Electrics (battery )

[joejag308]

Paul once again many thanks, as with BB and Brian its one side of the car mechanics that is for specialists. Electrical problems i leave to electricians
i need some decent reversing sensors fitting but the main dealer is out of the question....so its hand into the deep Daimler fund pocket and see if there is anything left.........oh us poor pensioners !!! ........Joe

[Mike1932]

I had a battery drain on the X300 I previously owned - it turned out to be the radio head unit which was not switching off when the engine was stopped. Can't elaborate on the technical side of this as I passed the bill from the auto-radio company to the new owner when I sold the car.

[joejag308]

Many thanks to you all for the information submitted re the battery drain.
BB i did the "isolate the different items " bit i took the fuses out of the individual units in turn Ie the boot light , glove box, etc and it didn't identify any particular one. So i have had a request to call round at West Riding Jaguar (my local Jag specialist) and Dave Bye who runs the place is going to put his diagnostic unit on the car and see if anything comes up.
At least the battery is OK and charged up, but the drain bit is not one particular item on any one of our cars it would seem. The cars are complex units and it could be the same on two or three but different on another set. There are a number of things that keep running while the car is stood its a matter of identifying which one is the problem.
Even if i get the problem pin pointed i think the CETEK XS3600 will be part of my garage equipment from now on.........Joe

[joejag308]

Well i finally bought the recommended CTEK XS3600 They do seem to be about the same price everywhere £49.99.........but i was surprised by the quality, a very sturdy piece of kit.
you can connect the crocodile clips and leave them on with the connector hanging into the boot then just plug a power line in and connect to the CTEK unit a very neat connection and set the controls then Bobs yer uncle.
I left mine on all night and it went ok without having to turn it off....so a fully charged battery this morning..........Job done.
The drain problem will be attended to when the garage has a booking time.......but the CTEK will stay in line just in case...Joe

[paulbarrie]

Does it do any harm to the electrics if I charge my battery whilst it is still connected?
The handbook says that it should be disconnected before charging.

I just had loads of error codes and messages causing all sorts of worries and engine going into Limp Home mode.

I've had the codes cleared and battery recharged and tested and now will putting battery on recharge once a month. As i do lots of short journeys, if it not actually necessary to disconnect it each time it will make life easier.

[joejag308]

Paul it does not do any actual harm to "charge" the battery every now and again even with the leads connected.........however if you look at my post above this an answer to your problems is there.........i have just bought one of these chargers CETEC XS3600 they are approx £49.95 almost everywhere i used a site called "ULTIMATE FINISH" in Lincolnshire and they delivered next day........you can connect the charger to the leads and just leave it on........for months if you like.......i have used the leads that can be permanently bolted on to the terminals leaving the connector visible in the boot........then you plug your CETEC into the mains and then select the programme you want on the unit and walk away.....it trickle charges the battery and also conditions it too......when there is enough charge in the battery it turns itself off......until it drops down enough for some more charge.........when you want to use the car disconnect the charger from the battery and away you go fully charged...........Joe .............Paul as an addition to this post i have been reminded to tell you to use a modern type charger if you are are charging with the leads on.........otherwise it can blow your electrics.......hence the CETEK info.........Joe