So I always heard (here on the forum) that if your battery is not up to snuff it can cause all sorts of problems... I figured that even though my battery was on its last leg, since I don't drive the car a ton and it is on a tender when parked in my garage I was safe.

Well I recently had an issue with the door locks acting all goofy (the drivers lock (inside handle) would toggle back and forth a few times and the passenger lock wouldn't open or close automatically)... I figured it COULDN'T be the battery since I always have it fully charged on a tender. Well, a few weeks ago I decided to bite the bullet and get a new Bosch AGM battery from PepBoys... lo and behold I have had NO door locking issues since. The locks function perfectly as they should (hope I didn't just put the whammy on it ).

So, I reiterate what everyone else says... the first thing to check is to make sure your battery is in tip-top shape and if not, replace it!

 

“Truth travels slowly, but it will reach even you in time.” — Benjamin Disraeli

Graham

 

Yes indeed. A battery which seems fine may very well be the culprit in strange problems. Mine, from radical cylinder code misfires to electronic control power steering problems caused by a seemingly good battery. Rich

 

my battery... i think that is one of the best battery for our cars:

Products | Automotive | Silver Dynamic | VARTA

VARTA Silver Dynamic

12V 100Ah 830A 22 kg 353x175x190mm

 

Seems to not be available in USA?...
Can't find it in the 'country code' box... at Varta home site...
HNBunte

 

I'm waiting that VARTA send me the list of distributors in the US and then enter it here

 

agreed, my time on this board for so many years, batteries are a pain in the **** to the owners. Always a first check, load test, when you are having odd ball issues like locks, seat memory, window memory or any more simple electrical part that out of the blue starts playing the fool on you.

 

If it helps, I believe this is also available as the Bosch "S5013 12V 019 Silver Car Battery" iirc actually manufactured by Varta. I have one in my XK8 which has done sterling service for a few years although after conditioning on the CTEK MXS25 the previous ceramic battery is back in. This is due to what I believe is a slight weak point of Bosch AKA Varta which is a slightly high self-discharge. The XK8 goes completely flat much more quickly with the Bosch than the ceramic as does the High Commander's Volvo C70 (which also had a Bosch fitted) which is now back on the original Volvo battery after conditioning on the CTEK. Both sets equivalent capacity.

The XK8 has much more standing time now that the XK Dynamic has arrived so spends it's time plugged into the MXS4.

I can't speak highly enough of the CTEK chargers/conditioners. They should be standard issue kit for all Jaguars 4L and above. Cranking current, low self discharge and a good earth from battery to chassis is of paramount importance for a quiet electrical life but good charge maintenance and occasional conditioning don't do any harm.

 

reb1999,

Would you go into a little more on "Miss Fires" with your car? I'm having a problem with the same situation, which so far I've not been able to correct.

I have the Btry out of the car now and on a charger, but it still shows a charging rate of 3.4-5 amps after an hour or so....

You can contact me with a PM if you like>

Cheers