Hi guys,

I am about to replace my battery with Interstate MTP-49/H8 ... I suppose it should be straightforward right?

1. unhook the ground cable
2. unhook the positive cable
3. unhook the vent tube
4. remove battery
5. put new battery
6. hook up vent tube
7. hook up ground cable
8. hook up positive cable
9. program windows and radio and enjoy the ride

as simple as that?

 

Pretty much. Though I don't remember having to reprogram the radio in my 04.

 

Thx..will buy battery tonight

 

That's it... The radio will most likely ask for the security code. It did for me at least. You will have to reset the foldable mirrors and seat/steering wheel position memory too...

 

my 03 jag, how do I know if my car has foldable mirrors?

 

I didn't realise not all XK100s had this. It's been a while since I used the functionality so don't quote me on this but I think it should happen when the mirror selector is in center position (neither mirror selected) and you hold the joystick down or something like this... I can check tomorrow...

 

Not unless you use a battery jump box like I do. I hook the jump box up to my cables before I disconnect the old battery. No loss of radio stations, security, etc. Rich

 

Mirror bit from the owner's manual below. On my car's build sheet power fold back was an option so you may not have it.

 

Reverse the sequence for (7) and (8). Refit the Ground cable after the Positive.

Graham

 

Good eye Graham. Reinstall cables, positive first, ground second to reduce, eliminate a spark which could ignite battery acid fumes as well as damage electronic components. Rich

 

I see things like this at Pep Boys, etc. where it is basically a 9-volt cell with an adapter that you plug into your cigarette lighter and it presumably retains the various settings when you remove a battery. It that what you have?


Doug

 

Hi Doug, I have a jump box purchased at West Marine. Cost is around $ 50 - $ 60 on sale. Charges with house current. I carry this jump box with me on my boat, in my classic cars. The box will supply you with over 12 volts to start any vehicle with a dead battery as a back up.
Try to stay away from the units with air pumps, or other devices as all it does is reduce the size of the internal battery. Well worth the investment. Rich

 

The reason that it's negative/ground cable 'off' first and 'on' last is to avoid creating an accidental electrical circuit through the tool to the ground of the car. The 'circuit' might include the person holding the tool.

Sparks at the terminals will be created no matter which order the cables are attached.

 

I guess if you come from an era where they use the Positive as ground!

 

Guess you've never owned an aluminum boat.

If you were holding a metal tool on the positive terminal and touched the metal body of the car (boat), how is that not completing an electrical circuit?

 

No, fiberglass or wood only way to go. Electrolysis/ salt water and aluminum do not mix.
I too guess proper procedures assumes one has the knowledge on how to use tools!.
REB

 

Presuming that you're just 'not getting it' from a technical point of view and not being a troll, a tool touching any metal piece of a car while attached to the positive terminal will create a direct short.

This can accidentally happen to anyone irrespective of their skill level.

No short will occur if the negative cable is removed first.

 

Update:

Did it over the weekend...nice and simple...just have to re-program the windows and seats....other than that...the new battery got rid of a lot of Gremlins...I get "DSC fault" from time to time and my abs code C1145 is gone...for now at least...we'll see if it comes back on which means something is wrong with the speed sensor cable.

 

Thanks for posting back "job done". Always good to get successful closure to a thread.

Graham