Installation of CTEK Trickle Charger to MY 2014 XKR Dynamic R

[fabianjdsc726]

Hello,
I'm endeavouring to connect my CTEK charger.
The Jaguar handbook suggests that almost any interaction with the battery will result in fire, flame, gas, explosions and all other manner of disaster; so I'm keen to get it right.
I have seen on various forums that there is an additional negative grounding point(which I have found) and the regular positive terminal(also located !) seem to be the way forward.
I have used the CTEK before with just slapping it on the two terminals; it seems Jags may be different?

Secondly should one attach the positive or negative first?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Thank you
fabianjdsc

[IndigoBlueMk2]

I have a CTEK connected directly to the battery terminals of my 2014 XK Signature, all works great with no explosions or other catastrophic events to date (although 2020 is not finished yet!). You do not have to disconnect the battery, just undo the nut without removing the post, slip over the eyelets for positive and negative, and replace the nuts one at a time. I use the CTEK indicator unit as shown in the photo which is permanently connected to the battery, I then connect the CTEK via an extension lead whenever the car is in the garage. When not in use, the indicator tucks behind the black elastic strap in the left hand side of the boot. I find that if I leave the car more than a week without the charger it throws all kinds of strange messages when I next start it up, 'Faulty Pedestrian System' seems to be a favorite, and I have no idea what that is. All you have to remember is to turn off and disconnect the CTEK before driving away......

[JimMann]

Always connect the positive terminal first when connecting up any battery charging / conditioning device, but disconnect the negative terminal first on completion of the charging process.

In the case of a 2014 XK that throws up spurious messages after one-week of inactivity, you should SERIOUSLY consider replacing the battery as it is now over 5-years old. Through the Modern XK column, the advice incorporated on a regular basis is to consider replacing the battery when it reaches 5 years old, even if it still starts the car without issues on a cold morning. These cars are so heavy on the battery drain, especially when left unattended for any period of time, that the low(er) voltage from the aged battery can result in some very strange fault codes being thrown up and it is all down to a less than perfect battery.

The 'Pedestrian System' is the device under the bonnet, just in front of the firewall on each side, that is marked 'airbag' and in the event of a forward collision with a pedestrian will fire a charge that 'pops' the bonnet open by a few degrees in an aim to reduce the injury to the pedestrian - from their head contacting the hard components just underneath the bonnet, i.e. it allows more deformation to take place. These units (pedestrian airbag) can, on occasion, develop a fault that would prevent their safe deployment, so it is worth having then checked properly with a diagnostic scanner.

Jim Mann

[fabianjdsc726]

Thank you all.
Most helpful
Kind regards

[willsdon]

hi,the replacement of the 2 sensors [has to be both] is a real bore....expensive and a known weakness.Had mine done recently...MOT failure if you do not apparantly.!! Did not know there was such a "pedestrian" thingy fitted...what a waste of time.