XK8 won't start, security light, voltmeter, oil pressure meter light on
XK8 won't start, security light, voltmeter, oil pressure meter light on
Hi, I think I have a problem with the security module in the trunk and maybe I pushed things around a bit too much when replacing the battery a while ago but it doesn't really make sense and I can't be 100% sure I'm correct with my guesses. Here's what's happening.
2002 XK8
-let it sit for a few weeks
-put the key in and everything looks OK for a sec, turn the key and everything goes dark
-voltmeter light stays red and oil pressure meter light stays red, security light by the shifter is blinking (these three lights stay on/blinking until you disconnect the battery)
-otherwise the car seems dead (windows don't go down or up when you open the doors, trunk doesn't pop from the fob, fob does nothing, turning the key in ignition does nothing)
-measuring battery with a multimeter shows 12.48 V
-trunk floor looks totally dry and it doesn't look like the security module has gotten wet somehow
-I tried to move the security module antenna cable with fingers, it seemed on there but I didn't remove the battery/module to really check.
It did the same thing a couple of weeks ago and I thought the battery was just dead as I don't drive it every day any more, so I disconnected negative cable hooked the battery up to a charger and when I went back and reconnected the battery it started right up.
Anyone else seen anything like this? Can it be battery voltage or type (I replaced a regular wet battery with AGM and know that all kinds of weird things start happening when voltage is low)? Should I just remove battery and fusebox to check the security module and its antenna better? Any known cold solder issues with XK8 security modules? What do I need to look for when looking for a used replacement security module?
2002 XK8
-let it sit for a few weeks
-put the key in and everything looks OK for a sec, turn the key and everything goes dark
-voltmeter light stays red and oil pressure meter light stays red, security light by the shifter is blinking (these three lights stay on/blinking until you disconnect the battery)
-otherwise the car seems dead (windows don't go down or up when you open the doors, trunk doesn't pop from the fob, fob does nothing, turning the key in ignition does nothing)
-measuring battery with a multimeter shows 12.48 V
-trunk floor looks totally dry and it doesn't look like the security module has gotten wet somehow
-I tried to move the security module antenna cable with fingers, it seemed on there but I didn't remove the battery/module to really check.
It did the same thing a couple of weeks ago and I thought the battery was just dead as I don't drive it every day any more, so I disconnected negative cable hooked the battery up to a charger and when I went back and reconnected the battery it started right up.
Anyone else seen anything like this? Can it be battery voltage or type (I replaced a regular wet battery with AGM and know that all kinds of weird things start happening when voltage is low)? Should I just remove battery and fusebox to check the security module and its antenna better? Any known cold solder issues with XK8 security modules? What do I need to look for when looking for a used replacement security module?
Veteran Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,785
Likes: 2,997
From: Jersey, Channel Islands
Since you will have disturbed connections during the battery replacement, check they're all good. Battery earth strap & HPPM crop up here quite often. Some tips in this thread by macs99:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...2/#post2039437
Let us know how you get on.
consider getting a battery tender if the car is only used intermittently.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...2/#post2039437
Let us know how you get on.
consider getting a battery tender if the car is only used intermittently.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 724
Likes: 211
From: Central Portugal, Alvaiazere
I suspect my thoughts will not be the answer and that you have covered this base, so forgive me for taking this rather simplistic approach!
The first thing to do is to ensure that this is not a battery or battery connection issue, before delving elsewhere. Simple test is to turn the ignition on and the headlights also, then try to start. If the lights dim a lot then I would look to the battery connections, because if they are poor and hence have some resistance then any attempt to draw current will develop a voltage drop at that resistance. You might get a similar result if battery cells are faulty (with, for example, raised internal resistance). Another approach is to ensure that the battery is fully charged, and the connections are clean and tight, including the connections to the main fuse. Then turn the ignition on and put the meter between the terminals, and finally, with the meter still in place, turn the ignition on. If the only thing that happens is a big drop in voltage, my suspicion would be a duff battery; the quoted voltage seems a bit on the low side for a new, fully charged battery of this type.
The first thing to do is to ensure that this is not a battery or battery connection issue, before delving elsewhere. Simple test is to turn the ignition on and the headlights also, then try to start. If the lights dim a lot then I would look to the battery connections, because if they are poor and hence have some resistance then any attempt to draw current will develop a voltage drop at that resistance. You might get a similar result if battery cells are faulty (with, for example, raised internal resistance). Another approach is to ensure that the battery is fully charged, and the connections are clean and tight, including the connections to the main fuse. Then turn the ignition on and put the meter between the terminals, and finally, with the meter still in place, turn the ignition on. If the only thing that happens is a big drop in voltage, my suspicion would be a duff battery; the quoted voltage seems a bit on the low side for a new, fully charged battery of this type.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Any fix?
Hi, I think I have a problem with the security module in the trunk and maybe I pushed things around a bit too much when replacing the battery a while ago but it doesn't really make sense and I can't be 100% sure I'm correct with my guesses. Here's what's happening.
2002 XK8
-let it sit for a few weeks
-put the key in and everything looks OK for a sec, turn the key and everything goes dark
-voltmeter light stays red and oil pressure meter light stays red, security light by the shifter is blinking (these three lights stay on/blinking until you disconnect the battery)
-otherwise the car seems dead (windows don't go down or up when you open the doors, trunk doesn't pop from the fob, fob does nothing, turning the key in ignition does nothing)
-measuring battery with a multimeter shows 12.48 V
-trunk floor looks totally dry and it doesn't look like the security module has gotten wet somehow
-I tried to move the security module antenna cable with fingers, it seemed on there but I didn't remove the battery/module to really check.
It did the same thing a couple of weeks ago and I thought the battery was just dead as I don't drive it every day any more, so I disconnected negative cable hooked the battery up to a charger and when I went back and reconnected the battery it started right up.
Anyone else seen anything like this? Can it be battery voltage or type (I replaced a regular wet battery with AGM and know that all kinds of weird things start happening when voltage is low)? Should I just remove battery and fusebox to check the security module and its antenna better? Any known cold solder issues with XK8 security modules? What do I need to look for when looking for a used replacement security module?
2002 XK8
-let it sit for a few weeks
-put the key in and everything looks OK for a sec, turn the key and everything goes dark
-voltmeter light stays red and oil pressure meter light stays red, security light by the shifter is blinking (these three lights stay on/blinking until you disconnect the battery)
-otherwise the car seems dead (windows don't go down or up when you open the doors, trunk doesn't pop from the fob, fob does nothing, turning the key in ignition does nothing)
-measuring battery with a multimeter shows 12.48 V
-trunk floor looks totally dry and it doesn't look like the security module has gotten wet somehow
-I tried to move the security module antenna cable with fingers, it seemed on there but I didn't remove the battery/module to really check.
It did the same thing a couple of weeks ago and I thought the battery was just dead as I don't drive it every day any more, so I disconnected negative cable hooked the battery up to a charger and when I went back and reconnected the battery it started right up.
Anyone else seen anything like this? Can it be battery voltage or type (I replaced a regular wet battery with AGM and know that all kinds of weird things start happening when voltage is low)? Should I just remove battery and fusebox to check the security module and its antenna better? Any known cold solder issues with XK8 security modules? What do I need to look for when looking for a used replacement security module?
Yes, I was overthinking it way too much back then. I had forgotten to tighten the negative cable enough. This was enough to make the car go crazy. Felt pretty stupid but happy at the same time when everything started working afterwards.
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Veteran Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4,277
Likes: 1,314
From: New York New York
They do go "crazy",,, don't they.
I need meds for my car... regularly...
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