Electrical fault dashboard warning

[Deepdown130]

Can anyone offer some advice?

I was driving earlier and the dashboard flashed up the “electrical fault” warning with the amber telltale light. It went off immediately and there didn’t seem to be anything wrong. Should I just put it down to one of the foibles of the XK8 or does is really mean something might be wrong? The handbook doesn’t offer any useful information. No DTCs when I scanned it.

Many thanks.

Gavin

[andypryce]

I would say a foible yes, keep an eye on it…

[Astromorg]

I agree with Andy. There's not much else you can do without any evidence. Perhaps your only problem is re-building your own level of confidence in undertaking any longer distance journeys. Keep your scanner to hand in the glove box

[Deepdown130]

Thanks both. I shall keep an eye on it. We drove just under 300 miles today and no sign of the warning. Fingers crossed that’s the last I’ll see of it. Good advice to keep the scanner in the car.

[dyrham663]

'Scanner' ? Is it something worth getting?

Thanks

Steve

[Andy P]

Hi Steve,
I use the ELM327 Bluetooth OBD connector paired to the Torque App(which is free) on my Android mobile phone for the basic engine codes.
The ELM327 Bluetooth OBD Connector can be had for about a tenner online(I purchased mine on eBay):
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... h&_sacat=0
Plug the connector into the socket(left side of drivers footwell just above foot rest)
Download Torque App to phone and then pair connector to phone and open the Torque App to connect(I have engine running when connecting)
A cheap and easy way of reading the engine codes if you get the restricted performance message and it allows you to reset the engine light.
A garage will quite happily charge you for doing this.
Hope that helps.
Take care.
Andy

[Deepdown130]

Hi Steve,

Andy's advice is well worth following. You can save a fortune.

If you want a deeper dive into other modules on the car then you need to spend a bit more money but even then it is small beer compared to what it can save you in garage bills. I have a Foxwell NT414 Pro (obsolete now I think) and that was about £150 three years ago. It can read (and clear) codes from the ABS, transmission and restraints modules, as well as the engine module. I'm sure there are even more capable machines available for less now.