Ireland

p.s still at the honeymoon stage where I can forgive the disco anything!! lol!

sounds like you have a crapp battery,

possibly a cell has gone defective and your not getting the full 12 volts

time for a new battery

Thanks - definately isn't the battery. Had both batteries I was using
tested and are fine. Managed to get it started today but problem is back - has only come back after I locked the doors and unlocked them! My central locking doesn't work so now am wondering if its putting a drain on the battery? Got a new fuse for the alternator but the one the guy gave me is just slightly too small so I still haven't been able to rule that out. Its now turned into a challenge!lol! Going to disable the alarm and immobiliser to see if that may be causing the problem?

Thank you

Finiky old electrics, specialy the central locking! try checking the fuse first as you have already explained, if that does not work check for a loose or faulty conection as a bad earth can sometimes drain the batt. & upset the CL.

Failing that perserverance is the key!

so lets get this right,,
it starts and runs ok when you jump start the engine, you then remove the jump leads, it still runs ok ?, if you switch the engine off it wont restart start?

have you tested the battery voltage while the engine is running , should be between 13 and 14 volts

Thanks to all for replying and for your help! Basically my problem was that it wouldn't start unless jump started with leads, then it would run fine until you turned off the engine and tried to start it again! I went and got the battery and the alternator tested properly after your advice and both were fine. Figured only thing left must have been the fuse for the alternator which I got replaced yesterday morning (hate to say it - wifes idea!!lol) And everything is back to normal and running smoothly!! Happy days!!

Now its just the case of waiting to see what disco has in store for me next time! lol!

thanks again for the help and advice - thought I was gonna lose the will to live!