Central Locking Problem with 2013 XF Portfolio S

[Allandon]

Just to bring my input for this thread to a close. Spent ages searchng for local garages using Autologic. Found a couple but when I mentioned the specific problem it sounded like they didn't have a clue! Decided not to risk any more costly mistakes so bit the bullet and booked it into E+E for this morning. About an hour and half drive from Dagenham so could have been worse! Met a chap there who had driven down from Liverpool for exactly the same fix. As mentioned above, 15 minutes later I was on my way back home , £90 lighter but problem fixed. So much for getting a cheap battery! Still, lesson learned. Now to start looking for that BMW I fancy!

[mervyncp]

On 2/2/2020 at 10:15 AM, Jimbob64 said:

Hi.

I wanted to add to this thread as I encountered the same problem after a local garage installed a new battery for me. Without all the detail, their Autel system wouldn't reprogram so I went to another placewith the JLR software which also didn't work... I then came across this thread and booked in with a garage who use the Autogic software. 10 minute and on my way, all done. They're an indy Jag specialist.

MDM Services
Unit 4 Stephenson Industrial Estate
Coalville, Leicester
LE67 3HP
01530 838666

No affiliation at all to said garage but they were fantastic - fitted me in without an appointment and were well priced.

How much do MDM Services charge for this reset of the central locking?

[Jimbob64]

I honestly can't remember as they also sprayed and supplied a lock cover for me. Give them a call and explain the problem - they are familiar with it now so should be able to give a rough idea of cost.

[mervyncp]

43 minutes ago, Jimbob64 said:

I honestly can't remember as they also sprayed and supplied a lock cover for me. Give them a call and explain the problem - they are familiar with it now so should be able to give a rough idea of cost.

Booked in for tomorrow. Quoted me £50 as long as no problems, so I'm happy.  I never mind an excuse for a 2 hour trip in the XF 🙂 🙂 

[Jimbob64]

Fantastic.

I thought it was something like that but didn't want to get your hopes up.

Mention the forum (and the chap with the sport brake who had the key cover).

[Mike T Colchester]

Hi I just wanted to add to this thread and say and MASSIVE THANK YOU to you guys for highlighting this issue and the fix. My 2013 XF Sportbrake had a failed alternator. When swopped I got the double beep mislock. Long story short been hunting for the solution for ages getting the SDD software, blah, blah. Eventually found this thread and phoned local garage with Autologic software. Took the printout of this thread and 15 mins and £54 later problem fixed !

The garage for reference was All Trans Autos in Stanway, Colchester. They managed to fit me in within a week. The local Jag dealer couldn't see me for a month, wanted £168 to hook up their machine and seemingly from this thread wouldn't have known how to fix it. They started saying it was probably a door lock..... All power to the internet and the posters on here.

Cheers Mike

[PaulT]

There is a Technical Service Bulletin from Jaguar about this problem. That specifies changing two junction boxes. So Jaguar DO KNOW about this problem and so should their dealers - so no need to hook the car up to find what is wrong.

Presumably the junction boxes lose the coding.

 

[NCC XFS]

On 11/17/2020 at 6:00 AM, PaulT said:

There is a Technical Service Bulletin from Jaguar about this problem. That specifies changing two junction boxes. So Jaguar DO KNOW about this problem and so should their dealers - so no need to hook the car up to find what is wrong.

Presumably the junction boxes lose the coding.

 

HI, I'm a newbie on here so a big hello to everyone. I had this problem about 2 years ago when I changed the large battery on my 2014 3llr XFS. Tried to find a solution on several Jag forums but eventually took it to my local Jag dealer and they changed the junction boxes to solve the problem.

I wonder now if I should have left the smaller battery connected and thus avoided the problem, but too late now!.

Cheers

Steve

 

[mervyncp]

21 hours ago, NCC XFS said:

"I wonder now if I should have left the smaller battery connected and thus avoided the problem, but too late now!."

Steve,

In my experience, leaving the small battery connected does not help with saving your central locking. It can, of course, be reprogrammed in a few minutes by a garage with the Autologic software, thereby saving the replacement of the 2 units and many hundreds of £££££"£

Best regards#

Mervyn

 

 

[Jimbob64]

47 minutes ago, mervyncp said:

 

Always connect (via jump leads) a spare, fully charged battery to the + and - leads whilst changing the battery - I learned my lesson...

[Old Peter]

Hi Jim,

Yes.  Always do that if you can.

Regards,

Peter.

[Jimbob64]

Just to bring this thread back to life, I have had a recurrance of this issue. Short story - Wife driving away from home and battery not charging light come on dash. She drove home approx 2 hrs and by the time she got home all manner of warning lights were showing. Had battery checked and confirmed that the battery had failed (13 months old) and was showing 64% on my local garage machine. New battery being installed today but the central locking isn't working and I'm pretty sure I will have to have a trip to a garage using Autologic software - luckily I've found one closer to home (although MDM were brilliant...).

Watch this space...

[mervyncp]

The disappointing thing is Jimbo that you've confirmed that the problem returns when the battery is disconnected again.  I suppose the only permanent fix is to replace the relevant modules..
For information, who is it that you have found can do it nearer to you??

Regards

Mervyn

[Jimbob64]

55 minutes ago, mervyncp said:

The disappointing thing is Jimbo that you've confirmed that the problem returns when the battery is disconnected again.  I suppose the only permanent fix is to replace the relevant modules..
For information, who is it that you have found can do it nearer to you??

Regards

Mervyn

http://www.garejarwyn.co.uk

Garej Arwyn’s Garage in Caernarfon has the Autologic software - I've not called them to see if they have done this particular job though

[Jimbob64]

It seems my current problem is bigger than before. Just put the new battery on but still have the battery not charging light on the dash.

I've put a meter on the terminals and it appears that the large battery isn't charging. The small battery is charging as normal so I presume the alternator is ok...

Anyone have any wise thoughts?

Thanks,

James.

[Big John]

Hi James

When you say you have put a meter on the terminals are you just measuring voltage at the terminals of the secondary and main batteries with the engine running? Secondary battery is normally not connected to the charging circuit except when charging so you are probably just measuring the secondary battery resting voltage. If the main battery voltage shows as 12.2v when engine running but then slowly rises after you turn off and lock the car the computer is almost certainly running down the battery doing a self calibration. When it gets to 75% of capacity it will then fully recharge the battery.  This behaviour caused me a few days of panic before I found the info on the web. My hope would be that is where you are but you probably need to pull the fault codes to be sure. The computers hate low voltage so hopefully the codes need clearing and possible some modules just need a reset. Fingers crossed

John

[Jimbob64]

7 minutes ago, Big John said:

Hi James

When you say you have put a meter on the terminals are you just measuring voltage at the terminals of the secondary and main batteries with the engine running? Secondary battery is normally not connected to the charging circuit except when charging so you are probably just measuring the secondary battery resting voltage. If the main battery voltage shows as 12.2v when engine running but then slowly rises after you turn off and lock the car the computer is almost certainly running down the battery doing a self calibration. When it gets to 75% of capacity it will then fully recharge the battery.  This behaviour caused me a few days of panic before I found the info on the web. My hope would be that is where you are but you probably need to pull the fault codes to be sure. The computers hate low voltage so hopefully the codes need clearing and possible some modules just need a reset. Fingers crossed

John

Cheers John, I've measured the voltages of both batteries, engine off, running, and under load. The small battery behaves normally in all of those conditions (13.30v, 13.37v, 14.00v)Large battery reads: engine off - 12.48v, engine running - 12.24v, under load - 12.00v

As the small battery behaves normally, I'm hoping you are correct. I will see how it behaves over the next few days.

Unfortunately I dont have access to a code reader at the moment so can't do any more than monitor.

Thanks,

James.

[Big John]

Hi James

Just a thought but is the new battery an AGM? If previous one was a wet-cell that would explain its premature failure.

John

[Jimbob64]

2 minutes ago, Big John said:

Hi James

Just a thought but is the new battery an AGM? If previous one was a wet-cell that would explain its premature failure.

John

No, both AGM

[Jimbob64]

So, another update.

Replaced BMS module (on -ve lead), no change so bit the bullet and replaced alternator, no change...

Pulling hair out so removed batteries and carriers to access fuse box underneath the small battery, found some corrosion on the bottom connector. Cleaned corrosion, checked fuses, checked relays (visual check), all looking good so reassemble - NO CHANGE STILL...

If anyone out there has any thoughts, be my guest... 

P.S. Had codes read at local indy, just said generator fault...

[Jimbob64]

Hi all. I'm no further along with this as I've not had much time. If anyone has anything extra to add I would be extremely grateful.

So far:

New battery, new BMS module, new Alternator and visual check and clean of rear junction box.

I don't have access to a proper code reader, local garage has a basic one which gives a fault - P065C - which is a general generator fault.

I am thinking of buying a mongoose cable and SDD set up but having never used them I'm concerned that I won't understand fully how to use it...

I live in a rural location so driving any distance for a diagnostic is out of the question as I probably wouldn't make it home again.

Thanks.

[Big John]

Hi James.

I am assuming that the problem now is the warning message. Have you watched the voltage with the engine running? A real problem with charging should flatten the battery pretty quickly. My gut feeling is that you have a software issue and basically it needs a Ctrl+Alt+Delete to clear the error message. To do this you either need the proper Jaguar computer or a garage with the Autologic system (and the know-how to use it properly). If it was me I would bite the bullet and get a diagnostic from a Jag dealer. I had an issue with my parking sensors / camera and have a really good warranty from the non-jag vendor. They could not sort it (replaced the sensor their computer said, and it still didn't work). So I took it to Inchcape Jaguar in Preston after agreeing a diagnostic at a cost of £100 +Vat. which I felt was no where near as scarry as I expected. They diagnosed front bumper wiring loom and replaced it (not covered by warranty) for less than £300 inc VAT. The genuine loom was £48 inc VAT when used ones are on eBay for £100 so maybe worth biting the bullet. If it is just software issue it might get sorted within the hour they charge for a diagnostic assessment.

Good Luck

John

[Jimbob64]

3 minutes ago, Big John said:

Hi James.

I am assuming that the problem now is the warning message. Have you watched the voltage with the engine running? A real problem with charging should flatten the battery pretty quickly. My gut feeling is that you have a software issue and basically it needs a Ctrl+Alt+Delete to clear the error message. To do this you either need the proper Jaguar computer or a garage with the Autologic system (and the know-how to use it properly). If it was me I would bite the bullet and get a diagnostic from a Jag dealer. I had an issue with my parking sensors / camera and have a really good warranty from the non-jag vendor. They could not sort it (replaced the sensor their computer said, and it still didn't work). So I took it to Inchcape Jaguar in Preston after agreeing a diagnostic at a cost of £100 +Vat. which I felt was no where near as scarry as I expected. They diagnosed front bumper wiring loom and replaced it (not covered by warranty) for less than £300 inc VAT. The genuine loom was £48 inc VAT when used ones are on eBay for £100 so maybe worth biting the bullet. If it is just software issue it might get sorted within the hour they charge for a diagnostic assessment.

Good Luck

John

Hi John. I've checked the voltage with engine under load (12.0v), at tickover (12.2) and engine off (12.4v). It appears not to be charging at all - I can drive around 40 miles before other fault messages occur on the dash and by this time the battery voltage has dropped to around 11.7v and causes a gearbox fault and the power steering stops working... I then recharge battery and all other faults are gone, just the battery not charging warning written on the dash. I've reset the BMS each time the battery has been disconnected, checked all fuses with a meter and done a visual check along all plugs and cables.

My nearest dealer is about 70 miles away, although the autologic garage is a bit nearer. I just don't want to break down and have to be recovered...

 

[Big John]

Hi James

Only useful thing I can add is here: http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Electrical/XFWorkshopManual/2010XFRWorkshop.pdf which is a really big file to dowload. Other possible sources that may help are here http://www.jagrepair.com/JaguarXFElectricalOBDIICodes.htm and here: http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Electrical/XFWorkshopManual/Battery and Charging System.pdf

When you've looked at some of these manuals you will see just how many sources of the problem there could be. I would certainly need a garage to sort it 😞

Really hope you get it sorted.

John

 

[Jimbob64]

13 hours ago, Big John said:

Hi James

Only useful thing I can add is here: http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Electrical/XFWorkshopManual/2010XFRWorkshop.pdf which is a really big file to dowload. Other possible sources that may help are here http://www.jagrepair.com/JaguarXFElectricalOBDIICodes.htm and here: http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Electrical/XFWorkshopManual/Battery and Charging System.pdf

When you've looked at some of these manuals you will see just how many sources of the problem there could be. I would certainly need a garage to sort it 😞

Really hope you get it sorted.

John

 

Thanks again John. I'll have a look at those dowloads although you are correct in your assumption that it needs a garage to sort... I'm trying to find someone local who has the SDD set up who might be able to generate a proper code.

Cheers.