SO today after a crappy day of golf I started up my car and backed up then all the sudden the Battery light came on and the dial went to 9(might have been that way just noticed it after the light came on). Then a few minutes later the Engine, I think top left light, came on and I kept going then the ABS and the traction control came on then about 10 minutes later the airbag warning displayed. I was able to drive home which was about 15 miles. However, when I had to stop and then go the vehicle had no acceleration. When I got home the car would not start again

So I looked in the manual and of course and it said when the battery light comes on it is the alternator. So off I went to take it out, which was not fun, took it to the auto store to get it check out and it was fine. Battery is a year old so that can't be it.

So the only thing that it could be is the ECM? What was interesting was that my diagnostic tool could not speak to the ECO BUT I am not sure if that was just because the power was so low.

So looking for some input on what to check next. I still have a spares car and I assume that the ECU is OK so if I need to do that I will but don't want to until everyone chimes in.

Help Please

Here is the latest. I charged the battery, started the car drove around and the car is not charging even though the Alternator is good. I was able to the the OBD2 talking to the care but is showed no errors.

 

Today's batteries are junk , have them test it

There is a alternator regulator excitation fuse # 10 / 5 amp RH engine fuse box and some items wired into the same fuse that can cause that excitation to the alternator problems .

You can check the battery's connections

 

well it was the fuse but i replaced it and it blew again

 

OK , unplug the sounder unit on the lower shelf just fwd and outboard of the wiper fluid cap . It's a big black square thing with 2 wires . And remove the 2 or 1 washer pump relays ( R7 and R8 ) . And the A/C clutch relay ( L3 ). Pull apart and clean the 2 square connectors with about 10 wires each below the wiper fluid fill cap , the most important is the White / Blue wire in position 2 on the black connector and a second wire White / Blue in position 4

 

Ok got the sounder motor disconnected where are the washer relays. are those by the sounder box and there are three relays there

 

ok now got one of the washer motor relays out. Not sure where the clutch relay is

 

Yes see the pic and text as you refresh the page in the above edited post

 

i dont see l3 on the diagram

 

You can go ahead and try it as the high percentage bad item is the sounder .

 

ok I will replace the fuse and see if that does it

 

closest to the center on the left side . They come apart easier with some penetrating spray

 

nope blew again

 

Then you'l need to do all the things in the previous text .Getting closer .

 

the only plug like that is in front of the left side fuse panel. could that be it

 

Hi cdma,

It looks like Lady P has you on the right track, but for the sake of others reading your thread, please tell us the year, model and engine of your Jaguar.

Cheers,

Don

 

1997 XJ6L

 

ok got the connects pulled apart. do i clean the connectors or leave them unplugged while i try another fuse

 

I updated the pic on post # 4 for the A/C clutch relay # 3 . It is a large one on the back side of the radiator wall as it extends out . Don't yank it out as the whole assembly can pull out and pull the wires .

 

Many engine regulation wires go through the connectors including the fuel pump turn on circuit so you would have to look and judge it's condition and reconnect . l do have a source for a new connector(s) if needed .

 

going to take some sandpaper to the connector as they look clean but seem to be a little oxidized. so when i get them clean and put back together and fusses pulled and ac removed do I then go ahead and try again. by the way post 4 looks the same unless i am missing it. sorry to be such a pain.