What implications can result in disconnecting the battery. I disconnected the battery on my x300 and now for whatever reason it will not start again. Just wondering what I might of upset in the car electronics.

 

I would guess either have not gotten the connectors making a good electrical connection, you did something other than disconnecting the battery which has caused the problem, or you have experienced bad luck and something has crapped out just as you were messing with the battery. And those are about the ONLY choices!

 

A little more detail could help.

1. totally dead
2. lights on in the Instrument Pack
3. starter clicks
4. starter turns

And something else that could be relevant. Why did you disconnect the battery?

Graham

 

Why did you remove the battery in the first place ?

give us more details as Graham mentioned above.

 

Hi, the reason for the battery disconnect was to try and fix the tilt motor on the steering column. I took the washer out as described by mish mish thread. Perhaps it wasn't nessary to disconnect the battery for this, not sure. Every thing works apart from the engine! Lights, instruments, engine turns over, just wont fire. I have replaced the fuel pump thinking it may be that. Not sure where to turn now. Any ideas please?

 

Sounds as though your battery might not be delivering enough oomph to fire her up. Might be no harm to put a meter across it and check for voltage, alternatively, are you sure your connections are all good and tight? Earth strap all good and solid? Also, when tightening up the negative terminal clamp, the bolt can shear off, so be careful, but check out the above for starters (no pun intended).

 

i Am not sure but maybe you should click on the inertia switch ? Guyz here know more about this.

 

Ok, so I suspect the problem is related to re-assembly of the steering column. I do not know the procedure you followed for fixing the tilt, but if you were near the ignition switch itself, have a good look at the connector to see if it is dislodged. Then all of the other connectors.
Do you own a 12 volt test lamp? You can either start changing parts until you run out of money, or you can use logical troubleshooting techniques and follow out the circuits to find the problem in a few hours (or less). Just say if you need help.

 

seeing that everything works, and you too apart the steering column, could you have damage the wires to the ignition switch? (oh, Ross just said that)

 

Seems like a good start, huh Tim?

 

I've disconnected my battery a couple of times. Only things I noticed were the clock resetting and the (aftermarket) stereo reverting to demo mode. I have the factory Jaguar alarm system too, and that didn't seem to care.

 

You have a UK spec car which is fitted with a security chip in the ignition key. When the car is immobilised the fuel injection is disabled so the engine will crank but cannot fire (as there is no fuel). There is a coil around the ignition switch barrel that is used to check the chip in the ignition key when it is inserted into the ignition switch. If it's the correct key the immobiser is disabled and the car will start. The coil is enclosed in black plastic and clips around the outside of the ignition barrel and connects to the steering column wiring loom using a small 2 pin plug. The wiring to this coil as it left the factory is fairly secure and would not work loose on it's own but as you have been working on the steering column it is worth checking in case it has been disconnected or damaged. If you have a second key it could be worthwhile trying it first to eliminate the (unlikely) possibility of a faulty chip in the key that you are using.

A possible alternative reason which is completely unrelated to the steering column is a faulty crankshaft position sensor. If this is faulty the engine will crank but not start. It is said that you can check this by observing the rev counter while cranking. If the rev counter shows a small reading then the sensor is OK. A clue here may be if you had problems with intermittent starting prior to this as the crankshaft position sensor is known to intemittently fail before failing completely.

 

I'm with Ross on this one....Rob you might've shoulda titled the thread, "Disconnecting the Steering Column.." lol.
Back to basics, I take your previous post to mean it is cranking good-n-strong, so Fuel/spark/Air and Bob's yer Uncle! I assume as part of the Fuel pump R&R at some point you checked for pressure at the rail? Air is kinda hard to take away if it is cranking good...so that leaves "spark" and hey, weren't you just mucking about in the pathway spark comes thru? Probably should find an Elec. guide and start tracing the "Ignition" circuit paying particular attention to any path it makes through the steering column.

Like Oubadah, I've accomplished multiple battery disconnects with no ill effects....now...having said that...I'll no doubt be back here or on PM next time I disconnect it..."Rob! What was the problem that time you disconnected the battery and then it wouldn't start?" Good luck and keep us posted.

 

I'm still trying to figure out why the fuel pump was suspected?

 

Hey everyone thanks for the replies. The car is now purring like a ***** cat again. Turned out to be fuel pump related. Just coincidence that I was messing around with the steering column which went up and down once incidentally and stopped again!! Love British cars. That's why my other two are foreign.

 

rob:
It is really bad etiquette to come ask for help on a battery, later admit there was a fuel pump involved, and then not admit what really happened! Just sayin...