Mirror position 'Memory' wayward

Graham C · September 30, 2015

Hi,

After setting the memory positions of the steering wheel etc, the offside mirror regularly goes out of the 'set' position. It's always looking more outward.

Is there any way of correcting this?

I'm regularly having to re-position the mirror.

Thanks,

Graham.

Old Peter · September 30, 2015

Hi Graham,

I have the same issue with the steering wheel!

I think the computer wants to keep us on our toes!

Peter.

Jhdee · October 2, 2015

Hi Graham,

I sometimes get this problem if the car has not been used for a while. XK family is very repeat very sensitive to voltage.

I'd try checking the battery output voltage. If its down there are a few fixes like new battery, CTEK trickle charger etc but I'd start with the output voltage. Do you know how old the battery is ??

Graham C · October 2, 2015

Hi John,

I've no idea how old the battery is, I've only owned the car since April.

The battery is kicking out 12.4v with the engine off, and 14.4v with it running. I don't think that's too bad. DoYou?

Jhdee · October 3, 2015

Apparently 12.3 ~ 12.4 vote is considered by some in the know to be undercharged and an indication the battery may be on the way out. I've had the problem on my car a few times with no sign of any other problems - then some 3 ~ 4 months later the battery had insufficeint power to start the car.

Personally, I'd tolerate the problem until starting becomes a problem - OK if your not totally dependent on the Jag for your transport. One thing to consider though is that cold weather is not too far away - and that should expose any battery weakness.

Having said all of that - it could be a door module on the way out - if you have a warranty it would be worth getting GS to sort it.

Hope this helps.

PS - if you do decide to change the battery, I'm told an AGM type is the best you can get at present.

Graham C · October 4, 2015

Hi John,

Thanks for your reply.

AGM batteries seem to have been developed for stop/start vehicles, are they okay the XK, and seeing as we get 15% off at Halfords can one of their 'specially trained technicians' be trusted to fit one ?

Thanks,

Graham.

Graham C · October 4, 2015

After looking on the search engines, I found that on the OEM Jaguar/Varta batteries there is a Week No/Year code stamped on the negative terminal.

Mine says 36/08, so it's the original battery and has lasted over 6 years.

So I'm off to Halfords to get 15% off an AGM battery and probably get it fitted by the dealership. Mainly due to the resettings necessary.

Graham C · October 5, 2015

Have just contacted Jag Dealership for a price to fit my own (Halfords) battery, and been told "We only fit our own".

So on that logic, If at a later date I took the car in for another 'job', would they not accept because they wouldn't take the battery off because it's 'not one of theirs'.

Luckily I hadn't bought the battery from Halfords, but am waiting for one of their technicians to call me say whether they can categorically fit one and reset everything.!!!

If he can't, I'll have to have a Jaguar battery fitted by them at a ridiculous price.

Old Peter · October 5, 2015

Hi Graham,

I didn't think you needed a technician to fit a new battery. On the s type, the procedure is quite clear and simple. All you need to remember is the radio code and the fact that you have to reset the radio channels and other odds and ends.

Is the XK different?

Regards,

Peter.

Graham C · October 5, 2015

Hi Peter,

Good to speak to you again.

I'm not sure myself what may need resetting.

When I had a Citroen C6 I had to take it into the dealership to have the windows reset and I can't now remember what else.

The initial answer I got from Halfords was that "if you change it over quickly enough you don't normally lose anything".

Hardly inspiring confidence.

Graham.

Old Peter · October 5, 2015

Hi Graham,

I have had some problems with the electronic Park brake, -- sticking on -- and ` I found that the cure was to disconnect the battery for 10 minutes and then reconnect it.

Resetting everything takes just a few minutes, so I am assuming changing the battery is similar. You can connect it up to a power source which avoids having to reset.

Regards,

Peter.

Graham C · October 5, 2015

Hi Peter,

Yes, I was wondering if an outside power source was the way around this.

Graham.

Old Peter · October 5, 2015

Hi Graham,

Some people do recommend you do that.

I have one of these universal jump starters/flashing lights/several USB sockets/compressor/and charger socket - It is a bit heavy to keep in the car though. I am still a bit mystified on how to connect the jump start bit while removing the battery leads.

There must be a way, though.

Peter.

P.S.

I have just had look at my battery Graham, and with the correct spanners it appears possible to disconnect the battery while the jump start terminals are connected. A Jump start would save you going to a Jaguar Dealer!

Graham C · October 5, 2015

Thanks for the advice Peter.

I've been to Halfords, their man connected my battery to one of theirs via jump cables. Four retaining nuts to undo plus the terminals. Pull off the leads, swap the battery, disconnect jump cables.

Hey presto, No problem at all.

Got an AGM battery fitted for £100 less than the Jag Dealership were going to charge for a normal one.

Cheers.

Old Peter · October 5, 2015

Good deal Graham. The cost of a big battery for the s type is around £85, and the bother of fitting it is a few shillings.

There is a neighbour of mine with an accessory business will always fit a battery if you buy it from him.

Peter.

Jhdee · October 6, 2015

Hi Graham,

Sorry to reply so late - work keeps interfering !!!

"The initial answer I got from Halfords was that "if you change it over quickly enough you don't normally lose anything".

Hardly inspiring confidence."

Actually, when I changed my battery, I made sure I did it rather quickly and didn't lose anything - didn't need to reset the electronic brake, windows, memory setting etc - so in all fairness to Halfords - its sound like they gave you good info but I don't understand the reasons why.

Mine was also the original battery - which would have made it 8 years old - so a reasonable life. You should get even better with your nice new AGM battery. Unfortunately, when I changed mine, my local Halfords didn't have an AGM version available so had to settle for a normal version. Would have much preferred the AGM unit but couldn't wait because I needed to use the car that day.

One thing I would suggest - find yourself a local independent Jaguar specialist - it will save you an absolute fortune in running costs.

If I had to use my local Jag dealer (sounds like Brimstone !!!) I would have to sell my XK. I was quoted ~£1400 by my local Jag dealer for a number of jobs I wanted doing. My captive independent specialist did the lot for less than £600.

Best regards

John D

Graham C · October 7, 2015

Hi John.

Good to hear from you again. By the way I owe you a couple pints.

Losing the vibration has made the driving experience so much better.

I have been looking into Independent Jaguar dealers for some time now, the nearest being 20 miles away.

So, I've got to balance the close proximity and the 'pick up and collect' of the Main Dealer against distance and therefore inconveniences involved in the Independent.

I think it will depend on what I want doing

How long have you had your XK, and have you had any problems with it?

Kind Regards,

Graham.

Jhdee · October 9, 2015

Hi Graham,

I've had the XK for just over 3 years now and put some 60,000 miles on it myself giving it a total of 108,000 miles.

In that time it has only let me down once - the Auxiliary Power Supply module failed which prevented the car from starting - cost ~ £700 from a main dealer (I was in Doncaster so not able to use my friendly local independent) and had the car back the next day.

Also had some suspension bushes replaced - as you would expect at 100,000 miles plus.

I do make sure that the service intervals are met and all the Jaguar recommendations are carried out.

One extra item i have done with all my Jags - I get the auto box Oil replaced at 60,000 ~ 70,000 miles intervals. Jag say the box is filled for life but it is possible to change the Oil and internal filters and it certainly improves the life of the auto box - even if it is an expensive job.

The car has been driven hard but looked after and has proven to be one of the more reliable cars I've had - early next year I'll be in the market for another XK - this time it will definitely be an XKR of the 5.0 litre variety but will be able to keep the mileage down on this one.

Think that says it all !!!

Best regards

John D