2002 XJR will not start or turn over
Discussion
Hi,
I have a 2002 XJR which will not turn over on the key. I only drive it every two or three weeks so I am hoping it is just battery related. I haven't driven it for two weeks. I do leave it unlocked when it is stood though (I thought not having it alarmed might save the battery!). I can hear the engine ticking when the ignition is on and when I go for the final turn of the key I hear a single short ping/crack which sounds like metal on metal (not too loud). After that when I let go of the key I hear a few relays click and there is noting else. The engine doesn't turn at all. The dash and intereor lights seem to work. Would a dying battery stop the engine from turning at all? Any thoughts much appreciated.
I have a 2002 XJR which will not turn over on the key. I only drive it every two or three weeks so I am hoping it is just battery related. I haven't driven it for two weeks. I do leave it unlocked when it is stood though (I thought not having it alarmed might save the battery!). I can hear the engine ticking when the ignition is on and when I go for the final turn of the key I hear a single short ping/crack which sounds like metal on metal (not too loud). After that when I let go of the key I hear a few relays click and there is noting else. The engine doesn't turn at all. The dash and intereor lights seem to work. Would a dying battery stop the engine from turning at all? Any thoughts much appreciated.
If it is flat you'll need to find out why of course. Batteries can suddenly fail - especially in a cold snap - hopefully that's all that has happened.
GSF usually have the best deals on price v quality of replacements if you need a new one.
If it's not the battery FFS don't let your mate down the pub who knows a bit about cars 'n stuff loose on it. Take it to a good auto electrician who knows what they are getting into.
GSF usually have the best deals on price v quality of replacements if you need a new one.
If it's not the battery FFS don't let your mate down the pub who knows a bit about cars 'n stuff loose on it. Take it to a good auto electrician who knows what they are getting into.
Still not got around to looking at it, I am booking it in for a service soon so will have a poke and post back. Can anyone here can comment on using a trickle charger to keep the battery topped up while it is still in the car,with the boot ajar? The manual warns of hydrogen gas build up from the charging process..
I just ordered a CTEK XS 7000 charger from Hamilton Classic, where I got my XJR cover from, and so should be charged up in the next few days. I hope that it fires up after a full charge with the battery out of the car. This charger will also permanently attach to the battery while it is in the car for trickle charging to keep it topped up. Will post back
TurricanII said:
I just ordered a CTEK XS 7000 charger from Hamilton Classic, where I got my XJR cover from, and so should be charged up in the next few days. I hope that it fires up after a full charge with the battery out of the car. This charger will also permanently attach to the battery while it is in the car for trickle charging to keep it topped up. Will post back
Very long flex? or solar powered?
Mains powered. I reverse up to a shed with mains in when parking so no problem getting power. This charger comes with crocodile clips and a hard wiring connector. I am just wondering how to hard wire a connector in so I can hook up without leaving the boot ajar under a car cover to get the power cable in.
You're unlikley to get a significant build up of Hydrogen with a trickle charger - especially a smart one which monitors the battery state and controls current according to demand. Some of the better ones pulse current which not only gives a more complete charge but reduces the risk still further.
You'll have the boot open and it's outside too so I'd not worry about it. Hydrogen is usually only produced in alarming quantities if you continue to pass a high current - several 10's of Amps with a big one - through a battery which is fully charged. I've seen them bubbling like a boiling kettle when on a commercial charger, and pictures of a battey room after an explosion, but I hardly think you'll do that to yours with a few milliamps from a trickle charger.
All batteries self discharge over time. I keep the battery from my boat permanantly connected up over the winter with a simple 7 day timer and a normal charger. It gets about an hour a week in total and this is enough to keep it charged.
You'll have the boot open and it's outside too so I'd not worry about it. Hydrogen is usually only produced in alarming quantities if you continue to pass a high current - several 10's of Amps with a big one - through a battery which is fully charged. I've seen them bubbling like a boiling kettle when on a commercial charger, and pictures of a battey room after an explosion, but I hardly think you'll do that to yours with a few milliamps from a trickle charger.
All batteries self discharge over time. I keep the battery from my boat permanantly connected up over the winter with a simple 7 day timer and a normal charger. It gets about an hour a week in total and this is enough to keep it charged.
TurricanII said:
Mains powered. I reverse up to a shed with mains in when parking so no problem getting power. This charger comes with crocodile clips and a hard wiring connector. I am just wondering how to hard wire a connector in so I can hook up without leaving the boot ajar under a car cover to get the power cable in.
I use a similar arrangement, with the car reversed up to my garage door (garage used for storing another car plus sundry junk). I've connected leads to the battery with bullet connectors on their ends, these ends sitting on top of the boot floor. Easy job then to connect the Cetek lead (I cut that and attached bullets) with the unit outside the car, closing the boot lid on the connecting cable - the rubber boot lid surround compresses enough to allow this. Been using the set up for a couple of years and it works well.Woo hoo! Charging the battery overnight with the CTEK XS 7000 did the job, the car runs perfectly now! The CTEK got pretty hot in the initial stages of charging but was cool when I got back to it. Thank god it's nothing more serious - just have to use the car as my daily driver to keep the battery sweet 
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