Flat Battery (Again)!!!

[V6Leaper]

My other thread named simply, "Flat Battery" has turned into a history lesson (no complaint, just that the page doesn't read as easy) so I have started a new thread seeing as the same problem  happened two days ago during -2 degrees below freezing!!! : -

Read my first thread to see that I took the car in to get sorted, and thought it had until - - - Outside temperature dropped below -2 degrees and at 2am I was awoken by the car alarm sounding. Not as loud as it should be, but then this may have been sounding for some time and battery was nearly flat?  Anyhow, cancelled with my key fob ok.  But then no power to unlock the doors so I popped open the boot manually and gave the battery a boost start using the Ring bench charger. It started first attempt easily during freezing temperature!  I then gave the battery a full charge on 8 amp charge all day. 

While I was sat in the car wondering what the hell could be causing this very unusual fault (which DOES NOT record any fault codes on the computer (as confirmed by Jagutech of Hessle)), I heard this faint tick tick noise coming from the front passenger seat.  Looking further into this, I found the electronic seat switch slightly out of alignment like someone or something has bashed it. That is where the noise was coming from!  It is the long thin switch which moves the seat backward and forward.  I moved it in it's various positions and I think I might have found a fault if not THE fault!  When I moved the seat forwards, it did not stop it's motor. Simply the seat came to a stop but the motor trying to still go forwards.  The same applied to the backwards movement.  It was possible (for now) to get a happy medium whereby the motor does behave and this was done by rapidly flicking the direction of the switch in the opposite way that the chair was moving.  Then the ticking noise ceased.  The switch itself doesn't seem to come apart easily.  It might be a very easy fix as it doesn't look damaged, merely that one side has "popped" out might be preventing the isolator being engaged when the seat reaches it's maximum position so maybe just wants reseating?

I have just two questions to you Jaguar experts - Is it likely that the faulty power seat switch would have drained the battery since last using the car, probably 12 hours earlier?  And assuming this intermittent fault was the cause of my previous flat battery, WHY on earth did this not show on the Jaguar system analysis?  I had that carried out by the independent Jaguar garage that I use for servicing?  

Regards

Graham

Footnote - - - I have ordered a CTEK MXS7.0 Battery Charger battery charger/conditioner from Halfords although won't be with me until 18th January.  That hopefully will at least keep a healthy battery.  That is, as long as the power seat switch IS the cause of the problem.  Everything appears to be otherwise perfect on the car apart from, I still have a slight suspicion regarding the alarm (when arming) as this usually takes two or three attempts before it locks!  And it is not the fob because the same happens if I use the spare fob!  Unlocking always responds immediately). Time will tell!

[JOE-DOT-COM]

hi

if you have a multi meter you need to check what battery leakage you have, the current drain when every thing is off

also the car is suppose to go asleep after 40 mins, this can be stopped some times from a faulty device, like the ignition switch, theres a flap that shuts once you pull the key out

you could connect a multi meter in series with the battery and see what the current drain is and pull fuses till it drops to a correct level

may be worth also checking your battery is charging correct, should be above 14 volts with engine running, alternator might of packed in

current drain should be as below

cheers

joe

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi

The 5 amp one is plenty good enough for keeping it charged and tip top

the Genuine Jaguar one is only a 3.8 amp and Ive never had any issues with mine, keeps it spot on all year round

cheers

Joe

[V6Leaper]

Thanks Joe and Ron.  

I now have my Ctek MXS 7.0 and have it hooked up to the Jag so I feel confident for the time being until that switch has been checked out or until the fault is eventually traced!  Service is due in March but hoping to get this electrical glitch sorted before then.  Anyhow for now at least, I shouldn't have battery drain at home!

Joe, I do have a multimeter but I would need a dummy's list to know how to use it for this task which is why I paid for the car to be looked at professionally by the guy's called "Jagutech of Hessle, Hull"!  The two guys there have umpteen years experience working for Hatfield Jaguar before forming this company specialising in Jaguar's so I do feel confident with them.  This is a 2011Jaguar XF 3.0D so no key/flap operation.  Everything is electronic I am afraid!  Also, Jagutech have already given the car a good going over and performed all test's but could not find any fault whatsoever! Therefore, I am wanting that switch examined by experts. I do know of a car electrical company who might just save the day. I will pop in later in the week.

I eventually bought the Ctek MXS 7.0 from Halfords (I did spot Amazon's price for the MXS 5.0 as pictured below for the three items I wanted):- 

Frequently bought together

• 
• +
• 
• +
• 

Amazon total price: £87.87

 

 

However, in Halfords new year sale, they had reduced the MXS 7.0 to £89.50 thereby already saving greatly before even paying with my J.O.C. discount card (smirk).  This is the newer version two notches up from the MXS 5.0 (which itself is well capable of doing the job).  However for about the same price, give or take a couple of quid I spotted the MXS 7.0. So I thought, for about the same price, why have Cotton when you can have Silk?  Oh, and thank you once again Jaguar Owners Club for this EXTRA 15 per cent discount at Halfords!

Halfords Ctek Batt Charger MXS7.0   £89.50

                Ctek Comf M8 Direct Conn  £  4.99

                Ctek 2.5m Ext Cable             £11.99

Total                                                      £106.48

Coupons                                               £  15.96

Halfords Total Price (J.O.C.)             £  90.52

Regards

Graham

 

 

 

 

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi

When I had my STR, it had a drain, not as bad as yours though

mine ended been a jaguar tracker, hidden in the boot, must of come with the car from new

but there was no reference to it in the paperwork I had, I just removed it and it cured my problem, it had a backup battery attached to it, that had gone duff due to age, causing excessive drain on the battery

cheers

Joe

[V6Leaper]

On ‎07‎/‎01‎/‎2018 at 9:55 PM, JOE-DOT-COM said:

Hi

When I had my STR, it had a drain, not as bad as yours though

mine ended been a jaguar tracker, hidden in the boot, must of come with the car from new

but there was no reference to it in the paperwork I had, I just removed it and it cured my problem, it had a backup battery attached to it, that had gone duff due to age, causing excessive drain on the battery

cheers

Joe

Interesting that one. Thanks Joe. How on earth would anyone think of that one until you mention the multimeter!