Have been keeping the XK8 on a trickle charger for years on and off. In the process I would leave the trunk open and cut the charger off. I think this is not the way to go. The light would go out and at times the battery would go down. Thinking I had a drain somewhere, did the switch and yes it was sticking. Thought I had made progress, no, still would go down if charger cut off.
Cut to new battery and head scratching, closed the trunk, set the alarm, which I couldn't do with the trunk open and three days later, windows are doing as they should.
So, If you are not locking the car, that may be the problem with battery going down and it not sleeping.
I also wonder if the top being down will let you put it in lock mode, just doesn't make much sense to lock a car with the top down and sure I will get some strange looks in a parking lot, was just thinking, because I leave the top down in the garage.

 

Wayne,

We sometimes leave the top down on Jan's XK8 when we drive it to various restaurants and I am able to park where I know I will be able to see the car from our table. I always lock her car even with the top down to ensure that the alarm goes off if anyone attempts to mess with it. I believe her car does indeed go into full sleep mode when it is locked with the top down. Watch your alarm indicator light once you lock the car - it flashes in the exact same pattern regardless of whether the top is up or down. Perhaps Brutal will see this thread and can confirm my opinion....

That is indeed good news regarding your battery and your windows maintaining their proper functions during the past couple of days. Keep us posted on whether your car continues to behave properly once you put your CTEK unit back on it....

 

Thanks Jon, good to know it will lock and set the alarm.
Let's hope it also puts it in the sleep mode????

 

You can leave the trunk open and use a screwdriver to trip the latch. I always do this when I need to disconnect the battery to work on the electrical system, but it will also fool the security system.

 

I agree the top position has no impact on sleep.

you pondered about locking car with roof down. Don't forget the trunk button is disabled with alarm on.

 

When I was diagnosing a parasitic draw on my 2000 Coupe, I tried it armed and unarmed (unlocked), the car went to sleep in both modes. So I don't think leaving it unlocked is itself a problem.

 

Useful info thanks. I always leave the trunk open and car unlocked all winter in the garage with the CTEK hooked up.