QuestionBACKROUND:
I am a college kid in AZ that is 500 miles away from my trusted mechanic at West Coast Rangers back in CA, so anything that would happen here would be a new experience for me. I just got the car 5 months ago, I have put about 9,000 dollars in upgrades, and maintenance from expensive “shops” that actually just rip you off, into my car. This included such things as: replacing all the bad sensors (6 to be exact), replaced the bellows and bags for the back 2 wheels, many resets of the check engine light, new brake pads and rotors, drive shaft, and even a few engine parts as well. I'm not mad about that, because I knew going into it, that it was going to be a "fixer-up-er", but I didn't expect anything else to go wrong for the rest of the time that I owned the car. I did have a few problems with my battery when I first got it, because I left the lights on once and the Rover had to be jumped to get back going. Another time was when I left my stereo on for 15 min, and the battery was dead when I came back to start the car. Either way, I know I need a new battery but the darn thing still keeps on kicking.
PROBLEMS:
On Friday of last week I went to take my Range Rover 4.6 out for a drive and noticed that the fault "RH Front Window Not Set" appeared. I kept driving, and the car ran fine. I just figured that I would reset the window when I got back from school. Well the next morning I wake up to start my car, and the battery is dead. I DIDNT LEAVE ANY LIGHTS ON, or ANYTHING. To make matters worse, I have 20 inch rims on the car, and the right front airbag seemed to deflate all the way to the bump stop, and is sitting on my tire. IS THAT A COINCIDENCE??????? The battery was so dead after a few failed attempts at starting it, that it actually wouldn't kick over at all. I would just here the starter click-click-click, the instrument panel beep with many faults, all the lights would flicker, the alarm would chirp, and the door locks would lock and unlock randomly. With the jumper cables, the battery would kick over, but never fire up. After realizing that the battery was shot, I got a battery charger and let it charge overnight. When I came out to check on it later that night, I noticed that my parking lights were on, but yet the switch inside for the lights wasn't. I relocked the car with my remote the lights went off. The next morning I woke up and tried to start it with a full battery, but the car just won't fire up. The “Air Suspension” and the “Service Engine Soon” lights are both on, and I doubt that it's the starter because it is actually trying to turn over, but it seems as if maybe the computer/alarm/BeCM is not letting the engine start. Today I came out to my car and my interior lights were on and my friend said that he herd the alarm go off again last night, and it was just one more time that weird things like this are happening. I don't know what else to do? I have already tried reprogramming the EKA (EMERGENCY KEY ACCESS) but I don't feel that that is a problem, because my remote and key are working fine and I don't live by any thing that could have potentially “woken-up” the BeCM.
Sorry for the long drawn out story, but now maybe you will be able to help me!
The things that I am most interested to find out from you are:
1. What caused just one window to not be set, the day before everything else happened?
2. Why did my right front airbag deflate randomly the same night as all of this?
3. What caused the battery to die at night?
4. What caused my alarm to go off if theft wasn't the reason?
5. Why do random things like my lights turn off and on?
6. Could it be some sort of Engine Immobilization?
Thanks Again, and hopefully this will help any others with the same sort of problem!
AnswerHi Ryan,
seems a faulty battery have have started this series of events. Make sure your alt is charging properly.
Replace the bad battery. If a deep charge does not get it back up to snuff...get rid of it. You left it charging overnight and a 2nd problem sneaks into the picture.
The immobiliser, coupled with the BeCM is being triggered by something...maybe low battery feed, maybe the window sensor you mentioned. Its drawing power and draining an already weakened battery.
I've found that the key to good security is a good battery. If you can, purchase the best you can afford (being a student with a Rangie...?).
Are you able to do the work yourself? You'll save big bucks that way. If you need parts, check out www.car-part.com for salvage Rangie parts in your area.
The air suspension problem will come back to haunt you. Its known that the suspension air spring (air 'bag') can develop micro-holes over time. It starts to leak and the air compressor is constantly working. Eventually, the compressor fails.
I'd say start by replacing the battery and see what happens. Clearly, its not holding a charge very well. Perhaps the Lucas electronics are freak'n out with the low trickle voltage that being cut off or spiking.
With lights being left randomly on...it sounds like the security system is trying to maintain itself but failing. Let's hope its because of the bad battery.
Final caution...I've known LR alternators to burn out due to bad batteries. Your alt is about $700 and I strongly advise you to buy that Interstate battery (or better) for $120 before you pay $800 for the alt install.
You may want to test all your fuses to see if any are blown. Buy a good fuse light to make this quick and easy. Electrical shorts in connectors can cause these types of problems. Start with the window actuator and harness. I've seen the connectors there become corroded due to water ingress problems. Where there's water, there's eventually corrosion.
Let me know what happens after the new battery. If you can, try Advance auto...they can test your alternator to make sure its charging properly and they usually do it for free. Also, next time you have a Check Engine light, have someone with an OBDII reader give you the codes. It will help narrow down the problem. Again, some Advance Auto shops have been known to do this for free...
Best of luck,
JohnMc
