1998 XK8 Conv.
I'm sure this will have been covered but i couldn't find a sticky with exact same problem(s).
Today for the 1st time got a battery not charging msg on the dash and the dash dial dipping to the left, got me home ok, i've not done anything to the car to cause this.
Earlier this week i was getting a failed rear bulb msg on the dash - and now this, i haven't had time to change bulb (which one?)
The failed bulb is one of the o/s rear - when you brake and indicate the all the red lights on that cluster blink weakly as well as the indicator/blinker.
Short? Fuse? any thoughts?
I've not tried a hard reset.
Hoping for a quick fix, i was planning a trip on Sunday !!

 

have the BATTERY CHECKED if you have not it may be toast. If you can get it to a parts place, many of them can load test it in the car! Dead batteries are one of the top things to cause "all of the sudden" weird things to happen to gauges, error codes out of the blue, door windows loosing settings, you name it a weak to dead battery can cause it, or you have a bad alternator. My bet is on the battery.

 

May just be a bad alternator but check the fuseable links and connections in the trunk behind the spare tire.


Dave

 

IMHO you have two separate issues here.

The 'rear bulb fail' together with all of the bulbs lighting together sounds like a bad earth in the O/S lamp cluster. Remember - it's a Ford.....
Check the edge connector for weak springs and make sure that the pads on the lamp PCB are clean. You could add the additional separate grounding wire as a belt n' braces.

You've doubtless seen noterman's recent epic with this problem. His turned out to be a bent pin; although you haven't disassembled anything there's lots of tips on other things to check. If the dash clock is showing low voltage it's likely that the message is valid and it's not charging properly for whatever reason, although-
Finally but firstly (is that a word?), if/when the car goes on an acid trip it will do no harm (and minimal to no cost/effort) as brgjag says to get the battery checked..


Good luck,
Mike

 

Hi my previous XK8 spent half it's time on RP on the dash, this one has never had one in the 5 months i'v had it. no signs of the battery being on the way out.
No signs that the alternator was on it's way out.
Do i just try disconnecting and reconnecting stuff?
cheers for your time so far guys.

 

Have you tried checking the voltage at the battery with the car running and with it not to see if there is actually a charge happening?
Also check the 2 wire plug on the back of the alternator and make sure its clean and seated,


Dave

 

the car could start just fine and run fine with FEW errors if no error codes. Most here would say go get the battery checked first, load test!

 

Oh - i just remembered - for the 1st time too - when i open the car (not from the remote, i always open it with the key) i reach in, put the key in and turn the ignition on so the alarm doesn't go off ... today - i did that procedure BUT the alarm still went off - i just assumed i hadn't turned it on properly ... i don't start the car, just turn the ignition on...
any clues there?
I know get battery tested - i'm doubtful it's that as no hint before.
Can the alternator just give up the ghost with no warning? cheers

 

Yes an alternator can croak with no warning at all.


Dave

 

Mine did.
Plenty of warnings afterwards - all wrong, mind. Pulsing lights, trac fail, stab fail, Gearbox fault. But just as likely to die silently.

 

London,

As you have two indications, both saying the same thing, it's probably true that the battery really is not charging. If so, the battery is weakening as you drive and the car will soon fail to start without a fix.

Do you have a voltmeter?

 

no - i don't have volt meter, and i wouldn't know what to do with one if i did - looks like a trip to my local Jag Indie - last time he charged me £240 to fit a £7 cooling fan sensor ... - hope it's not a new alternator required ... first thing he always says is 'we'll do a diagnostic' i guess rubbing his hands at the same time cheers for trying Guys.

 

i did buy a reader for my last XK8 but when i plugged it in - i couldn't get it to do anything i could understand - ie give me codes to post on here...
i honestly think it's a short or something small... i'll try unplugging a few things tomorrow.

 

That "not charging" light -- confirmed by what you described the voltage gauge doing -- is a pretty strong indicator that the alternator is not making voltage. Doesn't necessarily mean it's toast, but good chance that's where the trouble is.


If you have no battery charger, it would be best not to start the car more than necessary before taking it somewhere. A trusted non-Jag-specialist can probably take care of this.

 

Thanks guys - will the Jag Indie diagnostic pick up on shorts or a connection problem to the alternator?

 

I will say I admire your optimism that it's just a wire issue, and yes the electrical lines can be checked rather easily. Just so you understand if there were a open to the gauge/light (Dennis we just went thru this with the other guy) it's a direct connection, so if bad I'd suspect you'd see NO charging, not reduced. The line going to charge the battery is separate as well so two wires being bad going to different places? You could fairly easily check the plug is seated and no corrosion where it connects to the alternator. This would be my first suggestion.

 

Thanks for taking the time - the msg says battery not charging not reduced charging.
Out of the blue? This car has gave absolutely no indication of any problems other than a failed rear bulb before this.
If the alternator has just suddenly failed then - that may well be the problem of course.
can you tell me exactly where and what plug to check - could be something as daft as that (fingers crossed) cheers

 

Something can just die you have to remember your car is almost 20 years old, depending on what he PO has done as far as repairs. Here's 2 pics one of the charging circuit and one of the connections on alt, it's (us) front right under air cleaner box.

 

It's going into the Jag Indie tomorrow - i'l let you all know how much he stings me for cleaning and reconnecting a few connections ... or will it be the alternator ? Hope not

 

Hi, is there not a car accessories shop on the way to the garage? They would be able to test the battery and let you know if it was the alternator a connection or the battery. At least they do up here and for free. Alternators have carbon brushes which wear and stop the unit form working and also a zena diode which can fail and stop it charging. Best of luck hpoe is something minor.