How to get into your Land Rover Discovery 3 with a flat battery - cant open doors etc

In this video our poor Disco 3 has been left outside abandoned and forgotten and the battery has gone flat and we are unable to get into the car. The removable door fob is not letting us in either ! But don't worry we send Dan under the car to connect the battery charger to the starter motor wire and hey presto we are all up and running.... Dan had to dry off but its part of the fun working for Powerful UK !

[@nickwall4547]

Thank you, that saved me breaking a window.

[@BobSmith-ui4qu]

It would also make sense to extend cables from the battery to some point near the grill so you can charge the battery without getting into the car. Great video. March 15,2024

[@L663]

Cool idea

[@rambo196919]

The reason the manual key entry does not work is because they sieze up through lack of use. Worth using the manual key once a month to keep it moving.

[@drinternatg6391]

Would never have thought of that. Good job guys.Respect.

[@M94289]

Think you’ve found the most difficult way of doing it! Just charge through the white plug on the towing electrics for caravans. It’s a main live feed to the battery. They make C-tek adapters to plug into the tow socket.

[@timk.537]

Haha. That's awesome

[@jayswin2]

Does a tow bar plug have a permanent live to battery? Mine doesnt ,(Vw golf)

[@M94289]

jayswin2 the whole video is about discovery 3’s. Not vw golfs.. when these are fitted with tow electrics there’s two plugs, the normal black plug for the lights, and a white plug that does auxiliary power for caravans. These have a main unfused live to the battery.

[@jliquorish]

I have a NOCO which doesnt have an adapter here in AUS. I made one with the standard connector to a battery, chopped of the connectors and added an Anderson plug to bothe ends put earth to 3 and positive to 4 of the other end. Enables me to also keep battery topped up with either the NOCO or with a Solar Panel.

[@richardprice4362]

👏👏👏 for Dan

[@Wilbargosh]

Preventative maintenance - install an Anderson Plug from battery to rear or front bumper. They can also be used to run tire pumps etc when driving off road.

[@krzysztofspiewek]

Wow, super life hack, thanks guys! Greatings from Poland, Poznan 👍💪

[@Bensgarage]

Just got into my Range Rover L322 through the 13pin trailer socket. Pin 9 is permanent live and pin 13 is the earth for pin 9.

[@phill-w]

Very clever😊

[@garystuart226]

Indeed, easy to plug a CTEK charger into the 12s socket , also if the key goes flat put the key onto an electric cordless toothbrush charging base overnight

[@rickylovesyou]

Surely the key should have worked.

[@conwaymartin9307]

Thanks very much for that very helpful guys .

[@x32bred]

Me currently...im here🤣

[@jaybarnes8135]

This worked for me in the new shape sport l494 by using jump leads to another car rather than battery charger . To open the car not start it of course 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@DJCheeba]

Lifesaver. Thanks for the video 🙏

[@L663]

Glad it helped!

[@paulrankin1046]

I have found the manual key entry is always really stiff. Pull the plastic cover off as you did, turn the key to the right. Had to get entry to mine last week and it feels like the key is going to snap!!! You get locked out if your main battery is flat, or in my case the cell battery in the key fob. If it's your fob battery that's flat your alarm is going to kick off, so be ready to jump into the drivers side and start the car to turn it off. Hope this helps.

[@L663]

thanks for the advice

[@eskimojulie]

You are a life saver ,my fob is running low as coronavirus has had me doing all very short trips , your info for turning the key right and the stiff warning has it working.👍

[@steveone9375]

Dan's the man

[@453421abcdefg12345]

This has been a thing that I have given some thought to in the past, with all electronic systems you are totally reliant on 12 volts being available, on the Defender I think there is a system where you turn the key back a forward in the lock corresponding to the vehicle code, although that may be for a flat key fob battery, so the answer to this one is to check under the vehicle to see where the battery + terminal is, why is there a lot of water on your vehicle, have you just washed it ? Many Thanks for posting this!

[@tomcardale5596]

It's called the EKA and involves opening and closing the doors :)

[@michael-wurzinger]

... what about the 12V pin on the trailer-connector? Must be perfect for charging :-)

[@johngraham6181]

Took us half an hour with a bit of wd 40 and a lot of wiggling to get the spare key to work. Freezing at the time too! Most people don't even know about it. Surely a job in the service to make sure it is free.

[@brandonwilliams9085]

You mean in the door ??

[@jimmybrooks1650]

You really wanted an lr4

[@johnp8150]

... which is yet another reason I drive a Defender.

[@L663]

Yes indeed - just unbolt the door and you can get at the battery.... your worry is will you car be there in the morning.... or will it be stolen !

[@p0pes11]

My L322 died an the rac connected a charger to the alternator, as soon as he made the connection I could open the doors with the fob.

[@L663]

OK so maybe the alternator is more accessible.... good point - which engine do you have ?

[@darrensmith2141]

I just go onto the towing electrics

[@L663]

Yes this seems to be the smarter way - will looking this.

[@L663]

Yes this seems to be the smarter way - will looking this.

[@martinwhite8354]

Axle stand ?

[@simonjefferson]

Yes we have done some training around this !

[@888johnmac]

why ?? all 4 tyres were still on the ground