Classic Range Rover electrics
Discussion
I have a 94 soft dash range rover
There is a weird electrical issue - when you start the car it is a lottery as to whether half the electrics work or not (windows / wipers / air-con / etc.) - sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. Usually if you turn the car off and then back on they will then all start to work - though this morning it took 5 attempts before they worked...
I assume that it is a loose wire / earth wire somewhere - is there:
- any cleverer answer (I have very little knowledge of cars)
- anything I can do to try and track it down / fix it
- in reality an auto-electrician is needed...
any thoughts welcomed!
There is a weird electrical issue - when you start the car it is a lottery as to whether half the electrics work or not (windows / wipers / air-con / etc.) - sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. Usually if you turn the car off and then back on they will then all start to work - though this morning it took 5 attempts before they worked...
I assume that it is a loose wire / earth wire somewhere - is there:
- any cleverer answer (I have very little knowledge of cars)
- anything I can do to try and track it down / fix it
- in reality an auto-electrician is needed...
any thoughts welcomed!
I think I would be asking on a model-specific forum but:
What's common to all the things that don't work? Some sort of 'body computer'? Secondary fusebox? Branch of wiring loom?
'94 is modern enough that some cars had a fair bit of electronics in them.
As a starting point, check the battery volts, and what they dip to during starting.
Some vehicles which do odd things but behave on a re-start, it's because the 'electronics' need a reset after seeing low voltage.
Some vehicles of this era also had significant drain from the battery when not in use. A trickle charger makes them less moody.
What's common to all the things that don't work? Some sort of 'body computer'? Secondary fusebox? Branch of wiring loom?
'94 is modern enough that some cars had a fair bit of electronics in them.
As a starting point, check the battery volts, and what they dip to during starting.
Some vehicles which do odd things but behave on a re-start, it's because the 'electronics' need a reset after seeing low voltage.
Some vehicles of this era also had significant drain from the battery when not in use. A trickle charger makes them less moody.
I would imagine that this is the same as a late Discovery 1. The BCM controls all the locking, windows, interior lights and wipers. In the D1, it is behind the glovebox and causes all sorts of strange symptoms due to dry soldered joints.
I changed it for a known good one via a breaker on eBay and it solved my dodgy wipers, lack of interior lights and non functioning windows.
I changed it for a known good one via a breaker on eBay and it solved my dodgy wipers, lack of interior lights and non functioning windows.
Thank you - both helpful thoughts
The car sits permanently on a trickle charger, so battery is in good condition (also very new and good quality)
BCM - will need to investigate, not sure if they do - the P38 had something similar which caused a lot of issues but I am not aware of one for the classics - will investigate!
The car sits permanently on a trickle charger, so battery is in good condition (also very new and good quality)
BCM - will need to investigate, not sure if they do - the P38 had something similar which caused a lot of issues but I am not aware of one for the classics - will investigate!
Late Classic & Disco 1 have a Multifunction Control Unit.
Part AMR1280.
https://new.lrcat.com/#!/1229/80905/82320/6494/823... Item 4.
Under the fuse box.
Eyewatering new.
Plenty of used on ebay.
The P38 has a BECM. Different animal.
Part AMR1280.
https://new.lrcat.com/#!/1229/80905/82320/6494/823... Item 4.
Under the fuse box.
Eyewatering new.
Plenty of used on ebay.
The P38 has a BECM. Different animal.
paintman said:
Late Classic & Disco 1 have a Multifunction Control Unit.
Part AMR1280.
https://new.lrcat.com/#!/1229/80905/82320/6494/823... Item 4.
Under the fuse box.
Eyewatering new.
Plenty of used on ebay.
The P38 has a BECM. Different animal.
Ahhh - interesting, thank you - worth investigating... the car is so good that the occasional electrical bits are frustrating...Part AMR1280.
https://new.lrcat.com/#!/1229/80905/82320/6494/823... Item 4.
Under the fuse box.
Eyewatering new.
Plenty of used on ebay.
The P38 has a BECM. Different animal.
paintman said:
Late Classic & Disco 1 have a Multifunction Control Unit.
Part AMR1280.
https://new.lrcat.com/#!/1229/80905/82320/6494/823... Item 4.
Under the fuse box.
Eyewatering new.
Plenty of used on ebay.
The P38 has a BECM. Different animal.
Knew it was something like that but couldn't remember the proper term. I just remember swapping it out for a used one sorted all of the above electrical problems.Part AMR1280.
https://new.lrcat.com/#!/1229/80905/82320/6494/823... Item 4.
Under the fuse box.
Eyewatering new.
Plenty of used on ebay.
The P38 has a BECM. Different animal.
OP, I suspect your wipers will work on single speed only when it goes wrong, just not intermittent and they wont come on with washers as they should.
so - intriguingly, the battery was low - hence not starting...
alternator seems to be delivering correct power
battery tests as a good battery (and is only c. 1yr old)
but the level in the battery was low - despite being plugged into a ctek charge which was reporting that all was well with the world - not sure that makes sense to me!
alternator seems to be delivering correct power
battery tests as a good battery (and is only c. 1yr old)
but the level in the battery was low - despite being plugged into a ctek charge which was reporting that all was well with the world - not sure that makes sense to me!
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