Drove my 98 xjs home and just before getting there the radio started to lose power. I parked the car and when I tried to start it - nothing. Newer battery and will not jump start.

Could it be the altenator? Where should I start to look for the issue?

Thanks

 

Easy answer is to charge the battery enough to get the car to a local auto parts store for a free charging system evaluation.

Battery, connections, alternator, regulator . . . pick one. Yes . . . new batteries fail.

. . . and welcome to the forum!

Let us know what you find out.

 

On the pass side under the bonnet(hood) there is a connection coming from the alternator going to all power on the car. It will be on the front of the housing to the ecu with the black cover over it. You will see the large cable there. I have had two of these get corroded and cause what you are describing. I replaced an alternator to find out that was the problem on one of them. Good luck.

 

The car should start with a jump -- even with a bad battery as long as the other car is connected.

I have had an alternator fail and driven a car for miles to a service station on just one of those portable power packs sitting under the hood.


I would look for a connection problem ---- the one on the right bulkhead is the first to check.