Batteries can be strange!! The works van recently had a flat battery, wouldn't turn over. Jumped it straight of my FL2, got it going and took it to the local battery place. Alternator was fine and battery was fine too. Never had a problem since. Nothing was draining the battery so who knows what caused it?? Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

Hello

Just wanted to check-in in this thread as well. I've got the same flat battery syndrome issue and so far I haven't found a solution for it.

This happens about once a month: put the key in, trying to start, all lights came on as usual but the engine makes just a "clank" sound and nothing. If I link up another battery it starts up no problem.
This happens with a fresh new battery as well. I've drove up to a service right up after the event and had the battery checked, no problems whatsoever, it was charging as usual, full charge as well (over the nominal charge reported). The computer check-up reported no errors as well.

There seems to be a drain somewhere but so far nobody has any idea and it feels like any service check will be just a waste of time and money. The cheapest solution so far seems to just have a spare charged battery in the car at all times.

Have you been checking the battery voltage before you hook up the extra battery? I am starting to think this event might not be a buttery issue as I have the same symptoms but eventually it will start after anything from 1 to 10+ attempts at starting.

If it happens to you again and the battery is fully charged then start looking elsewhere. My thoughts are fuel pump issues or engine management sensors.

Jon Freelander 2, 2014 Dynamic SD4 Santorini Black

Mine only did it once, when I pulled up using the Bluetooth phone connection, switched off the engine left the fob in for a while as I was still chatting; got out the car and locked as normal. Next day dead.

AA jumped all OK and had battery fully tested over 24 hours at the main battery specialist came back rated as perfect.

My conclusion is using Bluetooth at time of shutting down 100% the cause of my random flat battery

Cheers (GONE) FL2 2008 SE (manual) Santorini Black, the expensive one
(LEFT WITH) 300tdi Defender 90 the cold, reliable & sensible one

I had this happen once and the RAC man tracked it down to the glove box light. The switch had come loose so the glovebox light didnt got out. As the light didnt go out the onboard computer didnt shut down and drained the battery. Tightened up the glove box switch and the problem has gone away

My wife had the HDC Failure problem this morning but the battery was so low all hell was let loose with hazards flashing, low beam lights coming on and going off. Must of gone in to melt down as there was just a trickle of battery left, so much so that the fob couldn't be removed from the ignition.

Luckily, my father (being retired) had time to drop past and jump start but even that took ten minutes to trickle feed the Freelander. My wife called at a local garage on her way to work and they said the battery was perfect.
Wife now at work so now fingers crossed that it starts.

I did notice on Saturday morning that it sounded as if it needed an extra crank to get it started but put it down to low temperatures.

Any further thoughts on possible solutions??


A 2007 LR Freelander 2 GS - factory tints, LR mud flaps, 2013 facelift)
Problems/solutions include: rear diff pinion replaced, stearing rack and pump replaced, alternator earth cable replaced (plus new alternator as misdiagnosed), throttle body replaced, MAP sensor replaced, secondary earth cable...
2002 MG TF 160 1.8i VVC - Gone
1998 MGF 1.8i VVC - Gone

Maybe Sparks it's a start of an earth lead problem. There's a big thread somewhere on here about. I'm sure someone with more expertise will be able to offer more help. Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

Hi! Thanks for the reply. As long as there is a fix it shall put my mind to rest. Not ideal with a one year old in tow.

Thanks again,


A 2007 LR Freelander 2 GS - factory tints, LR mud flaps, 2013 facelift)
Problems/solutions include: rear diff pinion replaced, stearing rack and pump replaced, alternator earth cable replaced (plus new alternator as misdiagnosed), throttle body replaced, MAP sensor replaced, secondary earth cable...
2002 MG TF 160 1.8i VVC - Gone
1998 MGF 1.8i VVC - Gone

Hi all,
my first post & to report a flat battery problem.

Car is an 07 HSE owned since Oct13. No problems at all with starting all through the winter but battery dead on Friday morning with no apparent reason.

I came home on Thursday & all good. Radio & lights switched off manually & car single locked as always.
In the morning it wouldn't unlock the front doors or tailgate or unfold the mirrors. Got in through rear door & docked the remote. Next there were warning lights randomly lighting & relays started buzzing & clicking. Hazards flashing dimly & rapidly. Remote stuck in dock... Opened bonnet & measured battery voltage = 5.9V!!! & still discharging thanks to all the random electrical activity going on. Called LR assist & they started car with a jump. All systems checked & pronounced good! So what drained the battery? LR man didn't know although he admitted it wasn't uncommon & mentioned 'infotainment centres & phones'.
I fully recharged the battery with a charger & monitored voltage since & its been fine. But for how long? Something must remain 'on' for this to happen.

Last edited by littletriple on 8th Apr 2014 9:57 pm. Edited 1 time in total

As yours is an early model, some of the previously notified "cures" may be relevant.
Always double lock.
If you use the boot unlock button, double lock again afterwards.
Don't leave lights or wipers on auto.
If you have bluetooth, don't switch off while using the phone.
Check any aftermarket fittings, especially radio.
In my case it was the second of these.

thanks for your advise Partmaster!

Have now begun double-locking.
Lights & wipers never on auto.
Never used the phone feature.
Car has original (premium?) radio

I have also started turning everything off manually before the ignition. Can it be true that no-one fully understands this problem, not even LR?

Is this still a problem on newer cars?

Seems to have been mainly a problem with the earlier cars. As far as I know, no-one has come up with a foolproof solution. It only ever happened to me once(on MY07), if that's any consolation.

thanks again for your response. I'll keep my fingers crossed!