Bought a 1998 xj8, love the looks but boy is it becomming a nightmare. Ran great but then the trouble started. Battery started going dead,draw on battery for sure.

Put a test light on battery and cable and pulled every fuse in car to make it go out with no luck.

Yes I took the bulbs out of trunk light and had doors closed when pulling fuses on the heal boards. The only thing that happened was on the left hand heal board the f-9 10 amp fuse dimmed the test light and also the f-18 5 amp fuse also dimmed the test light when I pulled it out.

I am baffled. The first fuse is labled head unit???? and the next was instrament pack???? I don't know what they are.Now I have been charging the battery and starting my car to keep it running but all of a sudden with a full battery I turn the key and it does nothing , no clicking or anything. could a starter short out and draw the battery?

About to blow my brains out because this is the only car that survived hurricane Sandy and ran great. Any suggestions would be great or where to find a good Jag mechanic in Manahawkin NJ.

Thank you in advance.

By the way I can not even find the starter if anyone knows where it is that would help so I can see if it is getting power to it when I turn the key.

 

Hi robglbi3,

I sympathise with your issue but please hang in there.

It sounds as if you've lost all electrics, a fuse, a short or something amiss!

I am not up to scratch on your model but be patient, some of the more knowing guys will be up to helping you.

Don't give up we are on your side!
Good Luck, Stu

 

Welcome to the forum Robglbi3,

Good to have you here with us at Jaguar forums.

Follow this link XJ ( X308 ) XJ8 / XJR - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the X308 forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues.

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You can also visit the US North East Region forum by following this link North East US - ME NH VT MA RI CT NJ NY PA - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to find other members in your region.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

Welcome to the forum robglbi3,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.

 

welcome

 

Hi Rob,
Take a deep breath, count to 10 and lets start again. A drain on the battery normally will take time to find, so we have to break it down.

To answer your questions, the "head unit" is the radio and the "instrument pack" is your dials and gauges.

You should get yourself a clip on ammeter capable of measuring DC amps.

If you have the auto lights function, make sure it is switched off. Switch off the switch on the side of the steering column.
When you take the key out of the ignition, make sure the little flap is closed in the barrel.

You should be looking at a drain of 30mA or less after the car has completed its shutdown sequence.

When you find the starter, disconnect the cabling, clean the connections and refit making sure they are tight. While you are doing this, also check/clean the grounds in the engine bay.

This should give you something to be going on with. Work through it and post back your findings.

Hope this helps,

 

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First place i would look for a no astart with good battery is the the bulkhead fitting at the ecu cool box passenger side engine compartment. These are notorius for loosening, melting and not letting the battery charge when running and then eventually youll have no power...isnt this where youre at

 

Thank you, I will try all that you said, not sure what you mean by the barrel but I will look at the key hole. I have to find the starter first, I am a ford guy this is a whole new game. Thanks for your info on the fuses

 

Thank you, I do have a draw on the battery which is going to be a nightmare to find,must be a broken wire somewhere. I will do what you said, it is so odd that all of a sudden it won't turn over at all,now I have two problems..