2000 XK8 Convertible
Just as I list my car for sale, i'm driving along and all electric just fails. Nothing. No lights nothing. I pull to the side of the road and start checking connections. Finally got to the trunk and slightly pulled up on the (red) positive lead cable and noticed the lights in the trunk came back on. Everything works fine now after resetting the radio code and windows. Got home and went over all connections cleaning them with a wire brush and contact brush. Retightened everything. I looked for any shorts, abrasions in the wires where they were near body edges and saw no evidence of chafing. After spending a couple hours researching online, here and other source, I believe the main high current fuses in the trunk might be beginning to fail. (Little fuse Mega 250A) Am I reaching? They are only about $15 for both so I was going to replace them and hope for the best.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Do you think I'm on the right track?
Any help or encouragement would be helpful!

 

I agree with your thoughts and procedures.
Might want to consider replacing that positive cable, not the greatest terminal connection.

 

thanks. I think we overheated it back in November when we had a starting issue. Cranked over the engine extensively. Probably over heated the fuse and stressed it. At least that's what I'm hoping. Your suggestion to replace that positive cable makes sense also, so I'll look for one!

 

Mr. Kitty,

The Jag is mad at you because you listed it! Go HUG the Hood and everything will be OK!

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch

 

To echo what has been said, the cables to the battery sometimes fail internally, the problem is not always at the ends. If there is sufficient time, they heat up, which helps in the diagnostics.

Best of luck, keep us posted.

 

Be interested in the outcome of this - I quite often have a "dead" car after stopping, but as soon as I move the cover over the battery it comes back to life again, so I don't really get a chance to check

Been thinking dodgy earth, somewhere by the battery cover to rear trim right at the rear. Earth lead is a braided type and looks new, as is the battery. I've taken off and lubricated the battery terminals

Keep us posted please

 

lol!

 

The very same thing happened to me a while back. It was very scary and completely unexpected. I checked all of my fuses and then went back to the trunk and checked to see if the battery cables had fallen off, which they hadn't, and magically the car started working again. Hasn't happened since and it is always in the back of my mind. Hope that it was a one off for me as well as for you but it couldn't hurt to replace the battery cables if they are getting warm.

 

Battery cables are cheap and easy to replace.