XK / XKR ( X150 ) 2006 - 2014

Adaptive Headlight Failure Due to Weak Battery

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 17, 2018 | 10:31 AM
  #1  
rhemler's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
Lightbulb Adaptive Headlight Failure Due to Weak Battery

I have my car scheduled to have the battery replaced as it's on it's last legs (load tested), but in the interim I've had a few obviously bad battery symptoms (weird lights on and off, check engine light that records every possible code when connected to a obd, etc..).

But last night, I made the mistake of leaving the radio on, when to start, wouldn't go, but all of the other stuff came on, headlights started leveling while the car was trying to start, it shut off right away lights kind of flickered (started to level)... and I let it sit for a few minutes. Was able to start the car no problem, the headlights came on, and both adjusted horizontally, but just don't go up. I thought it would fix itself overnight after I left it on the trickle charge, to no avail AFS still flashing, and lights still pointing down, but are adjusting appropriately horizontally.

I know this must be related to the battery or something caused by it, so my question is how do I fix this? My concern is even with the new battery, that the issue will remain, did something short circuit? Or is there something I can reset/or have reprogrammed?
 

Last edited by rhemler; Mar 17, 2018 at 12:44 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2018 | 04:25 PM
  #2  
pwpacp's Avatar
Veteran Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 551
From: Georgia
Default

I wouldn't fret until the new battery is fully charged and in place. New batteries do not come fully charged so you'll need to make sure that is done before you troubleshoot any of the noted problems.

I'm pretty sure you'll find that the gremlins will all go away after installation and you follow all of the reset procedures (windows, e-brake, etc.).
 
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2018 | 06:40 PM
  #3  
Ranchero50's Avatar
Veteran Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 978
From: Hagerstown MD
Default

Reduced voltage requires more current to do the same thing. Hopefully you didn't nuke the modules.
 
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2018 | 09:52 PM
  #4  
rhemler's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by Ranchero50
Reduced voltage requires more current to do the same thing. Hopefully you didn't nuke the modules.
That's what I'm hoping didn't happen. The lights do level horizontally just not up and down like normal. Am I right in understanding that if there is any error or fault registered (which I know a battery can erroneously do when low) that the lights are programmed to point down for safety (?) reasons so as not to be blinding other drivers?
 
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2018 | 02:58 AM
  #5  
Aonsaithya's Avatar
Veteran Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 269
Default

Interesting that the lights on your car would still level horizontally, yet not vertically. I wonder, which of the two tests is normally performed first?

My car has adaptive headlights (they swivel when driving, and they're on the equipment listing), but it only does the vertical test. There's no fault codes, either. My mechanic has since confirmed that my car doesn't actually have adaptive headlights configured! I'm assuming that control module works independently of the rest of the car, which is why the lights still swivel as supposed to when driving, while the horizontal test is missing because the car only requests the vertical test from the module.
 
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2023 | 02:11 PM
  #6  
TexasXJR's Avatar
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: DTX
Default Exact same headlight issue

Originally Posted by rhemler


That's what I'm hoping didn't happen. The lights do level horizontally just not up and down like normal. Am I right in understanding that if there is any error or fault registered (which I know a battery can erroneously do when low) that the lights are programmed to point down for safety (?) reasons so as not to be blinding other drivers?
DId you ever resolve this? I am having the EXACT same issue with my 2008 XJR.
 
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2023 | 02:57 PM
  #7  
Cee Jay's Avatar
Veteran Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,905
Likes: 6,416
From: Kaysville, Utah, US
Default

Originally Posted by TexasXJR
DId you ever resolve this? I am having the EXACT same issue with my 2008 XJR.
Five year old thread, and he's not been on for almost four years. Your question will forever be unanswered.
 
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2023 | 04:29 PM
  #8  
McJag222's Avatar
Veteran Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 857
From: Vancouver BC
Default

Might get a reply

Last Activity: 09-04-2022 03:53 PM

Vehicle Info - Jaguar F-Type
 
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2023 | 05:42 PM
  #9  
Chris77's Avatar
Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 38
Likes: 61
From: Sutton Coldfield
Default

Have you checked the ground points?
Particularly the one in the front RH wheel arch which serves the lights
It is prone to corrosion and as happened to me can shear off completely
(see photos below before and after fix)


Earth lug in R/H front wheel arch completely sheared off

Used a short piece of aluminium bar to extend the cable and bolted it to the brake pipe bracket - there is a very convenient spare hole.
 

Last edited by Chris77; Feb 25, 2023 at 05:46 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2023 | 06:20 AM
  #10  
guy's Avatar
guy
Veteran Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,702
Likes: 1,696
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Default

OK, I’ll bite… what caused that fresh ground point break? It wouldn’t just split like that on her own; there’s no force on it.
 
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2023 | 10:08 AM
  #11  
McJag222's Avatar
Veteran Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 857
From: Vancouver BC
Default

Originally Posted by guy
OK, I’ll bite… what caused that fresh ground point break? It wouldn’t just split like that on her own; there’s no force on it.
Had exactly the same lug issue on the chassis behind the R/H wheel, totally corroded.When I placed a socket on there to remove the bolt sheared right off as soon as I turned the socket. A number of members have had a similar issue.


 

Last edited by McJag222; Feb 26, 2023 at 10:23 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2023 | 04:26 PM
  #12  
Chris77's Avatar
Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 38
Likes: 61
From: Sutton Coldfield
Default

Originally Posted by guy
OK, I’ll bite… what caused that fresh ground point break? It wouldn’t just split like that on her own; there’s no force on it.
The earth wires all go to a thicker loom, two of the plastic cable ties had given up so (I think) the weight of the loom was straining the ground stud.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
pbcs004
XK / XKR ( X150 )
15
Jan 23, 2019 08:31 PM
coldpad1
XK / XKR ( X150 )
5
Jun 28, 2016 04:10 PM
Mark in Maine
XJ XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR ( X350 & X358 )
13
Feb 3, 2016 06:19 PM
King Charles
XJ XJ8 / XJR ( X308 )
12
Jan 3, 2016 02:03 PM
solerunner
XJ6 & XJ12 Series I, II & III
5
Jun 13, 2011 12:36 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:41 AM.