These instructions apply to the Land Rover Freelander Mk2 (L359) 2006-2014.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
Disconnecting the 12 V battery on your Land Rover Freelander (2006–2014) is one of the more straightforward jobs of its kind, because the battery sits under the bonnet where you can get at it easily — no lifting boot floors or removing seats. You might do it to fit a new battery, to lay the car up for winter storage, or to make it safe before working near the airbags and seat-belt pretensioners. The Freelander 2 is old enough that a standard like-for-like battery swap doesn’t need any dealer registration; the main thing is to work in the correct order so the car’s electronics relearn cleanly afterwards.
Where the 12 V Battery Is
The Freelander 2 keeps its 12 V battery in the engine bay, under the bonnet behind a cover. Release the cover or trim and you will see the two terminals: the negative (−) post, generally with a black lead, and the positive (+), usually red and often under a hinged plastic cap. Identify the two clearly before you start — getting the order right depends on knowing which is which.
Before You Begin
- Switch the ignition fully off, take the key well away from the car, and close the doors so the electrics settle.
- Turn off the lights, climate and any accessories, and check no interior or boot lamp is left on.
- Note your radio security code and presets, plus the clock and any saved settings, so you can restore them — the code is usually in the handbook or on a card in the service wallet.
- Wait a couple of minutes after switching off for the modules to power down before touching a terminal.
- Have the right spanner ready (typically a 10 mm), plus gloves and eye protection, and remove any metal watch or bracelet.
Disconnecting
- Confirm the ignition is off and the key is away from the car.
- Slacken the clamp on the negative (−) terminal first and lift it off the post.
- Tuck the negative lead aside so it cannot spring back onto the post.
- Only then loosen and remove the positive (+) lead if you are taking the battery out.
Working near airbags or pretensioners? Leave a minute or two after the negative is off before starting, so those circuits fully discharge.
Reconnecting
- Fit the positive (+) terminal first and tighten its clamp.
- Refit the negative (−) lead last and tighten it.
- Check both clamps are firm — a loose terminal causes intermittent electrical faults — then switch the ignition on.
What You’ll Need to Reset Afterwards
Because the Freelander 2 loses its short-term memory with the battery off, a few things need attention once power is back:
- Radio code and presets — enter the security code if prompted, then re-set the clock and your saved stations.
- Power windows — one-touch and anti-pinch drop out; re-initialise each window so auto up/down works again.
- Steering angle and stability systems — these relearn on their own as you drive straight and make a few gentle turns; a temporary warning light in the meantime is normal.
- Any electric-seat or mirror memory positions may need re-saving.
- A standard battery renewal is fine without dealer registration, though the new battery benefits from a full charge before fitting.
If a Warning Light Stays On or the Car Feels Off
- Recheck that both terminal clamps are fully seated and tight.
- Take the car for a short drive with a few gentle turns so the windows, steering and stability systems relearn.
- Re-run the window re-initialisation if a window won’t auto-close or bounces back.
- If the car struggles to start or lights flicker, rule out a genuinely flat or worn-out battery rather than a fitting error.
- Anything that won’t clear stores a fault code — decode it on autodtcs.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the battery on a Land Rover Freelander 2?
In the engine bay, under the bonnet behind a cover — easy to reach, with no boot floor or seat to remove.
Which terminal do I remove first?
The negative (−) first when disconnecting, and reconnect it last. On reassembly the positive (+) goes on first, then the negative.
Do I need to register a new battery on the Freelander 2?
No — a like-for-like swap doesn’t need dealer registration on the Freelander 2. Just fit a battery of the correct size and rating, ideally fully charged before installation.
What do I have to reset afterwards?
The power windows re-initialise, and you re-enter the clock, radio code and presets. The steering-angle and stability systems relearn as you drive.
Will disconnecting the battery clear fault codes or the service light?
It may clear some temporary codes, but it does not reset the service interval, and any live fault will log again. Fix the underlying cause rather than relying on a battery pull.
Can I jump-start it instead of disconnecting?
If the aim is just to get going after a flat battery, yes — there is no need to disconnect anything. Disconnecting is only for 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.