Hey Folks!
I have read a few posts that mention checking the main junction box while troubleshooting electrical gremlins. I have such quirky guys living in my trunk. The problems are all intermittent and random. Mostly they nudge the security system into thinking that someone has tried to gain access to my car and they system shuts everything down. The best one happened two days ago. I threw some groceries into my trunk and closed the boot lid. All of a sudden the convertible top started to open...my wide and I just watched in amazement until it completed it's cycle. The car was disabled by the security system when I got in to start it.
I then opened the boot floor and looked at the main junction box and tapped the wire as illustrated by the yellow star in the included picture.... on the second tap, the boot lights came back on, and the demons had succumbed. We drove home laughing nervously.

The next day I took each wire off the panel and cleaned the ends and tightened them back down (none were loose when I took them off).

When you say check the main junction box exactly what do you mean? Where does that blue wire go and should I follow it? It goes to someplace dark and scary I am sure.

 

It goes to the alternator. And yes if any of those connections get loose or corroded you will have all sorts of gremlins living in the trunk.



Dave

 

I would do a hard reset and check the battery. This link to the cars onelines might help.

Link http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Auto.../jagxk1997.pdf

 

thank you. Battery is one month new. When I checked the terminals they were tight and very clean. Is there other connectors (besides the 4 apparent) that can come loose on that box?

 

Low voltage is often the culprit of strange things with these cars. As for the loose or poor connection at the main fuse this could have been interpreted as low voltage. Do a hard reset and see what takes place.

 

Here are a couple wiring diagrams to help. I would go after the battery too. My new Sears Die Hard lasted a month.

 

Thank you for the advice and diagrams. I am going to see how long that blue cable is and try to replace it. I will be checking voltages today.
Thanks again for your help

 

The best way to test the battery is to take it to AutoZone, Advanced and Sears, they use a tester the measures things you cannot with a standard volt meter. You want to keep the guess work out of this.

 

Check out the electrical troubleshooting item in my signature. It's made for 308s, but I'm sure it may help you. If I owned an XK, I'd build a version for that car as well!

 

Have you tried crimping the cable connector. Disconnect battery before doing it.
Some reports on the main battery cable needing to be crimped.

 

I ended up soldering my crimped connections, check it out in the presentation.

 

the battery checked out but I checked all connections and took measurements all the way to the alternator. All the same voltages.
It was recommended to check the main battery cable. Mine looked brand new but while I was having the battery tested I had them check the cable as well. When the cable was twisted or bent it lost continuity. I replaced that able with a new, more robust cable (22.00 USD) We will see if that has resolved the issue
Thanks for everyone's advice!!