Help/advice please - Jaguar XF 2012 won’t start

[Barry123457]

Hi, my XF wouldn’t start this morning. Have recently noticed an orange message “Park break fault” but this has only appeared occasionally in the past few weeks. Then this morning the car didn’t start and had the message “gearbox fault” I tried to start it a few times, the break is now really stiff and car won’t start at all. Has anyone else had this happen? A Google search this morning mentions battery problems but it feels like it’s not going to be as simple as this. 
 

 

[Big John]

Hi Barry.

Given the temperatures this morning, battery issues would be top-of my list. Can you give some more detail on the non-start. Did the engine turn over at normal speed or was it sluggish? Have you tried a jump start? If you have a battery charger that would be my first port of call.

How old is the battery? Has stop-start worked normally recently? Do you do lots of short journeys?

Good luck

John

[Barry123457]

8 minutes ago, Big John said:

Hi Barry.

Given the temperatures this morning, battery issues would be top-of my list. Can you give some more detail on the non-start. Did the engine turn over at normal speed or was it sluggish? Have you tried a jump start? If you have a battery charger that would be my first port of call.

How old is the battery? Has stop-start worked normally recently? Do you do lots of short journeys?

Good luck

John

Hi John thanks for replying. The car hasn’t started at all. I got in the car early this morning, the first message I had was “steering column locked” so I started it the usual way, it attempted to start but didn’t make it. So I kept trying and then noticed the “gearbox fault” message. I think I’ve tried too many times as now the break pad is really stiff and will barely press. Stop start has worked fine, to be honest not sure how old the battery is, I’ve had the car since 2018. I’ve not tried a jump start. I do a lot of short journeys yes. 

[Big John]

Lots of short journeys, particularly with stop-start will quickly drain the battery. The cold will also be making the batteru weaker and the Oil thicker/ resitance to turn-over greater. Slow turnover is because battery can't cope.

These cars are basically dozens of computers wrapped in mechanics and they don't take kindly to low voltages which trigger erroneous error messages. Sometimes the low voltage can scramble one or more module so that they need re-programming but hopefully if you can get thet battery charged you chould be OK. 

Remember to attach the -ve cble of the charger to the car body NOT the battery terminal as there is a computer in the battery earth strap and the car will not recognise how much charge you have given the battery unless the current flows through the bttery control module at the end of the earth strap.

Good luck

John

[Barry123457]

1 hour ago, Big John said:

Lots of short journeys, particularly with stop-start will quickly drain the battery. The cold will also be making the batteru weaker and the oil thicker/ resitance to turn-over greater. Slow turnover is because battery can't cope.

These cars are basically dozens of computers wrapped in mechanics and they don't take kindly to low voltages which trigger erroneous error messages. Sometimes the low voltage can scramble one or more module so that they need re-programming but hopefully if you can get thet battery charged you chould be OK. 

Remember to attach the -ve cble of the charger to the car body NOT the battery terminal as there is a computer in the battery earth strap and the car will not recognise how much charge you have given the battery unless the current flows through the bttery control module at the end of the earth strap.

Good luck

John

Ok thanks for your help I will try this 

[Wrinkly]

6 hours ago, Barry123457 said:

Hi, my XF wouldn’t start this morning. Have recently noticed an orange message “Park break fault” but this has only appeared occasionally in the past few weeks. Then this morning the car didn’t start and had the message “gearbox fault” I tried to start it a few times, the break is now really stiff and car won’t start at all. Has anyone else had this happen? A Google search this morning mentions battery problems but it feels like it’s not going to be as simple as this. 
 

 

Barry

Jaguars are battery thirsty (especially I find my S-Type was).

I cured the problem by investing in a CTEK MS 7 Battery Charger / Re-conditioner . Use mine at least once per month and for at least 24 hours at a time. Marvellous machine which I use successfully Summer and Winter. Many people on this Forum find it a worthwhile investment for keeping a good battery in excellent condition.

Best Wishes and Regards, John

[James 646]

As John say's Xf's are very battery thirsty. I have my CTEK MXS 5 connected  as soon as I get back home from a drive out especially in this cold weather. I hope you get it sorted mate, keep us up to date buddy.

    James