Hi all,

The main digital instrument panel on my MY18 L405 has just stopped working. When I turn the car on the only thing that comes on is the airbag warning light. Other than that it's completely blank. No speedo, or rev counter or anything at all on that screen. No other warning lights. The airbag light goes out after a while but then comes back on again.

I also just noticed that the tailgate intermittently fails to deploy when pressing the open button (key fob or on the car, doesn't matter). It does close via the button though.

Obviously the instrument panel is the main issue though but thought tailgate is probably related since it stopped working at the same time.

I've checked the fuse that controls the instrument panel (as per the handbook) and it is fine.

The car has been driven plenty recently without any problems so I don't think it's likely to be a battery issue.

The car has been sat in the sunshine in the recent hot weather so I suspect that is a likely catalyst for the problems.

Does anyone have any other thoughts on what to check, what the problem could be or experience with similar problems?

Many thanks,
Melvin

I know you think it's not the battery but checking the batteries is the best and cheapest way to start.

You probably have two and if one is failing all sorts can happen..

Check the voltage at the posts of each battery, you will need to remove the spare wheel to reach the main one and if you have a second you have to pull off the drivers side boot side panel..

 Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Good point. Thanks for the suggestion, Haylands. I'll check them!

Check your earth points too. They do funny things when they corrode

Haylands wrote:

if you have a second you have to pull off the drivers side boot side panel..

JLR stopped them in 15/16my Peter... Moved to a condenser arrangement...

That makes life easier.... or do they fail as well...?  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Cam-Tech-Craig wrote:

Haylands wrote:

if you have a second you have to pull off the drivers side boot side panel..

JLR stopped them in 15/16my Peter... Moved to a condenser arrangement...

Hello,

I went out to try to do the battery testing this morning and the car is now completely dead. So, I think you were right that the batteries are not fully healthy!

I tried to charge the battery from the ports in the engine bay but both of my battery chargers were not able to do it. One just kept flicking on and off and the other one just came up with a "fault" light.

Is there a particular type of charger I need? Please see pics of my current chargers.

The blue charger managed to get enough juice into the battery to set off the alarm and make some clicking sounds in the engine but it would only remain "charging" for 5 seconds before clicking off. It would then try again with the same result.

There's not enough charge in the battery to open the boot so I'm not sure how best to proceed now!?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Melvin

Try putting both chargers on at the same time. I did this once to overcome the resistance in the battery and then it carried on charging.

Replace both batteries I bet they are original so 7 years is about right for a change 2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue

You might have to connect an extra battery to the car for the charger to see enough voltage to start charging, then disconnect the extra battery after a few minutes. L405 D350 SE Carpathian Grey D5 19" rims

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. Much appreciated.

I've bought two new batteries as Kot suggested.

However, I can still not actually get into the boot due to the lack of power. The doubled-up chargers didn't work, unfortunately.

When the new battery arrives would it be ok to connect it to the ports in the engine bay in order to provide the power to open the boot?
Or should I use the new battery in the way that GraemeS suggested and try to get the charger working to get enough power in the old battery to open the boot?
Or is there some other better way to proceed than this?

Thanks
Melvin

Do you have a 2nd car and jump leads? connect with terminals under bonnet should easy be enough to open tailgate.

But I guess nothing will work if the earths are compromised under wheel arch! 2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue

Yep, I've got another car and jump leads so I can do that. Do you think that that's a better option than connecting the new battery to the terminals under the bonnet?

I'll also take a look at the earths before I try it too.

Thanks!

I would do it first while you are waiting battery so you can open tailgate. 2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue