Last week as posted here I had some odd ball gearbox default and CEL all at once. No prior issues. Next am it was gone and CEL went off.
Today after sitting for 4 days I think the car would not start. It was turning over but not NORMALY. Sorta drag starting. Noticed volt/amp (what ever its called) gauge in car was not reading where it normally does. Threw on battery charger for about 15 min and got it started and gauge is back to normal.
How can I tell how old the batt is, if that is possible? Any way I can tell while driving it if ALT is not charging?
Just seems after car had been running so well then all of the sudden all of this, I may have a batt/charging issue.

 

I guess I could take batt out and have a autozone place test it?

 

That sounds like you are on the right track.

 

Can the ZONE'S charger maching thingy handle a batt sized as ours is. I am going to assume till I get this resloved I should not put the top up and down, or use heated seats or anything that would make the batery work or once car is running all that is off the ALT?

 

can I go factory (from jag) or after market if I need a batt? Should I throw on a alt. also for ****s and grins.

 

Any action on the battery will cause it to discharge and depending on the usage and the deterioration of the battery the alternator may or may not compensate. In other words you may become stranded. Can auto zone charger charge this battery? Yes! Chances are you are wasting your time. You can obtain a battery of that size and dimensions from Interstate, AutoZone, Sears and many other places and I am sure someone will chime in with recommendations. My recommendation is not to compromise in the amp size of the battery requirements. I would also mention that it is mounted in the trunk and should be vented properly. Getting a battery from Jaguar is OK if you want just make sure you do not need to sign over your first or second born to pay for it.

 

Just be sure that you buy one with a vent tube. Without it you are venting hydrogen into the trunk which may provide a little surprise.

 

Doesn't the AZ Pep Boyz places have the battery testers that can tell you it the batt is good or bad, and will these jag batts fit in the machine they use?
I have to assume the Jag dealer price will be WAY OUT THERE compared to an aftermarket, etc.
I do notice that when I turn the key on but car is not running the gauge is reading at the white line before the mid way mark. Is that good. When I am cranking it to start it drops a little below that line then once running is reading at the center line, the needle is.

 

excluding a dealer, what is a good source to find these batteries?

 

Not good!

The auto parts stores can check your battery in place and determine the issues with the entire charging system . . . . for free.

Remember . . . . vented battery.

 

What do you mean check it IN PLACE?

 

meaning I prob need to leave it behind for a few hours to let some young kid hack look at it or they can wheel out some small cart that can test what ever?

 

Yes that is correct.

 

yes that is correct to which point I made in my last post? ha ha ha

 

Fill me in on the vent on the Batt, Just replace mine with an Interstate, The old Batt did not have a vent tube coming off of the Batt nor did my new one, Does it vent thru the floor?

 

I am looking for a photo. All it is is a vent tube from the top of the battery out to the out side of the car (small hole in battery compartment).

 

what happens if I take batt off and back in. No odd window issues or this or that will take place? Just clears any codes the car would have thrown? Maybe my Gearbox fault and CEL was a computer glitch?

 

Removing the battery will reset all systems in the car but that is not a bad thing. Windows will have to be reset and the ECM/TCM will have to trim out fuel and shifting but will do so automatically.

A couple years ago I was shopping for an XK8 to replace Black Beauty that died in an intersection. Of about 8 cars that I looked at, only 2 had the vented batteries. The correct battery has a vent tube toward the front and a small hose vents the hydrogen gas through the floor board.

The release of a highly explosive gas into the sealed space of the trunk is a bad thing.

 

Group 49 batteries have a vent, the vent may be from the middle, the batteries should come with a vent tube kit which can be added (short plastic tube included) to the tube already in place.
Look for a 950/1000 CCA battery. Replacement batteries may be a little shorter in height, I've used wooden shim to adjust.

Good Luck

 

Hello Bob! Good to see you back on the web. How are things for you? Do you still have the car?