I disconnected the negative battery cable for a little over an hour, hoping clearing things will make the car run better. Not a good idea? I did it in the past with no problems. Now when I try to start the car, a 2003 S Type with a NA 4.2 motor, it just clicks, the speedo and tach go up and down erratically and the car doesn't turn over or start. It also displays ABS Fault, but fuses are fine for ABS. I never had any problems with the ABS or the car not starting before. Any thoughts on the matter? Is the battery ready for replacement? Thanks for any input.

 

Possible failing battery....first double check battery connections to be good and tight...if still no start, undo battery connections and charge with minimum 10 amp charger, preferably overnite...check battery voltage.,.should be 12.6 minimum.....if battery checks good then will have to start checking electrical...also check the main ground cable at the battery where it is attached to vehicle body....it has to be corrosion free and solid

 

I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!

 

Thanks for the input. I kind of figured that it was the battery. I think that it's the original battery in the car. The voltage was below 12 volts and I drove the car about a hundred miles the other day, so it should be charged. Hopefully a new battery will take care of everything.
I see different methods for installation of a new battery. Should I touch the positive and negative cables together for a "Hard Reset" or not? Should I put Vaseline on the terminals before installation or leave dry? Should I do the throttle reset by slowly depressing gas pedal all the way and hold for 5 Seconds and repeat? In the owner's manual it just says to reset the parking brake, windows anti-trap function, trip data, clock, and radio. Thanks

 

when you install the new one, a lot of parameters will rest on their own without the touching of cables....i like the felt washers that go on the battery itself for corrosion protection...follow ownwers manual instructions and you will be fine

 

thanks Karl.....but you know I learned most of what I said from you....so, thanks teach

 

Don't use Vaseline. On a hot day, it will melt and leave a mess. The stuff to use is dielectric compound, the same stuff sold at any parts store for use on spark plug boots.

Two schools of thought on how to apply. For the sake of simplicity, I've assigned a non-judgemental name to each:

My method, which we'll call "The Right Way", is to apply a light coating to the post and inside the terminal before assembly.

Don's method, which we'll non-judgementally call "The Wrong Way", is to assemble dry and then apply the compound on the outside.




Details here:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ection-176446/