Multiple/Random Warning Messages ?

[JonXKR]

Hi,

I am having an issue with my X150 5.0 XKR. Started when I went for a drive on Sunday when all of the sudden I got a bunch of warning messages ping up - Gearbox Fault, DSC Fault and Handbrake Fault. All seems fine with the actual driving though. Got it home and wondering if the problem might be caused by a weak battery I plugged it into my CTEK which did seem to charge things up somewhat.

Started it up this morning and still had the gearbox fault message but the other two had gone , though now have a low battery in the key fob warning instead.

Put this query in electrics as from what I understand low battery can lead to random warning lights. Just hoping someone can suggest a cause and cure if it is electrical or is there something else going on ? Are there other issues I need to worry about ?

[JimMann]

Hi Jon, first up you need to know how old the battery is. The magazine and Forum are full of advice about older (over 5-years) batteries causing the sort of issues you are reporting. The battery's ability to start the car is no longer a key metric in determining whether the battery is good or not.
How long had the car been sitting without use or a CTEK fitted before you took it for the Sunday Drive?
You will also need to be able to read any stored codes to determine if there are any faults that need to be addressed as opposed to just a poor battery causing an issue. Code reader should also be able to clear any faults that might linger.

Jim M

[drjohnehunt100]

I would second Jim's comments here - an old battery can cause all kinds of warning messages to be generated as the cars electronic brain thinks there is a problem when there is a voltage drop along a wire / circuit. Its common across many different cars. As i tend to focus on my Jags they have new batteries but I forgot to change the wife's battery in her BMW and we left it for a while during an extended holiday and had much the same effect when we got back on her car.

[JonXKR]

Thanks for the replies both. I got the car last September so don't know how old the battery is to be honest. It hadn't been on a CTEK in that time as I used it every fortnight or so - perhaps on reflection that was a mistake !

Think it was three weeks since last used this time.

Sounds like it might be the source of the issue ? Silly question - where do I get a code checker from , what are good ones and where do I plug it in ?

[JimMann]

Hi Jon, anything over 1 week idle and the battery drain (background) on a modern car can start to cause issues, especially with an older battery. One thing you should remember to do when locking the car is to double lock it, i.e. press the lock button on the fob twice and the car will respond with a beep. That puts more of the background electronics to sleep and can protect the charge for longer. Personally, I use a Ring Automotive Smart Charger, rather than a CTEK, and I will connect that to the remote posts under the boot floor if the car is going to be standing idle for a week or more.
It isn't obvious from your post as to the age of the car, but as my recommendation is that a battery should be changed at 5-years old, then perhaps it would be possible to work backwards to check whether the car has had a new battery fitted before you acquired it. If it still has a Jaguar branded sticker (on the battery), then it would definitely be due a new battery as the "youngest" X-150 would be 10-years of age.
If you are not proficient with a code reader / scanner, then probably best not to get one for yourself, but find a trusted garage. There are many options for code readers and there have been articles in the magazine regarding what works and what doesn't, but it can be a minefield. The scanner plugs into a port by your right knee - in the under dash bolster.
The key fob battery change is simple to do yourself, but can be a bit fiddly and there is a small spring that can ping away if you are not careful. Remove the valet key, prise off the chrome edge strips on both sides and it should open into 2 half's. There are You Tube videos that show it in detail. You need a CR2032 button type battery to replace, best to do both fobs at the time.
Jim M

[ptjs1]

JonXKR,

For error codes relating to the other Canbus systems, you'll need a more specialist reader. But for simple engine codes etc, you can just use a cheap £5 OBDII dongle and phone App such as Torque Pro which costs about £3. This will enable you to read and reset engine fault codes and also see realtime readings such as coolant sensors, lambda sensors etc etc. I've used this setup for many years on all sorts of cars. A tiny expenditure that will sort a lot of issues.

Cheers

Paul

[JonXKR]

Thanks all once again. Car is a 2012 - presumably I have to remove the trim over where the battery sits to see how old it is ?

Happily now I have charged the battery and moved the car today all the warning notifications have cleared (except the low battery in key fob - perhaps it really is a problem with that ? I will try the spare. Thanks for the tip re changing those ). car remans hooked up to the CTEK so will leave it as that and then give it another run at the weekend with hopefully no re-occurrence of the issue.