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So I'm driving my car tonight, I'm on the freeway and the car shutters for a 2nd but then seems to go back to normal. Then it keeps throwing the tracs not available or asc not available, the abs light keeps going on but all this keeps going away. Then the car starts shutting off for a second, the lights fade the radio cuts out and back on, it seems like the engine is cutting out. At this point I'm trying to get off the freeway I get off the exit and now everything seems to be ok, so like and idiot I figure it's worked itself out and just keep going. The Trac and asc keeps flashing on and off but that's it. Then the cars starts shutting off again and more violently. Thenbit shuts off completely. No engine, no lights, nothing. I coast to the side of the road and that's when I realized that all this was happening when I went over a bump. Then I realized the stupid thing I had done. I pop the trunk to confirm it.
I had left the battery tie down undone and loose. It had fallen across the positive terminal and was touching the inside of the body. I could smell smoke and it apparently got so hot it welded the tie down to the car.
So how screwed am I? Did I completely dry my cars electrical system? Or will I just need a new battery and replace some fuses?
I feel like such an idiot and can't believe I made such a careless mistake!
Ouch, looks like some spot welding.
Pull out the multimeter and check the Mega Fuses ...in the spares well, toward the fuel tank.
Get the battery tested...
Look for any melted wiring...replace or repair what you can.
As you said, check the fuses and replace as needed.
When you get the battery tested, see if you can get the alternator done as well. You could have toasted the voltage regulator?
Ouch, looks like some spot welding.
Pull out the multimeter and check the Mega Fuses ...in the spares well, toward the fuel tank.
Get the battery tested...
Look for any melted wiring...replace or repair what you can.
As you said, check the fuses and replace as needed.
When you get the battery tested, see if you can get the alternator done as well. You could have toasted the voltage regulator?
What I'm really worried about is frying one of the cars delicate and expensive computer modules.
I'm hoping the fuses did their job and blew before anything got damaged.
Where are exactly are these Mega Fuses you speak of?
Don't panic, the only damage is to the strap and to the body panel (and that beautiful stamped number). The battery may have also sustained damage but, if it recharges fine and if it holds the charge, you can try to continue using it (unless it is already more than 3 years old).
The short was before any fuses or wires (except the negative battery cable) so no need to investigate. I would only check whether the negative battery cable, once everything is running, is getting warm/hot. If that is the case, replace it.
Don't panic, the only damage is to the strap and to the body panel (and that beautiful stamped number). The battery may have also sustained damage but, if it recharges fine and if it holds the charge, you can try to continue using it (unless it is already more than 3 years old).
The short was before any fuses or wires (except the negative battery cable) so no need to investigate. I would only check whether the negative battery cable, once everything is running, is getting warm/hot. If that is the case, replace it.
Seems like everything is fine. I got a new battery, it was needing a new one soon anyway, and everything fired right up afterwards. I couldn't find the other bolt for the tie down so I haven't driven the car yet but it all seems to be fine. I was definitely panicking there for a min but I'm happy to report things seem ok.
Just went to drive it up for the first time since putting in a new battery, I was imediately met with "restricted performance" on the dash and a CEL. Scanned the codes and got misfire codes p0306, p0307, p0308, as well as p1316 a jag specific code for rough idle, and p0357 "ignition coil malfunction." I'm wondering if I'm damaged my coil packs???
I didn't do a compression test as I suspect the misfire to be electrical not mechanical. I swapped all four coil packs to the other side, and it seems the misfire followed, its now throwing CELs for p0303 as well as p1316 & p0353. I guess I'll source a new coil pack and see if this goes away.
Just went to drive it up for the first time since putting in a new battery, I was imediately met with "restricted performance" on the dash and a CEL. Scanned the codes and got misfire codes p0306, p0307, p0308, as well as p1316 a jag specific code for rough idle, and p0357 "ignition coil malfunction." I'm wondering if I'm damaged my coil packs???
The coil packs couldn't have been damaged by the short at the battery. The only other thing that might have sustained some damage (but unlikely) is the alternator. Did you check the charging voltage at the battery (engine idling)?
I have to say I'm surprised at how in expensive those are, I would have expected them to be over $100 each. In the end I pulled some off an XJ8 in a junkyard. $43 for two of them with a 30 day warranty, I got 2 just incase the first one was no good and if it was to have a backup in another coil pack fails. Swapped it out on number 3 and everything seems to be working again.
Originally Posted by M. Stojanovic
The coil packs couldn't have been damaged by the short at the battery. The only other thing that might have sustained some damage (but unlikely) is the alternator. Did you check the charging voltage at the battery (engine idling)?
I have not checked the alternator voltage but I'll do that soon, Thanks. I just assumed it was related to the battery short because they are both electrical and they happened immediately after each other.
I dropped the car of at the shop today to get the tie rod replaced and I mentioned the coil pack failure. They asked me if I used an aftermarket coil pack, and I told them, no, I got one out of the junk yard and they said good. Aparently many of the aftermarket coils cause some issues in these cars. They didn't say specifically what issues but I can believe it based on some of the strange things that happen if the battery voltage begins to drop. Anyway thought I'd leave this here and pass along that info to anyone searching this in the future.
I really screwed up. How F-ed am I?
