Electrical circuits.

[gazby17]

Hello to all.

 I have a 2002 X-type 2.5 petrol, auto with about 52000 miles on the clock, bought from new.

As you can see, the car's not been used much and has led a cosseted life standing for lengthy periods in a dry garage, in park with the ignition off.

Now, I have always noticed that even with the ignition off, there is a slight whirring or faint buzzing coming from the centre area of the dashboard and learnt that I cannot leave the car for more than 2 weeks, even with the alarm off, as the battery will be flat.

Over the years I have bought numerous batteries, I think I'm on about the 8th or 9th battery now, 4 of which have been in the last 10 years; the current resident is just over 2 years old, correct spec. and fitted by the dealer, so I know the battery is healthy.

I thought that with the ignition off, all circuits are supposed to be open and therefore with no power, nothing should be left running, or indeed even able to run.

Therefore, the question is what is this noise, should it be running all the time and if so, what on earth is it?

The car's always left in park, ignition and alarm off (or it discharges the battery even quicker, obviously), doors shut and everything apparently off.

I think it should be able to live for more than 2 weeks parked up; the wife has a Toyota Yaris which can stand for 5 - 6 weeks and start; I can't even leave it at the airport for 2 weeks away, as it won't last with the alarm on.

As a result I have to leave the car on a permanent float charge, or start and run it at least every 10- 12 days even when I don't need to go anywhere, which obviously isn't ideal.

All comments/suggestions would be much appreciated!

Cheers.

Gareth

[Leo]

I am no electrical expert, but a number of functions keep running even with the ignition off, and that number increases if the doors aren’t locked.

My XK is left for two months at a time when we travel to NZ to visit our daughter. I leave it with the CTEK battery conditioner running, and this has worked perfectly for the last five years. It is perfectly OK to leave it like this, and an an awful lot cheaper (and better for the environment) than buying multiple batteries.

I also value the assurance of knowing that when I go back to the car the battery will be fully charged.

[gazby17]

Hello Leo..... do you know which circuits/functions remain live?

To my mind, to make a whirring sound something has to be turning, so for something to be spinning in the dash with ignition off is a bit weird to say the least.

If this is normal, hopefully literally hundreds of X-type owners will reply confirming this. In the meantime, I will stick the battery charger.... it's a bit like owning a fire engine..... on a permanent charge!

Cheers.

[Leo]

Sorry Gareth, I have read before which circuits remain live, but can’t remember the details. I do recall that there are less circuits live when it is locked, and less again when double locked.

Other members will hopefully give details.

[gazby17]

Ok thanks.... I'm probably better off locking it then and actually, double locking it.

I'll obviously stick with the float charge going forward.

Cheers