Hi sorry this might get a bit long winded if im not making sense ill add photos tomorrow.

Yesterday on the way to work a red battery warning sign came up on the console. The car got me to work but when I tried to leave multiple orange warnings came up and car wouldn't drive (gearbox, dsc, etc).

Quick bit of googling suggested battery so I bought a new battery and put it in but before I even tried to start car I had a problem. There is a wire with a small plug on it (kind of like a mini phone plug) next to the battery I cant eork out where it came out off/where it goes. My first question is does anyone know what this is? (I can add photo tomorrow)

Anyway the car started and all the orange warnings were away but the red battery warning was still there but the car drove home fine. So I think the battery was dead but the problem isn't the battery but that the battery isn't getting charged? Can anyone confirm this? And is my next port of call a new alternator?

 

Sounds like you are headed in the right direction to me. Battery is not charging, but may be something other than an alternator. You need to get it checked B4 just replacing it.

 

I know exactly the plug you are taking about. I had the same question when I purchased my XF. Apparently it is something that you do not need to plug in anywhere and should be tucked in along side the battery. I was told it is something they install and use at the factory.

I was suprised to read the battery warning was still present after the replacement. It it persists, take it in and have it cleared/checked. The new battery should have solved the problem.

Please keep us posted!

 

Thanks for the reply. Where is the alternator? There are so many plastic covers under bonnet! And also what am I looking for if I'm checking it?

If my alternators fine is there anything else I can try myself before I have to take it to a garage where my wallet will presumably be sooked dry (I've never worked much on cars but am comfortable with anything that's a simple case of bolt old one off/bolt new one on)

 

Thanks for other reply too I'm glad I've got to the bottom of that plug I was thinking that might have been something to do with it but glad its ruled out.

I will keep you posted I don't think it's just a case of the message not being cleared though as the touch-screen let me clear the message/warning and it disappeared but it came back on the next time I started the car. Maybe I should just leave the car on for a while and see if the electrics start dying to rule that possibility out.

Where can I find out exactly what the warning pictures mean? I cant find it in the manual it just suggests taking the car to the dealer. Its a picture of a red battery with a triangle with an exclamation mark inside it. Does it just mean low battery or does it mean battery isn't charging or what?

 

Read this thread:
Amber and red warning triangles [Archive] - JaguarForum.com - The World's # 1 Jaguar Car Forum

 

Since the battery was replaced, I would suspect that the alternator is defective. But you should have the tech put an analyzer or meter on the alternator to see if it is charging properly. I read somewhere that there is a battery minder function on our cars that can only be reset by a Jaguar technician. Not sure what is involved, but you should consult your dealer about it.

 

The little plug is actually for venting gases created from the battery……it plugs right into the side of the battery (either side) and most batteries have a small hole for it.

 

There should be the vent hose (if XF has one) and also an unconnected electrical plug that's for the isolator when shipping (if it's like the S-Type, as I believe it is). On the S-Type tape up safely where it can't get shorted or cut but otherwise ignore for ever.

 

You can verify that the alternator is charging if you have a digital volt meter (multimeter). You can use it to check the voltage at the battery when the car is running. The battery voltage while running should be in the 14V range. If the alternator isn't charging the voltage will be less than 12V.

It's possible you have a blown fuse so you may want to check all the fuses using that multimeter.

 

Actually, to test a charging system properly, you must first charge the battery to somewhere in its normal operating capacity. After charging it you must allow it to cool down and not have any residual voltage increase due to the battery charger producing from 14-17 volts. Check the battery voltage with the engine off to check that the voltage is in fact 12 volts. Then start the engine and test for output with all accessories turned off. Record that voltage. Then turn lights, airconditioning and radio accessories on and observe the voltage. Normal voltage should be in the 13.4 to 14 volt range with accessories on. And with accessories off, it should be in the 12.4-14 volt range. Most of the alternators these days are pretty well built with voltage regulators that are pretty sensitive to prevent over charging of the battery. So when the battery is up to full operating capacity, they sort of go to sleep. This is why your voltage may vary even with the engine on. I have heard that our cars have a sophisticated battery minder feature which may indicate a bad alternator when testing when in fact the alternator is in good operating condition. Many times, a technician will replace both the battery and alternator as a set to prevent any further failure. Either one of those components could cause damage to the other as one begins to fail.

 

Thanks for all the replys.

Tested using methods described pretty sure its the alternator.

Car is in garage getting new alternator so hopefully pick it up and be back on the road in the morning.

 

Hello, I don’t know if anyone will see this since the thread is kinda old but I’m having the same problem as the OP and I’d like to know what ended up happening with the car. I had the red battery not charging warning along with the various other warnings and the car not running well. I replaced the battery but same issue. The shop said they checked the alternator and the starter and they all work fine, also no codes on the car’s computer so they thought there was no problem. Any help would be appreciated!

 

Check the small wire between the bms on the neg terminal to the positive that wire contains a fuselink, if blown or fractured, the warning light will come on.

 

My experience with this warning light is that it has been coming on and off rather intermittently for the last few days. Car cranks, starts and runs fine. Sometimes the warning light comes on when I first start the car, other times it comes on after a few minutes. Often goes off randomly, or when I turn lights on/off and/or rev the engine.

Does that suggest anything to anyone?

 

Also just tested battery as suggested by 2014 post by Mr Sharky. Read 12v initially engine off, 14.5v engine on, 13.8 - 14 with accessories on. So seems like battery is ok and is being charged. So why the intermittent warning light (note warning light was not seen during the testing, but of course I couldn't see it while I had the voltmeter on the battery as my head was in the trunk.....) ?

 

12V is very low, near dead

 

You need to see 12.3v minimum.

 

Indeed, battery was dying. I replaced the battery, which was at 12.3v when first installed. All warnings disappeared, car ran great, and the next day with engine off the battery was at 13.6v. Problem solved I thought. Two days later the "Battery Not Charging" warning light came on again. Went off after a few minutes, but now (two days later) the warning light is back on most (but not all) the time. Battery with engine off is back down to 12.6v. I have an appointment with local independent shop to trouble shoot, but finding such an intermittent fault could be a real challenge.

I note from the Tech Training note that the BMS is supposed to be recalibrated using IDS if a new battery is fitted, which of course I haven't done (what is IDS?).

Any thoughts on next step(s)?

 

You need to check the voltage across the battery with the engine running when the light is on.