Jaguar XJ6 - V6 Sovereign - 56 Plate - Help Needed!

[Jane121]

Bought my Jag and love it, however ive had a lot of problems with warning lights on it. Had a Jag tech out to check it over and showed that the battery needed replacing. Put a new battery on it but still the warning lights appeared ie Parkbrake, Cruise, DSC, Suspension etc. Called him out again and he checked the alternator which he confirmed also needs replacing. Will get that done shortly.

However the main concern now since putting a new battery on is that when I turn the windscreen wipers on, the car cuts out... this didnt happen before with the old battery. The Tech is worried that it may have 'spiked'... dont really know what that means... does anyone have any ideas or suggestions... and what other problems will this have caused.... any advice or help would be really appreciated, thank you

[Jaguar steve]

There is always a reason for a flat battery - in your case it sounds like replacing the flat one has cured the symptom but not the cause but as you've now been told the alternator is not charging the new battery either then that's the most likely source of the problem and it may be you didn't need a new battery at all.

Spiking is a term for brief voltage variation which damages electrical components. This might have happened as the alternator failed or during battery replacement. If for example the battery was disconnected or connected with the ignition on or the engine running or there were any components powered up this may have caused a problem.

I'd suggest you question the competence of the technician who has worked on your car and ask why he didn't spot the alternator was not charging the original battery before he changed it and make absolutely sure he knows what he is doing before you allow him to do anymore work

One cause of the symptoms you describe is a bad earth between the body and source of power. Worth getting all the earth straps cleaned and checked to rule this out

Edited by Jaguar steve on Wednesday 15th May 18:13

[Jane121]

Many thanks for your advice Steve

[Dodsy]

Jaguar steve said:

One cause of the symptoms you describe is a bad earth between the body and source of power. Worth getting all the earth straps cleaned and checked to rule this out

Start with the three earth straps at the front. Easy to get to just remove the plastic cover at the very front of the car and you should be able to easily spot 3 earth studs. Chances are when you undo them they are corroded and need a good clean up.

I had a similar problem which turned out to be a faulty instrument cluster , I hope this is not the same for you.

[Jane121]

Thank you will give all your suggestions a try... fingers crossed

[Jane121]

Just to give you an update and to thank you guys.

My Jag Tech came out again today and sorted all the problems, very quickly and very easily for a mere cost of £20!

To summarise:

The problems I had was numerous warning lights appearing in the first place. First port of call was the battery which needed replacing. Bought a new battery, I went for a Yuata, the warning lights still appeared but with the added problem of every time the windscreen wipers were turned on the car cut out.

Thanks to your advice, I checked the earth studs.. one was badly corroded, the other had more or less sheared off and left the leads making erratic connections.

The Jag guy came out and managed to relocate all the leads to another earth stud and now everything is working perfectly, no warning lights, windscreen wipers working and the car still running.

So for about £120 which included the new battery I am one happy bunny!

Now all I need to know is there anyone out there that wants to give my Jag a good clean and polish lolol

Thanks again guys and hope my story will help others if they have any similar problems