Like that has never happened with a 2000 XKR .

Anyway, what happened is, as I turned the ignition key past position 2 to engage the starter, there was a momentary pause before the starter spun, the car started normally, and settled into normal idle...except the stereo needed the code entered, windows needed position reset, and the trip meters reset themselves to zero.

Like I'd disconnected the battery.

It did this again the next time I started it.

I theorized that the current pull to engage the starter was somehow dropping all voltage to the systems momentarily. So I cleaned and retightened both battery terminal connections, and reset everything again. Battery checks out OK.

The problem has not occurred again in over a dozen starts, so that's good.

The bad is, ever since I cleaned the battery terminals and reconnected, I have an orange check engine light. No degraded performance from engine or transmission.

I tried a soft reboot...nada.

Would a hard reboot perhaps do the trick? What advice, besides the need to read the codes, might anyone offer?

 

If you have an illuminated CEL then there should be a code associated with it. Have you got an OBD2 Code Scanner?

 

I agree if you have a CEL light get the code read. Most auto parts stores now do it for free. Get it read and post the numbers. However your base problem is most likely your battery is on it's way out. Get a load test done again at an auto parts store and it will most likely fail.
You are correct "I theorized that the current pull to engage the starter was somehow dropping all voltage to the systems momentarily", battery can't handle the LOAD.

 

I believe the battery can handle the load. Improving contact at battery posts fixed that issue, it seems.

I don't have a code reader...should, I know. Thanks.

 

The battery is young, and is always on a smart trickle charger. It shows 13.5 volts resting. I do not believe it's a battery issue...but I could be wrong .

Let me simplify my question...will a hard reset remove an orange check engine light if there are no underlying issues?

And a total aside...this forum is nearly unusable for me now. Slow, drops input. What is up?

 

If the MIL is on, what DTCs are stored? Use a smart phone with the Torque app and a Bluetooth adapter to get vehicle data.

Guessing on a Jaguar can become very expensive very fast.

 

Well,

It’s worth a try to hard reset and see if your orange CEL goes away. This will clear ECM memory and reset Smog monitors. However any non-volatile memory logs won’t be cleared.

If there is an underlying issue, a DTC will log and the CEL will come back. So worth a try.

 

You appear to have an extreme reluctance to read the codes.

The CHECK ENGINE MIL is activated as a direct result of one or more of a specifically determined subset of diagnostic trouble codes occurring. Guessing could eventually find the cause but throwing parts at a Jaguar soon becomes very expensive.

Graham

 

Read the codes. You are blindly in the dark until you do....

 

Folks...I'm not blindly throwing parts at it, nor am I "extremely" reluctant to read the codes. I am reluctant to drive an hour to town and expose myself to the high rates of infection in the city these days. I'm not replacing any parts without good reason, from good diagnostics.

 

I am getting the feeling that you are a little stressed with the car situation and we all have been there and done that. One tool everyone need to have when you own an XK8 and that is an OBDII tool. I listed two links one for Torque and the other for an OBDII Bluetooth adapter. Torque is free but you can upgrade it for a small fee. The advantage is it loads to your phone and you will always have it with you. The second link is for the OBDII Bluetooth adapter from Amazon. This is one of many but on the most part are all the same the best part is that it can go in the glove box. With any luck you will have the adapter in your mail box in a few days and you will be able to post the codes and we can figure out what is taking place.



https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...efree&hl=en_US


As for the hard reset it will not clear your codes but what it will do is reset all or your computers.

 

Gus...I am far less stressed by my XKR than I am by the responses I'm getting here. Let me inform you of my perhaps unique situation to your experience...I do not own a smart phone; where I live is without cell service for a LONG way away. I have considered buying an OBDII reader, but input here and elsewhere as to best units for the task are very inconclusive, even contradictory.

 

For years I had a $35,00 OBDII code reader in my car that served me well and it gave me the codes when I needed it. On these cars you are in the dark without one.

Gus
JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

 

As Gus stated, a cheap OBDII code reader can read the OBDII P codes. It is well worth the $35 to $40 you will spend to order one....

 

You don't need a smart phone, just get a stand alone reader with a cable. I have an old one that works perfectly with the Jaguar.

I also have fitted a dashboard obd temperature gauge, that will also show codes. You just plug it in.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-gauge-210411/

No need to drive into town to buy one, try Amazon.

 

Thanks, all. I'll do some looking for a code reader.

 

I keep an UltraGauge stuck to the lower left corner of the windshield, plugged in to the OBD port. It can display a multitude of gauge readings, including temperature. Also reads and can reset codes.

UltraGauge OBDII Scan tool & Information Center

 

I am sorry, folks. My laptop can no longer communicate easily with this forum past about 30 typed characters. I did order an OBDII unit. I hope in the future to be able to manage contact again.

 

My god man, do you have electricity and running water out there ?

 

Jimmy, we nowadays almost always have grid power. Maybe a dozen or so times a year we loose it for 2 to 6 hours...piddle nothing problem, that. Water...our own well, and a live creek. Between the two, and a good set of filters, we keep our whistles wet .