2000 Jaguar XJ8 Intermittent Starting Problem

BOB2880

MEMBER
2000 JAGUAR XJ8
V8
FWD
AUTOMATIC
99,100 MILES

Occasionally, car will not start It seems to have absolutely no battery power as interior lights nor anything else is working. Car will not unlock except with the key to the driver's door. Sometimes it will start after sitting for a bit, but not always. Sometimes moving the wiring harness or one of the battery cables seems to make a difference. Not always. This has been happening for almost 3 years, off and on. Car runs great, otherwise. Battery has been changed, checked several times, but was not the problem. Battery cables have been changed with no results. Obvious wiring has been checked with no answer to the problem. Alarm went off once when driver's door was opened, but alarm system was not on. Different keys/remote fobs have been used with no difference in problem.

1 Reply

DAVE H

MECHANIC
13,384 POSTS

INTERMITTENTLY DISCHARGED BATTERY - DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Reference Number(s): SECTION 414, NO. 06, Date of Issue: December, 2001
JAGUAR:1999-on XK Range; 1999-on V8 XJ Series
SECTION:414 - Electrical Power Supply System
Superceded Bulletin(s): SECTION 414, NO. 06, Date of Issue: October, 2000
Related Ref Number(s): SECTION 414, NO. 06
ARTICLE BEGINNING
DESCRIPTION
Intermittently Discharged Battery - Diagnostic Procedure
In the event of customer complaints of incidents of an intermittent fully discharged battery, a diagnostic procedure may be required to determine the source of a possible intermittent current drain. The condition is most likely to arise after the vehicle has been parked or garaged overnight, particularly in cool or cold ambient conditions.
BULLETIN CONTENT
Fig. 1: Page 1 of Bulletin
Fig. 2: Page 2 of Bulletin
Fig. 3: Page 3 of Bulletin
Fig. 4: Page 4 of Bulletin