New owner of old XF - new alternator required?

[Scankguy]

Hello all. I bought a 2011 XF from an auction last week, looks lovely but it sucks the charge out of starting packs and dies. Wasnt too surprised it had issues as auctioned, first thought the battery was tired as very cold day. Guys from the auction place started it with a starter pack, engine dies as soon as pack disconected. It emptied the pack when connected to drive out of the secure car park. Emptied the towing service guys starter pack without even driving off the trailer.... Battery is currently charging and will see if it holds charge later.. The car did drive itself into the auction and back to the parking lot (without issue the guys told me).

Sounds like an alternator to me.... Utube shows this replacement is a reasonable DIY job so will have a bash when the weather is better. But I would like the car serviced and inspected for other faults by a competent independant garage ideally with the Jag diagnostics. I live near Kinross so any reccomendations of a garage around the central belt of Fife, Clacks or Perth would be a great help.

Thanks!

 

 

[N6 JMX]

Hi David, welcome to Jaguar motoring. Not sure of any Jaguar independents adjacent to you, but there is always Prestige Jaguar in Paisley if you need a true specialist, but for initial repairs, like a new alternator and scanning for codes, most of the independent garages can be used and have access to suitable multi marque diagnostics.

Probably worth asking whomever serviced / repaired your previous vehicles, where presumably you have a history.

N6 JMX

[Scankguy]

Many thanks N6 JMX. Unfortunalty the two local backstreet motors garages I use have both got long waiting lists. The service book shows that the car was serviced (Oil changes)  by a garage not so far from me so I may look them up. I suspect I should be thinking about a cam belt (72k miles, but 13 years old) and gearbox lube so want to make sure its done right. Sometimes you can get lucky at auction but ofter you buy cheap at auction but spend more on repairs.

[N6 JMX]

Hi David, I think the belt change should be 10 years and the gearbox Oil and filter change at 60,000 miles, so good to have them completed soonest. I think a lot of the smaller garages are looking at booking some 2 weeks ahead, which is probably a consequence of the outrageous labour charges at main dealers. Typically a factor of times four!

Perhaps an Auto Electrician could offer you an earlier looksee?

N6 JMX