Hi,

I have bought my self a 1997 XK8 and i'm picking it up in two weeks.
I'm flying in from Abroad and getting a taxi round to his house and driving it home.
I haven't seen the car in the flesh ( i know! ) but i've had the underside checked and it's in top order.
The car had a new alternator ( not original i think ) three years ago.
As you can see from the picture, the Ammeter is showing 13 volts at tickover.
The seller, who has had the vehicle regularly serviced, assures me it is charging.

My question is, will it be ok to drive 250 miles to Lancashire, or should i get it checked out locally?

I'll be joining the AA, i just want to make sure i'm not going to damage anything.

It's not regularly driven, stored in a garage. He drove to and from the inspection place two weeks ago ( battery light on ) and says it starts and runs fine.

He's an honest guy, but he doesn't even know how to open the bonnet!

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers


Battery light on, ammeter shows 13 volts

 

Chris,

First, congratulations on your purchase of a 99 X100. Second, if the seller thinks the alternator is charging the battery, the problem maybe just a wiring short from the alternator voltage regulator to the dash. I’ve never had this problem so can’t go into specifics.

I suppose you’re worried about being stranded, so the UK’s AAA rescue service is a good idea.

But there’s an easy way to check, if you’re handy with a voltmeter. With the car running, put voltmeter across the battery terminals. Should get around 14V. Don’t trust the voltmeter dial on the dash. It’s maybe ok, when you initially start the car, but stays in the middle during a run so IMHO not accurate.

Enjoy the 250 trip, and I think you’ll be surprised how assured the car is, plus she’s a real head turner.

Let us know what you find on the shake down run. It’s a Gen1, of 3 during the 10 year model range, and this Forum has “seen it all.”

 

If it rattles when you start it, might want to walk away, or get his receipt for the tensioner replacement.
Here's hoping all is well and you have a great adventure.

 

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.

It's had a new replacement engine at 40K fitted by Jaguar i don't know what year it went in. The guy has had it for 5 years and it's wanted for nothing.
It was previously owned for 11 years by a guy who owned a Jaguar specialist garage, so i'm hoping it's been done.
I've budgeted to get the tensioners done anyway, but my hunch is that they have already been replaced.
Any rattles and i'll be calling the AA to get it moved.
the seller knows nothing about cars, only how to drive them, so there is no point in asking him any questions.
There's a box full of reciepts for work carried out, i'll read them before i set off.
I'm on a ship at the moment, so i haven't had a chance to look at them.
I bought it based on the condition of the underneath and body work, which are both immaculate, anything mechanical can always be fixed.

Cheers

Chris

 

Personally I wouldn't set out on a 250 mile journey with that message on, unless I knew the battery was in fact charging and the error message was incorrect. The car may well do a short journey as the seller has told you, but I wouldn't like to try my luck on a motorway.

Have a look at this thread which points out various fuses and earth straps which could be the culprit, and at the very least test the voltage at the battery as David has suggested.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...g-light-20821/

 

The "not regularly driven" would make the decision for me. It's a very different proposition doing a few short drives in a 23 year old Jaguar to suddenly taking it on an extended motorway trip. The only way I'd contemplate that is going to collect it with a friend in another car to follow me home and a good set of tools.

These cars are very sensitive to battery charge and condition. You could easily end up stranded or in restricted performance.

Graham

 

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.
I joined the AA, best 100 pounds you'll ever spend, covered for relay and recovery anywhere in UK and Ireand in any car i'm driving or am a passenger in!

I've bought a Volt meter and i'll give it the once over and listen for the "death rattle" of the tensioners. I'm almost certain they've been done, but as i'm on a boat and the seller knows nothing about cars, i'l only be able to check when i get my hands on the historty file.

I bought a 17 year old Bedford Rascal van for 70 quid and drove it to Mongolia in 2007, i reckon i'll make to to Lancashire!

Cheers

Chris

 

Chris, not sure if you're weighing Dibbit and Grahams' advice properly. A swinging alternator issue can both cause this warning and measure >13volts.
I'm not trying to be negative, just don't want you to have a nasty surprise mate.
OTOH if your towing insurance will cover it for the distance, that might be a positive. I don't know how the UK works but here in the USA certain roads cannot be serviced by independent tow trucks aka-your towing service. New York city is famous for this. (Dont break down on the Cross Bronx expressway or the BQE without apocket full of cash! - ask me how I know :-))
so if you tow company is barred from servicing certain roads, do plan a route around them.

Good luck, John

 

Hi John,

In the UK they'll pick you up and take you home from anywhere! My girlfirend got stuck in a car park with a height barrier once and the tow truck couln't get until the morning and they paid for dinner and a Hotel!

As long as some amps going to the battery, i'll be fine.
I'm driving it home in daylight so i won't be using much, just the coil and fans if it gets hot, which i doubt on the motorway.

Cheers

Chris

 

Sounds great Chris. Keep us posted and I look forward to working with you as we all put our heads together to keep these beauties running perfectly.
John

 

Sounds like you have an adventure approaching. All here will want to know the outcome. Check everything you can, and good luck. From your history sounds like you have 'a little experience'.