|
Today's auto electrical systems are getting more intricate
and are stressing the limits of current technology but they
are basically the same design as 30 years ago. What can
today's do-it-yourselfer do to keep from being
electrically-challenged in the middle of nowhere? A quick
overview of your Jaguar's electrical system would be a good
start. The major components of your Jaguar's electrical system
are explained below, along with some troubleshooting tips.
Your Jaguar's Battery
The battery is a storage device, currently 12 volts, used
to start the engine and help operate the electrical
accessories installed on your Honda. The battery consists of
six cells of stacked positive and negative lead plates,
separated by insulators and immersed in electrolyte, which is
a water and sulfuric acid mixture. Each of the six cells
"produces" 2.1 volts for a total of 12.6 volts (although it's
actually stored energy, not produced).
The chemical reaction created between the lead plates and
the electrolyte creates dangerous, explosive gases that vent
through the battery cover vents. Care should always be taken
when charging or jump starting low batteries and whenever
working under the hood of the car. Always keep the battery
clean to allow proper ventilation.
Some batteries use a gel to replace the electrolyte for a
somewhat safer battery and the use of "maintenance-free"
batteries has eliminated the need for refilling the
electrolyte. However, all batteries lose charging capacity
over time through the loss of the electrolyte, deterioration
of the plates and chemical breakdown of the connections.
Whenever your Jaguar exhibits symptoms of a charging or
starting system failure, the most basic test that should be
performed first is a visual and voltage test of the battery.
Knowing the exact condition of the battery is the best way to
know whether or not to suspect other system components and can
prevent the unnecessary installation of a starter or
alternator, which cannot repair the vehicle until the battery
is up to snuff.
To analyze the condition of a battery, very little
high-tech equipment is really needed. While there is excellent
equipment available for big $$$$, all that is really needed is
a good DVOM (Digital Volt Ohm Meter), a battery charger, some
patience and a little common sense.
A quick way to tell if a battery needs recharging is by
observing the "eye" on the battery and being able to determine
what the color of the eye is telling you. Below is a chart of
various battery manufacturers that use a colored eye, as well
as what the different colors mean:
Brand Names |
Charge Indicator
Color |
Battery Charge
Condition |
Atlas, Delco, Delkor |
Green |
Good |
Rocket, Solite, Yuasa |
Blue or Green |
Good |
Atlas, Delco, Delkor |
Dark |
Needs Charging |
Rocket, Solite, Yuasa |
White |
Needs Charging |
Atlas, Delco, Delkor |
Clear or Light Yellow |
Low fluid level; battery should be
replaced |
Rocket, Solite, Yuasa |
Red |
Low fluid level; battery should be
replaced |
Before replacing any battery due to a failure, have the
battery and the car's electrical system tested for proper
functioning. Replacing a dead battery only to have another a
few weeks later due to a weak alternator or a parasitic drain
on the system is not only frustrating but can be expensive and
dangerous as well.
An average battery should last 3-5 years in average
climates but those in high heat or extreme cold areas may last
only 2-3 years. The replacement battery should always have the
same or higher CCA rating (cold cranking amps) as the original
and be of the same or compatible "group size" to fit the
battery tray and cable connections.
Your Jaguar's Alternator
The alternator produces electricity used to maintain
battery storage charge and to help run all the electrical
accessories, including the ignition and the engine control
systems. It is belt-driven by the engine and produces an
alternating current (AC), which is converted internally to 12
volts direct current (DC) by the diode bridge or
rectifiers.
AC current cannot be stored but is much more efficiently
produced, which is why cars no longer use generators but use
alternators and convert the electricity to DC. Most
alternators now use internal voltage regulators to maintain
the proper system voltage, from 12.6-14.5 volts. You should
check your Jaguar's repair manual or with your local dealer to
obtain the exact proper voltage for your Jaguar.
Contrary to popular belief, an alternator does not
constantly produce electricity. It cycles on and off as demand
goes up and down. The battery buffers it from the electrical
demands of the car, and it only works enough to maintain
system voltage. At peak efficiency and for longest life, the
alternator should be charging no more than about 50% of the
time.
However, with the demands placed on the system by heat and
by extraneous electrical devices (i.e., high powered stereos,
running lights, etc. - see Power Demand Chart below), the
alternator and battery are stressed even further. The average
alternator now is lucky to last 3-4 years, which is why a
prematurely dead battery may actually be caused by a dead
alternator.
Typical Power Demands on a car's charging system are as
follows:
Equipment |
Electrical
Draw |
Rear Window Defogger |
25 amps |
High Blower |
20 amps |
Headlamps (low) |
15 amps |
Windshield Wipers |
6 amps |
Ignition |
6 amps |
Brake Lights |
5 amps |
Total |
77
Amps |
And this doesn't include amperage requirements for items
like cell phones, laptops, CD players, boom boxes or
additional lights.
Understanding the importance of having an operational
warning light for the alternator (idiot light) is crucial to
catching problems early. In most modern systems, the
electrical current passing through the filament of the warning
light is what energizes a circuit in the alternator to start
charging.
This signal light is linked directly to the alternator
through its terminal (#1, I, L, D+, etc. depending on the
brand) and functions slightly differently on different
manufacturers.
To check the warning light circuit, turn the ignition
switch to the "on" position without cranking or starting the
engine; if the idiot light does not come on, remove the plug
from the alternator and ground the wire that terminates to the
#1, I, L or D+ terminal (depending on manufacturer). If the
light comes on, the wiring is okay but the alternator is
defective; if the light still does not come on, the wiring to
the light circuit and the bulb should be checked.
Don't forget to check the fuse that controls the light
circuit, too. This fuse could be labeled differently in
various cars. It could be labeled "charging", "regulator",
"meters", "gauges" or "engine". In some cars, if the fuse is
out, the idiot light will come on but may not go off. In
others (like GM), a burned out fuse may make the warning light
work in reverse order; that is, when the key is on, the light
is off but as soon as the engine starts and the alternator
starts charging, the light will come on.
Checking out these simple circuits first can greatly reduce
your troubleshooting time and unnecessary replacement of your
alternator.
As we delve further into charge light indicators, we find
that in some cases it is normal for the charge indicator light
to come on when nothing is wrong with the alternator.
According to information published by GM, any car may have
a low voltage reading or lights that dim when electrical loads
are heavy at idle. Furthermore, this condition is normal and
no repairs should be attempted unless a fault has been
found.
For clarification, as a car idles for extended periods of
time during high heat conditions, a number of things happen
that contribute to "lowered" alternator output that coincides
with physics and the design of the alternator:
1. As heat within the alternator increases, the
electrical resistance in the alternator also increases, which
reduces the alternator's charging capacity.
2. As temperature rises, the voltage setpoint of
the regulator is lowered to reduce the chance of overcharging
or "boiling" the battery.
3. Newer designed alternators have a "delay/soft
start" built into the regulator circuit. This delays the load
being placed upon the engine when starting up from a stop, so
that the smaller engines in use today are not loaded down upon
acceleration due to charging demands. This can delay the
charging by up to 15 seconds.
With the alternator's capacity for charging reduced by heat
and other factors, an alternator may only be able to produce
up to 70% of its rated output under these conditions. So an
alternator rated for 100 amps may only be able to produce 70
amps when hot at idle when there is 77 or more amps of demand
on it.
If it can be considered normal for warning lights to glow
while a healthy alternator is running, how do you know if the
alternator is really good or if there are other problems
lurking around?
A thorough diagnosis is always the best route to
determining whether or not the alternator is at fault, but
there are times when diagnosis time is short and you still
need a positive identification of the problem. Cases like this
require a foolproof tool to speed things up. In the case of
Delco CS series alternators, there is a tool available from
Kent-Moore tools (J-41450-B), which isolates the alternator
from the car's wiring harness and lets you see if the
alternator is at fault or if there is a wiring problem
elsewhere within the car's wiring harness. The best thing
about this tool, besides being compact and handheld, is that
it doesn't require any interpretation of data by the operator.
The little light on the unit lights or doesn't light depending
upon whether the alternator is good or not.
Unfortunately, while this is a great little piece of
equipment and there are other similar tools available, once
you determine that the alternator is not the culprit, you
still have to fix the electrical problem.
Your Jaguar's Starter
The other major electrical component in your Jaguar's
electrical system is used only a few times a day but is the
single largest power user and most critical to your Jaguar's
operation - its starter. The starter is simply a DC motor that
turns the engine crankshaft through the flywheel, starting the
combustion process by creating compression within the
cylinders. Voltage to the starter is supplied directly from
the battery and is controlled by a relay and/or solenoid
operated from the key switch inside your Jaguar.
Starters can be of varying types and designs -
gear-reduction types for higher torque, permanent-magnet types
to reduce size and weight, or just plain, old-fashioned heavy
starters. But whatever the type, they all function in the same
basic way.
A slow cranking engine may be a sign of a bad starter and
with age, that's more and more likely. But on most cars today,
it's due to low battery voltage, poor electrical connections
at the battery or a failed relay or fusible link.
Most starters will easily outlast a new vehicle warranty if
it's not overused, if good connections are maintained and if
it's not overheated through dirt and grime buildup.
Starting your Jaguar with the major components turned off
(like the AC compressor, blower motor and high-powered
stereos) will greatly ease the load on the starter. In fact,
most new cars have "lock out" relays that will not allow the
AC compressor and alternator to turn on until after the
vehicle has been started. But turning these power-hogs off
before shutting off your Jaguar is always a good
precaution.
Although the starter drive, or "Bendix" as it was commonly
referred to, can be replaced separately from the starter
assembly, it's rarely recommended anymore. Failure of any part
is due to age, usage and heat stress, to which the entire
starter has also been subjected, so that other parts are just
as old and stressed. It's quite common to replace the starter
drive only to have to buy another starter in a few months
because the brushes wore out, a magnet broke, the solenoid
failed, among other common mishaps. Replace the starter as a
unit and have the electrical system checked at the same time
to prevent further problems.
Other Troubleshooting & Maintenance Tips For Your
Jaguar's Electrical System
Your Jaguar's electrical system should be completely
checked and tested every two years or whenever serviced for
any type of driveability problem. Many problems associated
with day-to-day driveability are caused by voltage variations
and must be the first step in troubleshooting any problem.
This is due to the use of computerized controls in most cars
these days and even quite minor voltage changes can alter the
controls.
Your Jaguar's electrical system must be load tested to
certain standards, which can be simulated by turning on all
the accessories and lights for simple voltage drain but that
is not an all-inclusive test. Measuring circuit loads with an
ammeter, circuit voltage drops with a DVOM, variable circuit
load testing, etc. is the only way to fully check function.
With electrical systems operating at 80%-100% of capacity
nowadays (see Power Demand Chart), it is crucial that it be up
to standards.
The average do-it-yourselfer would have little need to
purchase the more critical test equipment, so if voltmeter
testing doesn't pinpoint the problem, get a thorough checkup
done from an auto electrical technician who knows your
Jaguar's system.
A complete and thorough test involves much more than
sticking a voltmeter on the battery and the average
do-it-yourselfer does not have the test equipment nor does
he/she need it. You should allow a professional to do this
test. As a good starting point, though, most major chain auto
parts stores offer a free service test (in the hopes of
selling you a battery or alternator) that should be good
enough to notify you of any major problems. Most early
problems start from poor electrical connections due to loose
connections and/or buildup of corrosion, especially at the
battery posts. Keep that battery clean!
Idiot Light Electrical Problems By Car Make
Here are a few quirky electrical problems - organized by
car make - to help you troubleshoot your import car's
electrical system idiosyncrasies:
BMW
#1: The starter on many late model BMWs
incorporates a one-way clutch that allows the engine to spin
faster than the starter during engagement. While this makes
for smooth, quiet starting and gear engagement, it also
provides opportunity for problems.
Many BMWs requiring a Bosch reman starter SR0445X are
experiencing multiple starter failures due to the starter
motor remaining engaged after the engine has started and the
ignition key has been released.
You guessed it . . . there's nothing wrong with the starter
- it's the ignition lock cylinder assembly. The mechanical
portion of the ignition switch gets hung up in the start
position and doesn't return to the run position. When this
happens, the one-way clutch in the starter allows the starter
to continue spinning with the engine; prolonged use in this
condition will overheat the starter causing permanent damage
as well as draining the battery. To correct this condition,
the entire lock cylinder, steering lock and electrical switch
unit must be replaced.
BMW
#2: BMW has recognized that a similar
problem exists with 1989 635s (AL145X and AL0740X Bosch reman
alternators), where the battery runs down due to a 300
milliamp draw on the battery caused by the trunk light switch.
Instead of coming up with a new switch, BMW suggests that the
trunk light switch that is connected to terminal "30" (hot at
all times) be rerouted to terminal "R", which is only "hot"
when the ignition switch is sent to Accy, Run or Start.
In order to do this, the red/green wire should be removed
from the glove box light, then taped securely back into the
wiring harness. Next, a length of .75mm wire approximately
700mm long should have a connector and connector housing
attached to one end. This end should then be connected to the
glove box light, where the red/green wire was removed.
The other end of the 700mm long wire should be connected to
the violet/white wire from the radio using a crimp type
connector. This may sound too simple and maybe it is . . . you
have to remove the glove box trim and the radio to perform
this wiring maneuver.
BMW
#3: 1992 BMW 318i models with a central
locking system may exhibit frequently discharged batteries due
to dome lights sporadically remaining on. This is due to
faulty door lock striker plates that have the light contact
switch built in. Seems that some versions of these switches
were leaky and when water, dirt, salt, etc. leaked in, the
contacts in the switch were bridged causing the lights to stay
on even though the car was not running. Rather than needlessly
replace the alternator (Bosch reman alternators AL0153X,
AL0152X, AL0151X), look at the striker plates first. If they
have an alphabetic letter lower than "L", they need to be
replaced with an improved switch (51 21 8 105 511).
Honda/Acura
#1: Some 1986-88 Acura Legend Sedans and
Coupes and 1987-91 Sterlings (Bosch reman alternator AL250X)
may exhibit a low charging rate condition. This situation is
caused by an alternator pulley of incorrect diameter. To
correct this condition, Acura has issued a pulley/belt kit
(06310-PL2-004), which contains a smaller diameter pulley and
belt. This pulley/belt combination increases the alternator
RPM, which increases the alternator output at low engine
RPMs.
Honda/Acura
#2: Some 1982 Honda Accords suffer
repeated alternator and battery failures due to a melted
plastic 6-wire connector in the charging circuit wiring
harness. The original charging circuit wiring does not have
wire of sufficient diameter to handle the maximum current of
the alternator under repeated high charging demands. When
replacing alternators (Bosch reman alternator AL258X) on these
cars, always inspect the condition of this connector as a part
of the procedure. It will be necessary to remove the
windshield wiper fluid reservoir to gain access to the
connector because it's located between the battery and the
reservoir. A wiring harness with increased charging capacity
and replacement plastic connectors is available through
Honda.
Honda/Acura
#3: 1991-1992 Honda Accords and 1990-1992
Acura Legends (Bosch reman alternator AL1262X) suffer from a
similar malady as Hondas. The glove box light may stay on
after the car has been turned off, causing an undue discharge
of the battery, leading to a low state of charge or no-start
condition.
Honda and Acura both suggest to first check the glove box
door for proper alignment. If the door is properly aligned,
then the switch plunger for the glove box light is too short.
To fix this, a retro-fit tube cap has been released by the
manufacturers of these cars which, when placed over the
original switch plunger, extends it to the proper length to
make the glove box light shut off when necessary. Tube cap
part numbers are 34254-SM4-013 (Honda) or 34254-SP0-A03
(Acura).
Honda/Acura
#4: Honda Accords, Preludes, Civics and
Acura Integras built from 1986-1989 (Bosch reman alternators
AL256X, AL382X, AL383X, AL386X, AL387X, AL388X, AL451X) are
prone to a no-start condition due to a low battery charge.
This condition can be traced to frequent short trip driving
with the rear window defogger left in the "on" position, along
with high underhood temperatures. The combination of the
continual discharge due to the defogger being left on and the
high underhood temperatures, tends to cause these models to
dine out frequently on batteries.
To curb the battery appetite of these cars, Honda and Acura
have introduced defogger switch/timers and a battery heat
shield. The defogger switch/timer automatically shuts off
after 25 minutes, and the heat shield helps deflect some of
the engine's heat away from the battery. Honda part numbers
are 35500-SE0-A11 (defogger switch/timer) and 06377-SE3-A00
(battery cover kit). Acura only offers these parts as a
complete kit: 1986-87 models are kit 06377-SD2-A01 and 1988-89
models are kit 06377-SD2-A11.
Jaguar
#1: 1992-94 Jaguar sedans (Bosch reman
alternators AL191X and AL192X) are prone to batteries in a low
state of charge due to cooling fans staying on after the
ignition has been shut off. The cause of this condition has
been traced to corrosion in the cooling fan control module. To
repair this condition, the corrosion must be removed from the
control module, but the real culprit is how the corrosion gets
there.
The corrosion is caused by water entering the ground wire
cores and traveling inside the wire insulation to the module.
To prevent this from happening again, the ground wire eyelet
connectors on the left inner front fender panel must be
disconnected and sealed with heat shrink tubing to prevent
water from entering the wires again.
Jaguar
#2: Owners of 1994 XJ6s and XJ12s (Bosch
reman alternators AL9343X, AL192X) may get tired of taking
their cats back to the car vet for repeated cases of
discharged batteries. In many cases, these kitties are
suffering from a feline disease known as "cooling fan run
on".
This condition is brought on by corrosion in the cooling
fan wiring harness connector. To cure this condition, the
existing harness connection has to be located behind the front
left side fog lamp. If an inspection of the harness connector
shows it to be corroded, Jaguar suggests that it be replaced
with a new radiator fan switch kit - part numbers JLM12040
(XJ6s) and JLM12041 (XJ12s).
Upon installation of the replacement connectors, all wiring
connections should be done with the use of a "Duraseal"
connector to prevent corrosion in the future.
Porsche
#1: Owners of Porsche 911s (Bosch reman
starter SR68X) commonly complain of starters with a severe
toothache due to damaged teeth on the pinion gear. Before
installing another starter, inspect the teeth on the ring
gear. If they appear damaged, Porsche suggests replacing the
original ring gear with a new ring gear (950 116 143 01),
which is wider. The wider ring gear provides for better
engagement of the pinion gear and, in turn, longer life for
both the starter and ring gear.
Porsche
#2: As early as 1984, many 1978-83
Porsche 911s hit the emergency room with complaints ranging
from low output to no output. After a thorough examination,
Porsche determined that the location of the alternator in the
engine compartment was the cause of apparent heat stroke.
Since they could not redesign the layout of the engine
compartment, Porsche prescribed a new voltage regulator, which
had aluminum cooling fins and two cable connections instead of
one. This improved design helps the voltage regulator
dissipate heat better and provides higher reliability. This
remedy worked so well that Porsche made it a running
production change in the 1984 and later models.
To help keep these Porsches in tip top shape, Bosch has
been remanufacturing Porsche 911 and 928 alternators (AL325X,
AL400X and AL401X) with 100% new original Valeo voltage
regulators since July of 1996.
As an added cure for these same cars, Bosch has introduced
three new part numbers - alternators that are not
remanufactured but are actually brand, spanking new - AL325N,
AL400N and AL401N. These are 100% factory original new Valeo
alternators. Obviously these are a bit higher priced than
their remanufactured counterparts, but they are just what the
doctor ordered for you Porsche Purists who want only an
original.
Porsche
#3: Many early model Volkswagen, Porsche
and Saab cars (Bosch reman starters SR15X, SR17X, SR68X,
SR78X) suffer from a condition where the starter motor cranks
slowly or not at all. On these vehicles a minimum of 7 volts
is required to activate the starter solenoid.
If the car's starting and charging system has been
inspected for proper battery voltage, cable
connections/conditions, and placement of starter heat shields
and this problem still persists, it may be necessary to
install a starter relay kit, in order to ensure that the
proper voltage gets to the starter. Bosch now offers a
complete relay kit (WR1), which consists of a wiring harness,
a relay, a 15 amp fuse and a complete set of installation
instructions.
Saab
#1: At times, 1989 Saab 900 and 9000
series cars (Bosch reman alternators AL69X, AL129X and AL54X)
can experience dead batteries. Before checking the charging
system, look at the part number on the radiator fan time-delay
relay. Radiator fan time-delay relay #95 63 339 is prone to
sticking closed, which will cause the cooling fan to run
longer than the 10 minute cool-down period, thus discharging
the battery. If the car in question is equipped with one of
these relays, replace the relay with an 85 22 10.
Saab
#2: Many early model Volkswagen, Porsche
and Saab cars (Bosch reman starters SR15X, SR17X, SR68X,
SR78X) suffer from a condition where the starter motor cranks
slowly or not at all. On these vehicles a minimum of 7 volts
is required to activate the starter solenoid.
If the car's starting and charging system has been
inspected for proper battery voltage, cable
connections/conditions, and placement of starter heat shields
and this problem still persists, it may be necessary to
install a starter relay kit, in order to ensure that the
proper voltage gets to the starter. Bosch now offers a
complete relay kit (WR1), which consists of a wiring harness,
a relay, a 15 amp fuse and a complete set of installation
instructions.
Volkswagen
#1: Volkswagens that repeatedly exhibit a
no-start or discharged battery condition may be victims of a
loose fastening nut on terminal #30 of the starter solenoid.
Any suspect Volkswagens should have all wires connected to the
#30 terminal removed and inspected for corroded or burnt
connections and cleaned as necessary. Then reconnect
previously removed wires and torque fasteners to 10 Nm (7.5
ft. lb.) and recheck the starting system (Bosch reman starters
SR15X and SR17X).
Volkswagen
#2: 1987-1993 VW Foxs can really drive
you to distraction when you know that the battery is fully
charged, all of your connections are clean and tight, you've
just replaced the starter (Bosch reman SR0406X) and it still
won't start!
What else can you check? The fuse box. That's right, there
is a wire bridge located between terminals 36 and 38 that
needs to be properly seated to assure power to the starter. By
making sure the wire bridge is securely seated, you should
have outfoxed the Fox.
Volkswagen
#3: Many early model Volkswagen, Porsche
and Saab cars (SR15X, SR17X, SR68X and SR78X) suffer from a
condition where the starter motor cranks slowly or not at all.
On these vehicles a minimum of 7 volts is required to activate
the starter solenoid.
If the car's starting and charging system has been
inspected for proper battery voltage, cable
connections/conditions, and placement of starter heat shields
and this problem still persists, it may be necessary to
install a starter relay kit, in order to ensure that the
proper voltage gets to the starter. Bosch now offers a
complete relay kit (WR1), which consists of a wiring harness,
a relay, a 15 amp fuse and a complete set of installation
instructions.
Volkswagen
#4: Seems VWs are just prone to hot-soak,
won't-start conditions. Volkswagen has recognized that
Rabbits, Golfs and Jettas from 1985 on (Bosch reman starters
SR33X, SR34X and SR82X) also suffer from a hot-soak condition
where battery voltage to the #50 terminal of the starter drops
to less than 10 volts under high underhood temperatures,
resulting in a car that won't crank.
If a complete check of the car's charging and starting
system reveals no other problems, Volkswagen suggests a VW
retrofit starter relay (141 951 253B) be installed in line
between the T1 connector of the right engine harness and the
T1 connector of the starter cable harness, which leads to the
terminal #50 of the starter solenoid. Other required
components and installation directions are available through
your VW dealer.
Volkswagen
#5: From time to time, we hear the
complaint that on some cars the SR15N (Bosch new starter)
cannot be installed properly due to an interference between
the starter solenoid and the heat exchanger/hot air box. This
condition seems especially prevalent on VW Type II and
Bus/Transporter vehicles.
Due to the age of these cars (1967-75 applications), many
of them have had the heat exchangers replaced. Bosch's
research has shown that not all aftermarket heat exchangers
are created equal to the OEM version. Whenever one of these
"won't fit" situations arises, it's usually because the heat
exchanger has been replaced. In cases like this, either the
heat exchanger will have to be replaced with an OEM type or
the aftermarket one already in place will have to be altered
to provide clearance for the starter.
Volkswagen
#6: Before changing multiple alternators
or starters in VWs equipped with A/C due to a "won't start" or
"no crank" condition, check out the radiator cooling fan.
All Volkswagen cars equipped with air conditioning (except
the Vanagon) are subject to a condition during high ambient
temperatures (105 F/41 C), where the battery is continually
drained due to the radiator fan kicking on at high speed with
the ignition shut off. It seems that under these high heat
conditions, the gas pressure of the R12 refrigerant can
activate the A/C high pressure switch and in turn, trigger the
high speed radiator fan relay to activate the cooling fan.
Volkswagen has instituted a replacement fan relay switch
(321 919 505A), which, along with some minor modification of
the A/C high pressure switch wiring, will eliminate this
problem.
Volkswagen
#7: It seems that VW did such a great job
of insulating the terminals on 1994-95 Golfs and Jettas (Bosch
reman alternators AL0185X, AL0186X, AL0181X, AL0184X) that
they inadvertently created some low/dead battery problems on
these cars.
In some cases, the eyelet connector of the wiring harness,
which connects to the B+ stud of the alternator, had just
enough extra insulation applied to it to keep it from making
good contact. This, in turn, prevents the alternator from
charging properly.
To prevent a return trip to the battery charger, VW
suggests that you disconnect the battery ground, remove the
eyelet terminal from the alternator B+ stud and remove
approximately 6mm of the insulation from the terminal. Then,
some die electric gel should be applied to the eyelet before
re-attaching to the B+ stud with a torque of 13Nm or 10 ft
lbs. Then, reattach the battery ground.
A Few Important Things to Remember
Heed these tips and you're well on your way to extending
the life of your Jaguar's electrical system components:
Tip
#1: Always keep your battery and its
connections clean to avoid clogged battery cover vents and
overtaxing your starter. This will also allow for proper
ventilation of dangerous, explosive gases from your
battery.
Tip
#2: When replacing your battery, always
buy one of the same or higher CCA rating (cold cranking amps)
as the original battery and make sure it's the same or
compatible "group size" to fit your battery tray and cable
connections.
Tip
#3: Due to the varying nature of car
electrical systems, never jump start your Jaguar using another
car that is running. Use the other vehicle's battery power
alone to start it because a 14.5 volt running system (i.e.,
GM) can seriously damage a 12.6 volt system (i.e., Jaguar) due
to the overvoltage.
Tip
#4: Start your Jaguar with the major
electrical hogs turned off - A/C, stereo, etc. - to ease the
load on your battery and starter and extend their lives.
Tip
#5: Have your Jaguar's electrical system
completely checked and tested every two years or whenever you
have it serviced for any type of driveability problem.
Your Jaguar Electrical System Maintenance Shopping
List
Here is a list of electrical system parts to check and
maintain, plus some common tools, testers and spare parts to
keep in your trunk or garage:
Check & Maintain -
Replace When Necessary: Battery (cleanliness,
connections and up to charge) Alternator (charging
properly, connections and belt tension) Starter
(cleanliness and good connections) All cables &
connections, especially ground (remove rust &
corrosion)
Common Tools, Testers
∓ Spare Parts to Keep on Hand: DVOM
(digital volt-ohmmeter) Ammeter (for testing circuit
load) Battery post cleaner brush or tool Battery charger
(w/overcharge protection) Spare fuses of all sizes in
car Crimp-on wire connector kit w/crimping tool Quality
electrical tape (for good isolation and insulation) Repair
manual with electrical schematic |