Hi all
While out driving yesterday my08 tdv8 suddenly lost power then the dash lit up like a Christmas tree we had.
Electric park brake light flashing
Adaptive head light flashing
Hazard lights flashing
In the instrument display we had
Letter E
Letter F
Transmission fault
Transmission fault limited gears available
Park brake Fault
Cruise control fault
The suspension dropped to access height
The temperature gauge bounced in to the red and the warning light lit up, the power steering stopped working.
managed to come to a stop and the engine stopped turned the ignition off on tried to re start it was exactly the same we got out and locked the car and left it for 10 mins. Came back still the same phoned the RAC they came out said it was electrical checked the battery said it was shot tried to start it off a jump pack still the same he then put a new battery on still the same then plugged his reader in to the port under the dash said he couldn't read the ecu's then tried to jump start it by putting a lead from the fuse box next to the battery to some where on the engine the car started for about 15 sec's then all the same faults again he then phoned for a recovery truck and put the original battery back on.
After having it recovered back to home the recovery guy was just packing up his stuff I put the key in the ignition to shut the window the dash lit up as normal so I tried it and it started first turn of the key. the recovery guy and myself couldn't believe it I parked the car on the drive locked it up and left it. This morning again it started first turn of the key I popped the bonnet to check the battery and alternator it was charging at 14.4 volts. I the raised the car to offroad height then back to normal then to access then back to normal all fine turned the engine off tried it again all the same faults again including the suspension dropping.
Does any body have any ideas what is causing this or some one who would be able to have a look at it with a proper code reader I live in Wombourne just out side Wolverhampton
Thanks Ade

You do need to get the codes done but does sound like maybe the alternator is maybe om its way out

These cars scare me. Any ping or bong and I panic. There just so unpredictable and expensive to fix. Good luck but I would say it's more than an alternator. As it should start with jump leads with alternator disconnected.

I would support the thought that it is more than just the alternator. I drove mine for 16 miles on a brand new fully charged battery but with no alternator charge (not intentionally) and it only stopped when the battery went flat.

See here: http://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic49170.html

However it might be worth checking brake light switch and brake light bulbs as they’ve been known to throw up all sorts of weird things Robin
2008 Range Rover Sport TDV8
Gone:
Jaguar S-Type V8 4.2 Sport
MGZTT 190 2.5

Last edited by Eaters on Mon Dec 04 2017 9:41am. Edited 1 time in total

Thanks for the replys is the brake switch under the brake pedal or located somewhere else?

Here, this may help (I've not changed one myself):

http://www.rrsport.co.uk/gallery/albums/us...Switch.pdf

There plenty more about this on the forum - probably too much. Robin
2008 Range Rover Sport TDV8
Gone:
Jaguar S-Type V8 4.2 Sport
MGZTT 190 2.5

Yes it's located behind brake pedal only a £10 part. Try using some wd40 or electrical spray on the switch as they can get gummy and stick. But signs of this will be brake lights constantly on.

For what they cost and the time the part takes to change, it’s worth going ahead and replacing it. It is also worthwhile carrying a spare in your glovebox.
A faulty switch often has evidence of arcing, if you break open a bad one, you’ll know for sure by the scorch marks around the contacts.

I had a similar issue , the cause was found to be loose battery terminals due to some serious gravel roads, nipped them up and all good.

Thanks for the advice going to check the battery tonight and put it on charge and have a look at the brake switch and lights and try to start it tomorrow after the battery has had a good charge

Check for loose earth connection points too. There are a few dotted about with about 5 in the engine bay. A loose one can cause issues. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Thanks for all the great response looks like I have a lot to check.
will keep you posted

Had a busy day today and just the sort of weather to be outside messing with the car.
Anyway I have fully charged the battery and I changed the park brake switch the car started but still showed a couple of brake related faults so I changed the brake light switch as well restarted the car and everything seems to be back to normal.
Have checked the charge from the alternator and it's about 14.8 volts at the battery so that seems to be working ok.
Have just got to get the fault codes cleared and checked but fingers crossed it is all ok now.
Thanks to everyone who has offered advice it has really helped
Ade

Well done Ade. Hope the good news continues.

Moral for us all is to:

KEEP. CALM AND USE THE FORUM

 Robin
2008 Range Rover Sport TDV8
Gone:
Jaguar S-Type V8 4.2 Sport
MGZTT 190 2.5