OMG! My 2007 XJ8 sedan (purchased last Oct.) has such problems when the battery dies! Why is it such a chore to jump? The parkbrake gets stuck, and I cannot shift into any gear! Could not find instructions, but my son-in-law somewhere found that the parkbrake has to be reset? The battery has to be disconnected for 30 seconds, and a small list of things has to be done. This car is used quite infrequently, and my fault that I did not start it up regularly, but HOLY COW....what a pain it is!!! Any easier way to get it in gear????? Many thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum Jerusha,

I've copied your question from New Member Area - Intro a MUST to X350 forum. Members here with the same model will be able to help.

Graham

 

It would certainly pay you to get a 'battery minder' type of battery charger. The currently favoured one is the CETEK.

They come in all sizes - I have a 3.8 amp one and it works just fine. The advantages are:

- you don't need to disconnect the battery while charging, or minding;

- it automatically ramps back the charge rate and settles in battery monitoring and trickle charging mode when the battery is fully charged;

- it can be left permanently connected to the battery (so you just need to disconnect the mains [110v where you are I guess] ); the back discharge rate is very very low.

But ... don't buy one from Jaguar, it's really a CTEK with a Jag label on it and a highly inflated price (like double, at least it is here in the UK).

I have left my XJ for over two weeks (nearer three) between runs and it's always started sweet as a nut.

BUT leave a note in front of the speedo saying 'CHARGER !' otherwise ... TWANG ... (as I know).

 

If you allow a battery to run down for long periods, the lead plates corrode into lead sulfide. This shorts the plates and destroys the battery. I have let my car sit for 2 months with no maintainer, and it still starts fine. I think you need a new battery, and then don't let it run down!

On a side note, all the computers in this car communicate over a bus system. When you let the battery go dead, the memories of some computers get dumped, and it causes the mess you experience. The solution is not to ever let the battery run down.