Get Owner maintenance -> Battery Guide for Land Rover Defender 90 SUV First Generation (1990-2016)

Battery

101

The battery is located underneath the left-hand

front seat. Pull up the front of the seat base to

release it from its retaining clips and pull it

forward. Release the buckle on the front of the

battery compartment and slide off the lid.

When refitting the seat base, insert the rear of

the base first and then push down firmly to

re-engage the retaining clips - ENSURE the

seat base is secure before driving.

WARNING

Batteries contain sulphuric acid, which is

both corrosive and poisonous. If spillage

occurs:

• On clothing or the skin - remove any

contaminated clothing immediately,

flush the skin with large amounts of

water and seek medical attention

urgently.

• In the eyes - flush with clean water

immediately for at least 15 minutes.

Seek medical attention urgently.

• Swallowing battery acid can be fatal

unless immediate action is taken - seek

medical attention urgently.

• During normal operation batteries emit

explosive hydrogen gas - ensure sparks

and naked lights are kept away from the

battery compartment.

• For your safety, remove all metal wrist

bands and jewellery before working in

the battery compartment and NEVER

allow the battery terminals or vehicle

leads to make contact with tools or metal

parts of the vehicle.

Battery

102

BATTERY MAINTENANCE

Td5 models

The battery is designed to be maintenance

free, so topping-up is not possible. On the top

of the battery there is a battery condition

indicator (arrowed in illustration). Examine the

indicator periodically to check the battery’s

condition. When the indicator shows:

• GREEN - the battery is in a good state of

charge.

• DARK (turning to black) - the battery

needs charging.

• CLEAR (or light yellow) - the battery must

be replaced. Do not charge the battery or

jump start the vehicle in this condition.

• If the green dot is missing, the battery

needs charging.

NOTE: When checking the battery condition

indicator, if necessary, clean the battery top to

ensure a clear view. Use a torch if natural light

is poor.

If the indicator shows clear or yellow, tap the

indicator with the handle of a screwdriver to

disperse any air bubbles. If the indicator

colour is unchanged, the battery must be

replaced.

Tdi and petrol models

The battery fitted to your vehicle requires

minimal attention as follows:

• In temperate climates check the electrolyte

level once every 3 years. In hot climates

check the level annually.

• Occasionally wipe the battery casing to

remove dirt and grease.

• Keep the battery terminals clean and free

from corrosion by occasionally smearing

them with petroleum jelly.

Checking the electrolyte level

Gently prise off the vent covers (or unscrew if

vent plugs are fitted) and inspect the

electrolyte level of the centre cell. This should

be no lower than 1 mm (0.04 in) above the

top of the plates. If necessary, top up with

distilled water to a maximum of 3 mm (0.12

in) above the plates.

Battery

103

Battery removal and replacement

Your vehicle may be fitted with a battery

backed-up sounder, which operates as an

anti-theft siren if the main battery is

disconnected.

If it is necessary to remove the main vehicle

battery, it is ESSENTIAL to adopt the following

procedure before disconnecting the terminals

in order to prevent the siren from sounding:

1. Turn the starter switch ’on’ and then ’off’.

Then remove the key.

2. Disconnect the vehicle battery WITHIN 15

SECONDS (if it is not disconnected within

15 seconds, the back-up siren will sound

immediately the battery terminals are

disconnected).

ALWAYS disconnect the negative (’-’) terminal

first. When replacing, connect the positive

(’+’) terminal first.

If the siren sounds when the battery is

reconnected, it CANNOT be turned off in the

normal way (ie. by operating the handset

buttons). To deactivate the siren, disarm the

alarm system with the handset and turn the

starter switch to position ’II’.

Battery

104

WARNING

To avoid damaging the vehicle’s electrical

system, ensure correct polarity when

refitting the battery.

ONLY fit a replacement battery of the same

type and specification as the original. Other

batteries may vary in size and have different

terminal positions, capable of creating a

potential fire hazard if the terminals or leads

were to come into contact with the battery

clamp assembly.

DO NOT use a high speed battery charger as

a starting aid.

DO NOT let the engine run without the

battery connected.

Keep the battery upright at all times -

damage will be caused if the battery is tilted

more than 45

DO NOT charge the battery if it is suspected

of being frozen.

On Td5 models DO NOT charge the battery if

the battery condition indicator is clear or

light yellow (see ’Battery maintenance’).

On batteries fitted to Td5 models, take care

not to cover the ventilation pipe on the side

of the battery.

Battery charging

Batteries generate explosive gases, contain

corrosive acid and produce levels of electric

current sufficient to cause serious injury.

While charging, always heed the following

precautions:

• Before charging, disconnect and remove

the battery from the vehicle - charging the

battery with the cables connected may

damage the vehicle’s electrical system. On

non-Td5 models, ensure the battery is

topped up to the correct level.

• Make sure the battery charger leads are

securely clamped to the battery terminals

BEFORE switching on the battery charger.

Do not move the leads once the charger is

switched on.

• While charging, shield your eyes or avoid

leaning over the battery and keep the area

around the top of the battery well

ventilated.

• Do not allow naked lights near the battery

(batteries generate inflammable hydrogen

during and after charging).

• On Td5 models, the battery will be

charged sufficiently once the battery

condition indicator shows GREEN.

• When charging is finished, switch off the

battery charger BEFORE disconnecting the

leads from the battery terminals.

• After charging, leave the battery for an

hour BEFORE reconnection to the vehicle -

this will allow time for explosive gases to

disperse, thereby minimizing the risk of

fire or explosion.

Owner maintenance -> Battery for Your Land Rover Defender 90 SUV First Generation (1990-2016)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals