Here's my first question as a newbie. I've searched the owner's manual and used the search function here but didn't find my specific issues. (Apologies in advance if this is addressed somewhere here).

I had to replace the battery in the '09 XK. Prior to replacing the battery, the remote keys worked to lock/unlock the doors. I even did the steps to set it so the first unlock press unlocked the driver's door and the second press unlocked the passenger door. However, since replacing the battery, the lock button on the remote(s) doesn't lock either door. When I press the lock button, the lights flash and the mirrors retract, but the doors don't lock. I don't get any alarm, if that's relevant. The rear hatch button on the remote works as it should, i.e. it unlocks the rear hatch. Both remotes have new batteries.

Any help, suggestions or remedy is welcomed. Thanks.
Dave

 

What is the resting voltage at the battery terminals? I know you replaced the battery. They are often sitting on the shelf slowly draining over time. The symptoms you're describing are of a bad battery. Check the voltage at the terminal posts and then again at the terminal itself. Let us know what the voltage is.
Alternatively you can pull the battery, bring to the auto parts store and have them load test it.

 

Dave,
not trying to be a wise ***, but how do you know that the doors are not locking?

 

Thanks for that tip. I don't really have a way to check the voltage. But the new battery makes everything else work and we've driven it a couple of time since. Even with the new battery, I connect it to my battery tender, and it doesn't take long for the red charging light to go off indicating a full charge. I don't think it's a low/bad battery. Even with the old battery I replaced, when I would connect my Nocco battery pack it would start and the doors would lock.
I'm wondering if disconnecting the old battery and installing a new on has made it lose some kind of programming that needs to be reset. But I really don't know.

 

Good question. When I press the lock button, the lights flash and the mirrors fold in like it's locking, but I can open the door. Both doors are doing the same thing. As soon as I open a door, the mirrors fold back open.

 

When you say you can open the door how far away is the key fob? You can try and disconnect the battery, wait a minute and reconnect to see it the problem clears.

 

Maybe this is slap my forehead moment. When I try to reopen the doors, I'm right beside the car with the remote. Is that what I'm doing wrong? If so, boy do I feel stupid. I'll go out and try that right now. Will repost in a few minutes.................


THANK YOU ! Boy, do I feel dumb (but relieved). That was it. I locked the car, took the fob to another part of the garage, and voila, the doors are locked. Not sure why that didn't occur to me.
McJag222 if you're ever passing through east-central Indiana, I'll but you lunch and a beer.

Merry Christmas all.
Dave

 

Ya, the car is designed to be openable when you are near it with the key fob,

 

I guess I just didn't understand that feature on this XK. We have 5 other cars (Porsche, SL550, Ferrari, Range Rover and (wife's) Cadillac, and with each one you can lock the door with the fob, stand next to it with the fob in your hand, and the doors will stay locked.

Thanks again.

 

glad it was an easy fix.
John

 

David,

When in doubt, read the Owner's Handbook. Has anyone told you that one of your backup lights is out? That happens all the time, especially when you're filling up with gas.

North American market 4.2L models have only one backup light, on the passenger side. The other side is the fog light, which is closest to the center line of the road. Note that 5.0L models have 2 backup lights.

"Double locking" is not available on North American models because NHTSA deems it unsafe, as children can't open the doors from the inside. Double locking means that the car can't be opened from the inside without the Smartkey. When you try to double-lock your car, you'll get a double beep from the sounder. That's an error message, and not a confirmation that your car has been double locked.

Lots of quirks, but that's what makes it British.

I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.


Stuart

 

Thanks Stuart. I did search the owner's manual, but the specific issue didn't jump out at me. I should have put 2 and 2 together when it talked about needing to be within 3 meters for the fob to work, but I was thinking it worked like my other cars. Funny thing about the backup light. I noticed it when we were test driving it and mentioned it to the dealer. He isn't a Jag dealer and deals in used exotics. Perhaps he didn't know about it either. I told him I would take care of it, not realizing there was no problem. One of the first things I researched on this forum was that very topic, and learned it's one back up light, and one rear fog light. I haven't had it out enough yet for anyone to tell me I have a burned-out backup light. I'm sure it's just a matter of time.

My next "project" will be replacing the tires. They have plenty of tread, but are just at the aged-out point. Typical with my cars.......tire age out long before wearing out. Currently perusing Tire Rack for options.


Cheers.

 

It's on page 23 of the owners manual "keyless entry" - I figured that you may be a new owner David and that's what may be happening.

 

Graham will be on your case for committing the unpardonable sin of not fntroducing yourself in the intro forum first before posting here (I was guilty of that too)

 

I did post my introduction first. But he did chastise me for posting a pic in the XK/XKR forum instead of the photos forum. LOL.

 

Over ten years and I STILL have not done that.

 

The XK is exactly the same as your other cars. Pulling on the door handle is what unlocked it again. The car doesn't know the fob is there until you pull the handle which is what starts the process of the car sending a signal to look for the fob.

 

It's not the same as with my other cars. With my other cars, I lock the door(s) with the fob. And even if I am standing right next to the car with the fob in hand, they will not open.......they stay locked. This XK is different that way. Actually, the wife's Cadillac may work the same way as the XK, I don't drive it often enough to know. But not the others.

 

Don’t forget, the boot / trunk lid also works in the same way. It opens, whilst the doors remain locked, so it’s easy to think the lock isn’t working. Ask me how I know 🫣

 

If you mean that to unlock all of your other cars you have to press a button on the fob then yes the XK is different to them. Your other cars don't have passive entry from the sounds of it but I am surprised because it has been common on cars for many years. Even my 13 year old Subaru Outback has it!