These instructions apply to the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Mk1 (L538) 2011-2019.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
Disconnecting the 12 V battery on your Range Rover Evoque (2011–2019) is a job most owners can tackle at home — typically to fit a new battery, lay the car up for storage, or make things safe before working near the airbags. The one thing worth understanding first is that the Evoque runs a battery monitoring system (BMS) that keeps track of the battery’s condition and controls charging, which is why fitting a battery here is slightly more involved than on an older car. Follow the order below and the Evoque relearns cleanly, with most things settling over the first few drives.
Where the 12 V Battery Is
The 12 V battery is under the bonnet, in the engine bay, behind a cover. Lift the cover and you will find the battery with a monitoring-system connector attached to the negative side — that small module is the BMS sensor, and it needs to go back exactly as it came off. Identify the posts before you start: the negative (−) terminal carries the black earth lead (and the BMS connector), while the positive (+) terminal carries the red lead and usually sits under a red or orange cap. Take a moment to confirm which is which so you cannot short a spanner across them.
Getting Ready
- Switch the ignition fully off, take the key out of range of the car and close the doors so nothing wakes the electronics.
- Make sure the lights, climate, radio and any accessories are all switched off.
- Note down your radio presets, security code if used, and personal settings so you can restore them.
- Let the car sit for a couple of minutes after switch-off so the modules power down.
- Have the right spanner ready, and wear gloves and eye protection when working around the battery.
Disconnecting the Battery
- Confirm the ignition is off and every electrical consumer is switched off.
- Unclip and lift the battery cover.
- Loosen the clamp on the negative (−) terminal first — taking care with the BMS connector on that side — lift the lead clear and tuck it aside so it cannot spring back.
- Now loosen and remove the positive (+) lead.
- If you are working near the airbags or seat-belt pretensioners, wait about 1 minute after disconnecting before you begin, so those circuits discharge.
Reconnecting
- Refit any earth cables, then reconnect the positive (+) terminal first and tighten it.
- Reconnect the negative (−) terminal last and refit the battery monitoring system (BMS) connector, then tighten the clamp.
- Check both clamps and the BMS connector are secure, switch the ignition on and re-initialise the power windows (one-touch is lost), then re-enter the clock and settings.
Fitting a new or different battery? The BMS ideally needs resetting or registering with Land Rover diagnostic equipment so it recognises the new battery and charges it correctly. A like-for-like swap will usually settle after a few drives, but the BMS reset is the proper step and is often why stop/start stays inactive for a while afterwards.
What You’ll Need to Reset Afterwards
- Power windows — the one-touch up/down is lost, so re-initialise each window by holding it fully up and fully down.
- Clock, radio presets and personal settings — re-enter these from the display.
- Battery-management / stop-start — the BMS relearns the battery state over the next drives, and stop/start may stay inactive until it does.
- A few warning lights may show on first start and self-clear once the systems settle over a short drive.
If Something Isn’t Right Afterwards
- Recheck both terminals and the BMS connector are clean and firmly seated — the most common cause of trouble after reconnecting.
- Windows won’t auto-close — simply run the window re-initialisation again.
- Stop/start not working is usually the BMS still learning the battery state; give it a few drives.
- Rule out a genuinely flat or worn battery — if it will not hold charge, the battery is the problem, not the reconnection.
- Any warning light that stays on has stored a code you can decode on autodtcs.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 12 V battery on a Range Rover Evoque?
Under the bonnet, in the engine bay, behind a cover. The battery monitoring system sensor is attached on the negative side and must be refitted when you reconnect.
Which terminal do I disconnect first?
The negative (−) terminal first when disconnecting, and reconnect it last. On reconnection the positive (+) goes on first, negative last.
Do I need to register a new battery?
Ideally yes — the BMS should be reset or registered with Land Rover diagnostic equipment so it recognises and charges a new battery correctly. A like-for-like battery usually settles over a few drives, but the reset is the proper step.
What needs resetting after reconnecting?
The power windows re-initialise, the clock and presets are re-entered, and the BMS relearns the battery state — which is why stop/start may be inactive for a while.
Will disconnecting the battery clear fault codes or the service light?
It may clear some temporary codes, but it is not a reliable way to reset the service reminder, and a genuine fault simply stores its code again. Fix the cause rather than relying on a disconnect.
Can I jump-start the Evoque instead of disconnecting it?
If the battery is only flat, a jump-start recovers the car and keeps your settings. Disconnecting is the right move for a renewal, storage, or working near the airbags.
If a warning light stays on after reconnecting the battery, look up the stored code on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Land Rover. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.