I want to change the battery on my 2003 XK8. and am not sure if a memory saver will work. any input?

 

FWIW, I swapped out the battery on my 2005 XK8 last year and didn't experience any memory loss/electronics' reset issues. It probably took less than 1 minute between having the old battery disconnected and the new connected.

 

The windows will need to be reset.

A cigar lighter plug-in type memory retaining power supply won't work with key-off.
DO NOT disconnect/reconnect the battery with the key ON!

 

Can't you just hook up a 12v. source (battery tender?) to the front terminals (under the hood)?

 

I think that use of a memory saver may risk damage to the ecu. My local trusted garage said “ don’t do it”.
i just changed the battery in my 2005 XK8. Straightforward and quick job. No issues with memory loss ( but you will probably need your radio code).

 

If you don't have a smog test due in the near future, you'll be OK without a memory saver.
Just the usual window reset and, possibly, radio code afterwards.

 

How does one find the radio code, in case it becomes necessary upon battery change?
Mine is a 2004 XK8.

 

FWIW, I disconnect the battery every time I service the car for oil changes, tire rotations etc. I do this to prevent the air suspension doing something weird. (I seem to remember that it lowered itself once while I was using a jack.)

Each time I reconnect I have to reset the widows, reset the EPB & set the clock. The radio keeps its memory for the preset radios. I don't have a radio code - maybe that's market specific? Mine is a 2007 US model with premium audio.

Good advice about not disconnecting the battery just before a smog test because the monitors need time to reset after the battery is reconnected.

HTH, Dave

 

Most battery tenders and smart chargers need to detect a power source before powering up themselves. A charger in "supply" mode would work however.

 

If you're lucky enough to have the original car documents, then it's on a plastic card in the wallet. If not, then a dealer should be able to tell you on presentation of some form of ownership.

The manual says that the code, if one is needed, will be retained for 'a short period of time' (whatever that means) after battery disconnection.

 

I just realized my post #8 was XJ8 related. Not helpful in this XK8 forum. Sorry for the confusion I might have caused!!

BTW - I do disconnect the XK8 battery periodically with no issues. (Remote storage with no power so I installed a battery cutout switch).

Window reset, clock set, radio presets, no radio code needed. (2002 US model.)

HTH, Dave

 

Did the US-spec cars come with radio codes at some point? I know my 2000 has never needed one. Anybody who would want to steal this crummy radio/cassette deck would have to be a couple of sandwiches shy of a picnic.

 

It is very rare for the U.S. spec cars to require a 4-digit radio code. That said, my former 2005 S-Type did....

 

ALL Jaguars came with Radio Code Cards in the owner's info pack/booklets.
The North American cars do not normally need the code with a simple battery disconnect BUT.................

If you need to go into settings like change the country frequency or maybe things like RBDS ON/OFF, AF (alternate frequency) or some some other function, the radio will ask for the code.