I own a 2000 model S-Type Jaguar and I'm having some trouble with the electrical system. Something is draining the battery (which is new) while the car sits overnight. Once the battery is recharged, everything operates fine. However, after sitting overnight something drains it down to the point where it won't crank the next morning. This has been happening about once a week. Also, the heated seat on the driver side stopped working. There seems to be an electrical short somewhere that I cannot find. Any help would be very appreciated.
First of all, one of the easiest & cheapest ways to find a draw in the system, if you don't have a clamp on style amp-meter, is with a 12volt test light that costs about $5-$10 at parts stores or hardware stores. You remove positive (+) cable from battery, and simply attach test light in between the battery cable & battery + post. Be careful neither end touches metal obviously. Anytime the test light is lit, you have a draw. If light is nice & bright, it's a fairly good draw, when dim, slight draw. When light goes out, no draw. Now start pulling and re-installing fuses. If you pull a fuse and bright light goes out, you've isolated the circuit.. I usually make sure I have notes or whatever is needed to insure I put fuses back where they should be, then I pull radio fuse and leave it out, as it will cause a constant draw for memory, and sometimes any accessory fuses such as lighter, or power socket for 12v chargers etc. With those out of the way, start pulling and watch light, if no change, put it back in. When I run into a real stumper, I make necessary notes if needed as before, and pull them all out, and light should be off. Now I start putting them in 1 at a time, and watch the light, when it comes on, I note that circuit, pull it back out, and do same with the rest. When your done you will have notes on every circuit that is causing a draw on your battery when sitting. Before you start, take your test light, go to all the fuses and touch little tips sticking out at end of fuses on both side to test for power, if only power on one side, that is a circuit that would not cause a draw when sitting & vehicle off. That would only be powered when key on, headlights on for example, so it doesn't come into play here. Leave those in if you want & it doesn't confuse you. Yes a little time consumming, but hey, think of the learning experience, and a simple test light, is something that every car owner should have anyway. Next time your wondering which fuse blew, you have a test light to tell you. As far as the heated seat goes, if there is a short there, and it's causing a lot of draw, pulling fuse should eliminate & confirm that.
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My car does the same thing and I can't find the cause. I replaced the battery and alternator and it still drains. My vehicle will drain overnight, but also if I drive for an extended period of time it will drain as I am driving. Any help would be VERY much appreciated. Thanks
My car drains as well. I have a 2001 S-Type. However, when I took it to the dealership they told me that the battery itself did not need to be replaced and that they would have to do a more thorough investigation. I didn't want them to keep it for hours on end and then charge me big bucks to tell me what the problem was so I left. I have finally figured out what it is. It's the radio. The other morning I noticed that my son cut the radio on before I even stuck the key in the ignition. Which means that it never really turned off. I can go outside in the middle of the night and open my car door and hit the stereo button and the radio will start to play just like the key was in the ignition. I am taking my car in on Friday to have it fixed now that I know what it is. Hope this helps you. You may be having the same problem.
sereneone32 & motor 1258...THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!! I had suspected problems with the radio...this confirmed it.
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