Good morning to all.

Having a problem with a 2003 X-Type 3.0l V6, the battery light on the dashboard lights up while driving. Seems to be an intermittent problem. We have taken the vehicle to have diagnostic testing done on it. Diagnostics showed that the charging rate was to low. we were advised to have the Alternator replaced. This was done and subsequently having had the old alternator bench tested it has been found that there is nothing wrong with the old Alternator. However the battery light still comes on while driving. When the car is switched off the light goes out.
I've been reading that it could be a problem with the main cable from the battery to the alternator, is this true and how do we test this? what could be the cause of the cable breaking down?

Any advice or help with this problem would be greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome to the forum Denise,

I've moved your question from General Tech Help to X-Type forum. Members here with the same model will be able to help.

Please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some info about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

 

Main tip I have read is to feel the battery cables after a drive and see if either feels very hot.

 

To narrow things down take the car for a ride and turn on everything possible AC, seat heaters, rear glass defrost, lights the works. As soon as the light comes on pull over and put your hand above each of the battery cables. Is one of them too hot to touch? That will be where to start your search.
Every time my battery light has come on I have removed the cable connectors and polished them cable end and the battery post, reinstalled tightly and light goes away.
The first time I encountered this my negative connection was so hot that within a couple of inches I knew don't TOUCH!
Corrosion in the cables themselves is a known problem and will cause the problem you are seeing.

 

One of our X-Types showed exactly this intermittent behaviour of the warning light . My wife would report that the light came on but it never happened while I was driving the car...so I ignored it. After all, the Jag ran perfectly normally...until one day last December it would not start.
Yes, it was indeed the failing battery (and not a problem with cables or connections) that was causing the warning light to come on. The battery, when I replaced it, was exactly 6 years and one month old. It had a 6 year warranty. Ah well...
In any case, new battery, problem solved for the next 6 years but this time I will replace it *before* the warranty period expires so I won't be fiddling with a battery in December weather.

 

Good morning.
Thank you all for your replies on this problem. I have printed out the replies to show to the workshop that is dealing with my father's car. Hopefully it will now get sorted out.