Hi, I have a 2001 xj8 4.0 litre. a week ago I had my alternator checked, it was bad so I replaced the alternator and battery. After the repair, at first my info center on the dash would go on and off reading battery not charging. So I checked the voltage, car running 14.61, car off 12.61. After a few days of dash info going on and off. It now has stayed on, checked battery voltage , now car running, , 11.87, car off,12.41. I also found my positive battery cable at the battery very hot, cant even touch it, negative cable cold. I did have to solder on a new plug that plugs into the back of the alternator, I made sure I only connected one at a time and connected them properly. I would appreciate advice on what could be the problem, I understand it could be a few different things, Thank you. Mark .(xjag801)

 

A bad connection, or wire breakage in the cable just upstream of the connector
will cause a hot connection.

 

Agreed.

Alos the 14.61v is "right up there" on the permitted voltage scale. That could explain the dash doing wierd stuff, overvoltage can/will reek havoc.

It appears to have settled, and the dash is alive again, I reckon those 2 are connected somehow.

The HOTcable like that is usually a very bad connection, or something is dead short to earth. That could be the voltage regulator inside teh alternotor, they do that at times, or as Plums said.

It needs looking at seriously.

It also appears to be "draining" when running. The running V is lower than the non-running V.

Back to basics, alternator #1, then whatever may have been "fidddled" with to attach said alternator, usually finds the culprit.