RRFF - 3.6 TDV8 Intermittent power & engine failure

[Mc F]

Hi,

my wife about 3 weeks ago put 20 litres of petrol into the above.

I necked it with Diesel straight away, thinking there would be no issue.

There wasn't for about a week & I continued to run it low & refill with Diesel.

After a week or so we kept getting engine management failure, terrain response failure, transmission failure, limited gears warnings etc coming up!

Also check numberplate light, which seems to have a bad earth, as bulb was replaced.

I thought it might be connected to the Petrol & thought it would get flushed out, as probably had 300 litres of Diesel through it by now.

Problem still exists mainly in the mornings ( 20degrees in the morning here so not cold )

It resets with turning the ignition on and off but can happen upto a dozen times ( cutting power to limp mode on a single school run )

Once the initial school run is done 9/10 it is fine for the day??

Booked into my local LandRover independent again who looked at it before but so far haven't come up with a definite answer?

Help appreciated.

[alanm_3]

Sounds like the kind of symptoms you get with a failing battery.

Save your money on the indie and replace it as a first pass.

[Mc F]

I forgot to mention, it was in for a new alternator and this trouble has followed the fitment of this???

Surely not as simple as the battery?

These indies are specialist I hope.

[Mc F]

I forgot to mention, it was in for a new alternator and this trouble has followed the fitment of this???

Surely not as simple as the battery?

These indies are specialist I hope.

[BLUETHUNDER]

It does sound like a low voltage issue that is triggering the warning lights. I would change the battery. With the weather being a bit colder the car draws more amps in order to turn over. With a battery on its way out you will only compound the problem further.

[alanm_3]

By all means take your car to an expert indie, but failing batteries are a very widely documented solution to lots of very obscure problems.

Just out of interest, why was you alternator replaced?

[Mc F]

I was left dead at the side of the road and on inspection at the Indie was told the Alternator was not charging the battery!!

$1500 later !! and have the latest issue.

The car failed on the way home that evening, due to above faults.

[alanm_3]

hmmm, I'm guessing whoever investigated your original issue has mis-diagnosed a battery problem as a faulty alternator.

Before you spend any more money on specialist investigation, I would strongly suggest you replace the battery and make sure you get the correct type - bosch type 020.

So many people have fallen into the trap of thinking a faulty or failing battery couldn't possibly cause so many weird and wonderful problems, but the evidence is there.

[Mc F]

Thanks Alan.

[Mc F]

Battery tested by Bosch who said it was healthy!!

I did notice the LandRover battery fitted says 90amp/hr while some of the S5's are 120.

When it does need replacing think i will go with your advice and fit the Bosch unit.

Anyway, car has curiously run fault free for the last day!

Fingers crossed.

[Mc F]

Battery tested by Bosch who said it was healthy!!

I did notice the LandRover battery fitted says 90amp/hr while some of the S5's are 120.

When it does need replacing think i will go with your advice and fit the Bosch unit.

Anyway, car has curiously run fault free for the last day!

Fingers crossed.