If you use the new batteries to open the boot you stand the chance of damaging them, the totally flat batteries on the fatty will pull down the power from the new batteries and may not open the boot...

As Kot says, use another car with the engine running, you may find you have to leave it connected for a while to bring up the volts...

 Pete
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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-

Here's an update on this saga for the benefit of anyone who may have the same issue in the future.

I changed the batteries and checked the ground but unfortunately they were not the issue.

Having taken it to a local indy garage, their error coding diagnostic shows that it's an issue with the processor on the instrument cluster module. Basically, it looks like it's gone kaput.

It looks like the only solution is to go ahead and have them order and fit a new instrument cluster at a cost of c £2400

I have investigated whether I can buy a second hand one and fit it myself but, whilst I think I could physically do that, the problem would be that the replacement will need coding to the car including milage transfer and so forth. I don't have the software/ability to do that. It's possible another independent motor electronics shop would be able to do it but by the time I've fiddled around with that I'll be up to over £1000 with a much higher risk of failure. The indy garage will understandably not fiddle around with second hand parts either.

If anyone on here has any further thoughts/advice then I'd be very pleased to hear it.

Cheers,
Melvin

If you are sure thats the problem try Ali Express etc just a quick search found or cars that are being broken for spares with blown engines

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009306...ry_from%3A 2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue

Hi Kot,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I think it would be feasible to buy a replacement for cheaper than as quoted for the new one but as I understand it the problem is that it'll need coding to the car and the old mileage data transferred too. I believe this will need specialist tools/software.

I don't have that software and the garage won't do it unless they've sourced and fitted the new one.