HI My 2008 XKRs tail lights and some of the front lights will not switch of with the dash lights on indicator lit . Sure enough the battery was dead so we disconnected it and recharged it and still when reconnected the lights came straight back on. By switching on the left hand indicator the lights sometime go out but within minutes the lights all come back on. Do I need a new battery ? If so is it s aspecail battery or can I use a generic one from the car store?
Thanks
C

Submitted by stevejag@sbcgl… on Mon, 05/06/2013 - 09:29

Howard,

Actually the venting and corrosive point applies to ANY vehicle where the battery is contained inside the vehicle, or in an enclosed battery box. But it is even more critical with an aluminum body. X-Types contain the battery in a closed box under the bonnet, I have seen one instance of the box exploding because it wasn't vented. I can't tell you how many cars I've run into with the boots a corroded, powdery mess because someone failed to reconnect the vent.

Everyone would do well to verify their battery is properly vented once in a while. The vent hose is sometimes easy to kink, so it's something I inspect at service intervals in the shop.

Cheers,

Submitted by NE98-51693 on Mon, 05/06/2013 - 08:48

Steven
Excellent point on battery venting. I have checked all the local battery suppliers, including Sears, Walmart, Batteries plus and 2 local stores, all offer batteries that physically will fit with 800 or 850 cold cranking amps, but none have the external vents, so they would be unacceptable for use in an aluminum body vehicle.

Carole
hopefully your batteries is OK and doesn't require costly replacement.

Howard

Submitted by stevejag@sbcgl… on Sun, 05/05/2013 - 22:27

Carole,

The lights parking lights coming on like that is a characteristic of your XK when the battery is almost run down. It happens when the voltage gets low enough the modules can't think straight. That doesn't necessarily mean the battery is bad, but it cold be. It may have been run down by some other problem causing excessive draw as well. The battery should be charged and tested to know for sure.

If it is to be replaced, you need to be sure of a few things. It must be the correct size to both be retained properly in it's mount, and short enough to fit under the trim panel that covers it properly. It also must have provisions for and be properly vented to the tube currently connected to one end of the battery. An unvented battery is dangerous and can lead to corrosion to the vehicle body in the area of the battery; especially an aluminum body such as yours. Unfortunately, many techs ignore the vent when replacing batteries that are housed inside the vehicle. The battery must have a Cold Cranking Amp rating of at least 800 Amps to be sufficient for your car, as well.

Personally, I would price both your local dealer and an independent of your choice. Just to be sure the indy is in fact cheaper than the dealer. It's possible a battery meeting all the requirements above will be every bit the cost of the correct one from your dealer.

Good luck!

Submitted by vineyardman68@… on Sun, 05/05/2013 - 21:37

Carole,

I'm sure you know this, but just as a refresher---on the directional signal lever the light switch rotates, and if you have it in the first two positions from "OFF", the running lights in the front and the tail lights will be on [without the key in the ignition] and will remain on until the battery is dead.

If this is not the problem, I would suspect the switch, and you might try rotating the switch back & forth a few times. It may correct the problem. If not, a dealer is your best bet before spending unnessary money.

Cheers

Garfield

Submitted by NE98-51693 on Sun, 05/05/2013 - 08:35

First I would have someone do a load test on the existing battery. If replacement is needed, any local autoparts chain should be able to look it up. That also includes Sears, and Walmart. At 5 years, most batteries are nearing the end of their lives, but there are MANY exceptions to that rule. Once that is all confirmed, I would then see how the light sensor works for day and night settings.

RyeJag