CARS GOES BEEP BEEP BEEP

[robv12]

ok here's the run up to the question, hopefully a simple answer, but hands up I am not an XK expert at all never having had a XK8

I got the usual call last week, "do you want to buy my old jag, it has some problems!!", well don't they all, a few questions and it transpires it is a 1999 XKR , 90K miles, unused for 12 months due to an engine misfire, end line is I bought it on the reasoning that you cannot have too many Jags, this takes us to 18 as we speak, I DO need help!!

Looked at the machine last week, blip the c/locking blip and to my surprise she opens up, key in the ig and she fires fires swing, yes a misfire as described, deal agreed

Today beer vouchers changed hands for the keys, I kept one set and one set was to go to my recovery guy, when I went to check the blips for a good one for the recovery driver neither would work, the doors were already open, when I tried the key in the ig, all I got was a beep,beep, beep, no dash lights, no interior lights, no alarm, no gauges nothing, I tried the three turns on the key to override the alarm as per 300 and 40, but no change. Security light on J gate is flashing and I also have a light on on the battery condition gauge. At that point in 60 mph winds I had no inclination to carry on

I opened the boot on the key and got the same beep, beep, but at least we can get at the battery

So the question is, "is this beep beep the indication on an XK that the battery is too flat to start the car, but still has some power in it,

Is it that simple or do I have a deeper issue to deal with

[J44EAG]

Headlights bright, Rob? Diff battery?
Mike

[aaj]

Rob

Welcome to the delights of XK motoring (you know it makes sense!)

To get anywhere with sorting this you will need a fully charged battery

I've never tried the 3 turns to disable the security system so don't know if that works (Nik may know)

The fobs will now probably need re-programming & the sequence differs from that on the XJ series

If you take the battery out to charge make sure you put something over the boot catch so it doesn't lock shut (the windows go into the door frame seal & drop (if there is power) around 20mm to clear seal)

Allan

[robv12]

Mike no further checks done than those I mentioned, it was too damn cold and windy!! Alan, boot lock tip noted, but the boot lock works anyway on the key, plus I have fallen for this too many times and lost count of the calls I have had and cars I have gone to where the battery is flat or the keys are locked in the boot, mainly 40/300 and 308's though

Will get the car back here and have a play, I just wanted to give the recovery guy some forward info to help him along

[Nik]

Hi Rob ,
Try this ,
1. wind down the drivers window 1" or so
2. disconnect and remove battery taking either Allan precaution of leaving the lid open or making 100% sure the key unlock works
3. get the battery fully charged and thoroughly tested
4. if there are any doubts to the condition of the battery replace it with a good quality (Varta or Bosch) battery of at least the equivalent amp hour (X100's rely heavily on a really good battery)
5. before reconnecting/installing the battery touch the cars negative and positive terminals and then reconnect the battery , this will provide a hard reset for the electronics.
6. reset the radio code and reset the window memory , reprogram the key fob(s) if necessary ,

Hope this helps ,

Nik

If the car continues to "Beep Beep" it could possibly be due to a sticky micro-switch in the J-Gate assembly , worth working the lever through all the gears with the ignition turned on and your foot on the brake pedal

[robv12]

Ok guys, update, captains log, star date today, XKR delivered here last night on a recovery truck, my recovery guy could not get it to turn over, after the usual banter of "what this heap you've bought now Jenner", and "we'll just leave it here for you", we tried a jump off my company hack, no joy, so a hefty shove round the corner and up to the house (remember this car had sat idle for 12 months, so grabbing brakes etc), with three of us purple faced with the effort saw the car out of my grumpy neighbours way!!


I had a known to be good battery to hand, 5 minutes weilding a 10mm spanner and a torx driver had the old out and the new in, turn the key and away she went, happy days, the old battery is totally u/s. The owner had done as I suspected, charged it up prior to my visit which allowed the car to unlock and start, over the following few days it had lost it's charge, hence the ensuing issue

two quick pics in poor light and in the "raw as delivered state", she does need some tlc, anyone fancy a project??

[robv12]

ok a further update, car has had a quick wash and brush up, no more major issues have come to light, although one rear wheel arch needs repair, the exhaust is blowing like a good un and she smokes on the r/h bank all of which were known about

eveything else appears AOK







so any one want the cheapest XKR in the land???, a great new years project for someone. pm me if you are interested

[Nik]

Hi Rob,
Give us a ballpark figure you are looking for her

All the best ,

Nik

[J44EAG]

I give you my best price!

Nine camels, my ex wife and a weeks holiday on my luxury motor yacht.

Mike

[robv12]

Mike, deal, but leave the camels out please

Nik you have a pm

[robv12]

thanks to all the help for the guys on the BB on this, plus all the offers of cash for the car, I declined the offer of camels though, the car left yesterday on a trailer with it's new owner, and yes he did get the cheapest XJR in existance, now to find the next one

[robv12]

well , found one, a 98 R XK8 92k miles, tax and mot, Topaz with Cream /Ivory, collected tonight, 100 miles home drives like a dream, two bulbs out, drivers seat a little worn, and the usual bit of floor rot, all to be attended to asap, although my body work guy has one in, one waiting and now this one

too dark at the moment so pictures tomorrow, when its light and dry!!

will make a nice car, so be quick on this one

[dhdove]

Mmmmm Topaz.......nice

I love it, you hate it, ah well it's a bit like Morrocan Red, each to their own

Best
TonyS

PS hope Northern Day went well and the weather was kind to you all, see you at Southern Day.

[robv12]

Topaz, not my favourite either, but it was cheap!!, been smoking around in it today, drives really well I have to say, booked in for a splodge of paint and one tiny spot of welding on the floor