My 1999 xk8 has been parked up for the winter, after 6 month battery was dead, lost the odo reading got a red light on now and again but no message on dash (blank display) drives ok ,,, help !!!

 

Welcome to the forum Allan,

I've moved your question from UK Region to XK8/XKR forum. Members here with the same model will be able to help.

Graham

 

A battery dying whilst connected to the car can cause issues for the electrics. These cars really dont like low voltage.

First thing is to try a hard reset.

With the doors open (so you can get in) disconnect the earth lead from the battery and touch it to the +ve terminal. Then reconnect.

You will then have to reset the radio code and door windows.

If this does not work you need to check for any fault codes.

 

Mmmm new bosh battrie, did the.neg to plus,.no change,,,any idear
U

 

Did you jump start the car by any chance?

 

Yes sir, quite a few times.

 

Unless you followed the exact correct procedure you've probably fried some of the electronics. I think the instrument cluster is usually the first to go. Good news is they can be repaired by specialists. Modern cars with electronic systems do not like the voltage spikes caused by jump starts - I found out the hard way with a new BMW 740 in 2001.

 

Ooopz, I guess Mr Jaguar dealer will be rubbing his hands, thanks for the info

 

Pick one up at a Jaguar wreckers - bound to be more cost effective.

 

Not necessarily - I'm fairly sure a unit from a different car would need to be reprogrammed to the car by a Jaguar dealer using the factory software/WDS. That won't be cheap at dealer rates so worthwhile checking the numbers before going down that route.
You really need somebody like White XKR(Steve) to advise on this one - he knows the electronic systems on these cars exceptionally well.

 

Before you condemn the instrument cluster check fuses 14 and 18 in the fusebox on the end of the driver's side dashboard.

If these are OK, then I agree the cluster was likely fried. Ideally you want to match the part number and program number (VCATS number) from the donor car with that on a label under the carpet in the boot....if the information is available from the donor car part.

If it is not available, chances are one from another '98 or '99 XK8 (not XKR) will work. Anything 2000 or later will definitely NOT be compatible also. There are usually quite a few on ebay at reasonable prices. Note you will lose your original odometer reading though if you install a used unit yourself.

 

Thanks boys, sorry for delay in revert, i am a long distance trucker and dont get back home as often as i would like.
Fuse 14 and 18 are intact so looking on the down side,
Thanks for the help.

 

if these cars do not like jump starts and you have a dead battery, what do you do?

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...rt-xk8-105914/


Have a look at this and read page 38/9 in the vehicle care book

 

Best to disconnect the battery and then charge it up on or off the car. That way no chance of frying some circuits on the car.
Problems arise when there are spikes in the voltage/current when jumping from a second car. I was lucky and got away with it once, but learned from the forum its really a no no.

 

There are instructions in the Vehicle Care Handbook on jumping with low risk. But the best choice is to charge or replace the battery.

 

You can also disconnect the battery and have the rescue car charge your battery for 15 minutes or so and then try to start.

That should be enough of a charge to start, and if it is not, your battery is so bad that you should not drive the car because it may not be filtering the alternator adequately.