Is it normal for there to be a delay in the alternator charging after starting? I’ve got an ‘04 Disco II, recently replaced the battery after the light stayed on for s couple blocks after starting and it tested “bad” (No voltage or cranking amp info provided) at the parts store. It sat for a couple weeks as the weather turned colder, and now I’m seeing similar symptoms. Tested myself this time, and for about the first 60 seconds, I had less than 12 volts while running. Then, I could hear the alternator kick in, and charging voltage went up to 14V+. Not sure if this is normal; maybe a function of the secondary air? Thanks in advance.

 

You should post your questions in the Disco 2 part of this forum. To me, 60 seconds sounds a bit long. If it was a few seconds or you just needed to blip the throttle a little to make it come on line I wouldn’t worry much about it myself.

 

Thanks, new to the forum, didn’t see a header topic that really fit. I appreciate the help!

 

I learned something about this one today. My D2 started doing this recently, alternator not kicking in until revving the engine a bit. Then it would work flawlessly until the next start. Since I had a spare alternator I decided to replace it. When I removed it, I found the D+ wire broken at the alternator, and the D+ terminal loose in the original alternator.
I think the deal is that the D+ wire should excite the alternator with battery voltage. Since the wire was broken this couldn’t happen, and the alternator needed to produce enough voltage to excite itself.

 

Thanks Harvlr, I’ll check it out. I haven’t had any more issues since I replaced the battery & began driving it more regularly, but that doesn’t rule out the issue you’re describing. I appreciate the info!

 

If it was a few seconds or you just needed to blip the throttle a little to make it come on line I wouldn’t worry much about it myself.