XF battery reporting low voltage

[Michael Bunce]

I only use my 2017 Jag XF diesel a couple of times a week.  Lately when I start it up I get the message "Battery voltage low. Start engine immediately". I don't want to be stuck somewhere unable to start it. My question is how low is the battery when this mesage appears? If I can start it tomorrow I will thrash it for a good half hour.

[Taurian]

As you will probably know, there are so many electronics operating in the background at all times.  My suggestion would be to invest in a CTEK trickle charger and keep it connected whilst not using the car.  It doesn't take long for the battery to deplete when not in use. 

[Jimbov8]

100% agree with the above. Lack of use will kill your battery without the use of a maintainer. A half hour thrash is not going to help much unfortunately.

[Michael Bunce]

Thank you all for the advice. Unfortunately I cannot park outside my house, so charging by running it is all I can do. Today I gave it a good long run, so I shall have to bite the bullet and waste good diesel.

[lou tennant]

I use one of these, seems to do the job.

[Big John]

12 hours ago, lou tennant said:

I use one of these, seems to do the job.

Whilst that is probably fine, personally I also use a controller to fit between the solar panel and the car. The panel, if connected directly can reach 18v output. With a controller that is capped. I use one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143963161628?hash=item2184df841c:g:heMAAOSwkG1gO1QY and when the voltage reaches 13.5v it stops charging the battery.

I only use this set-up for airports etc as normally keep the battery topped-up with a CTek when on the drive.

 

[Tomato]

There are some of those solar panel trickles that do have auto cut off, bit more pricy but worth it potentially.

[Dunedan]

On a related issue my XF has been standing for a while and I had the low battery warning.

I have put the car on charge overnight and the meter, on the charger, is still showing it drawing 2 amp is that usual?
 

 

[Big John]

15 hours ago, Dunedan said:

On a related issue my XF has been standing for a while and I had the low battery warning.

I have put the car on charge overnight and the meter, on the charger, is still showing it drawing 2 amp is that usual?
 

 

Hi Richard

Depends on the state of the car when you are measuring it. If you have unlocked the car and opened the boot to read it: Yes. As soon as you unlock it the car "wakes-up" and turns on all of the computers which use a lot of Amps. If you are reading it through a window with the car "asleep" then you probably have something which is suffering insomnia and failing to go to sleep when it should 🙂

John

[Jon Hyde]

4 hours ago, Big John said:

Hi Richard

Depends on the state of the car when you are measuring it. If you have unlocked the car and opened the boot to read it: Yes. As soon as you unlock it the car "wakes-up" and turns on all of the computers which use a lot of Amps. If you are reading it through a window with the car "asleep" then you probably have something which is suffering insomnia and failing to go to sleep when it should 🙂

John

John,

The "insomnia" got my ribs aching!

Sorry Richard, your car still has a problem, I know, but a little humour is something to cherish!

J

[Dunedan]

On 11/8/2021 at 6:24 AM, Big John said:

Hi Richard

Depends on the state of the car when you are measuring it. If you have unlocked the car and opened the boot to read it: Yes. As soon as you unlock it the car "wakes-up" and turns on all of the computers which use a lot of Amps. If you are reading it through a window with the car "asleep" then you probably have something which is suffering insomnia and failing to go to sleep when it should 🙂

John

Thanks for replying the meter reading was from when I opened the boot ( it’s a saloon). 
 

I thought it just sounded a high reading, so maybe alright then

Any way I’ve put it on a trickle charger.

Hopefully as the doctor has given me the okay to drive I can get more miles on it.

R

[Dunedan]

On 11/8/2021 at 10:31 AM, Jon Hyde said:

John,

The "insomnia" got my ribs aching!

Sorry Richard, your car still has a problem, I know, but a little humour is something to cherish!

J

I know humour is good😀

unfortunately my ribs are literally aching  3 + fractured ones and a broken collar bone but  I am now on the mend.

R