While cleaning up the trunk (boot) in my recently purchased '97 XK8, I noticed a light gauge wire hanging out of the large bundle that is adjacent to the battery. It is red with green tracer, and is in a cable jacket with another red with green tracer. It has on the end of it what appears to be the remains of a corroded terminal connector. The wire is about 12" long and is not long enough to reach a connector or device in the immediate area that I can see. Maybe someone could look in their trunk and see where this wire goes in their car? I have attached a picture. Thanks.

 

It is probably for the transit battery isolation device. It disconnects the battery for it's trip across the world from the factory. XKs are different because of the way the windows operate (they drop slightly for the door to open) so it provides power to the windows ONLY and no power anywhere else until the ignition key is operated. They are removed by the selling dealer and returned to Jaguar and then the car is fully funtional. The wire harness is disconnected from the device, just dangles near the battery and now has no purpose.

bob gauff

 

^^^^unless it gets corroded and completes a connection between the 2 pins. Then the car wont shut off when you take the key out,, used to be a problem alot on s types with water in the trunk.

 

Brutal and Motorcarman, thanks for the quick response. I'll terminate this wire properly and put it back in the bundle.
Cheers.